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I went out today to do some spring work on my 76, put the key in, turned it - nothing happened. I realized that the ignition switch had no tension on it whatsoever. SO fantastic, got the column out and started to tear it down, and found my culprit.
I know this component is readily available, but then I found more pieces.
It turns out this entire cast piece is cracked, and I'm not sure what it is called, if it is reproduced, or how to get the shaft out to even get this item off.
This is the first time I have dug this far into the column, right around this point is where it gets vague in the old Haynes manual.
Any assistance would be appreciated.
I see you have the end cap already off , is the bearing still on the shaft at the bottom ? If so polish the end of the shaft so the bearing can slip up the shaft and away,be careful not to crack the plastic holder that bearing sits in .I usually destroy the bearing getting it off as a new one is available and they're usually worn out and feel notchy anyway.
The whole inner (turning) shaft will come out the top end easy after that . Then there are four bolts in the bottom of your "cracked piece " that hold it onto the inner column .
Last edited by bazza77; Apr 14, 2021 at 07:07 PM.
Reason: saw the cap on the work bench after writing a how to .
I did manage to get the lower bearing off - by slitting it with a die grinder and snapping it with a cold chisel. I see all those parts are available so that's not a huge concern.
Do you happen to know what that cast piece is called? It is what the tilt pins are driven into.
Last edited by bluthundr; Apr 14, 2021 at 09:52 PM.
Its the tilt knuckle. You can use one that's in a tilt Tele from 1969 to the 1989 c4. The later ones are more reinforced and will work fine. They just have a cutout for the high beam rod to go through on about 1977 and later. You need also to check the bores on the bearing housing. If they go in with no restance or you can move them at all you need to get oversize tilt pins. Usually the left side is sloppy.
FYI - I got of the phone with Zip and they said no one is currently making the ignition switch rack piece for 76 and prior T/T columns. They have them for 77-82, but it has less teeth and if your try to use it, it will not actuate the ignition switch rod all the way to the start position so it wont work.
Looks like my original column is going in a box for now and looking at an aftermarket for the season. :-(
Can anyone confirm what the length is of the original column? There is no point reassembling mine just to measure it right now.
Last edited by bluthundr; Apr 15, 2021 at 11:17 AM.
76 T/T Column Woes
