Steering Column Questions
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 18
Likes: 5
From: North Dakota
Steering Column Questions
Hello, as I said in my intro, I don't own a Corvette, but I own a few Big Bud tractors that have the tilt-telescopic steering column from Corvettes, the dealer/factory said "go to a GM dealer", the GM dealer basically said "Go away", and a few months of googling(and finding conflicting information) and a week of disassembling a well worn steering column later, I am here.
As of right now, the questions I have on them are:
1. What parts are specific only to a corvette on the steering column?
2. On the blinker assembly: are the wires soldered on or are they removable connectors? (with 40 years of dust build up, I can't tell).
3. What is the second smaller rod operated switch, next to the ignition switch?(towards the bottom of the column)
4. What are the numbers for those mentioned in #3? Googling is bringing up multiple numbers.
5. Why do the keys say "Briggs & Stratton"? (edit: as in they do not say GM or anything, Just B&S)
Thank you.
As of right now, the questions I have on them are:
1. What parts are specific only to a corvette on the steering column?
2. On the blinker assembly: are the wires soldered on or are they removable connectors? (with 40 years of dust build up, I can't tell).
3. What is the second smaller rod operated switch, next to the ignition switch?(towards the bottom of the column)
4. What are the numbers for those mentioned in #3? Googling is bringing up multiple numbers.
5. Why do the keys say "Briggs & Stratton"? (edit: as in they do not say GM or anything, Just B&S)
Thank you.
Last edited by TheGleaner; May 2, 2022 at 07:00 PM.
Race Director
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Have no Bloody idea about tractors. What year Corvette column do you have? Might help.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
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From: Virginia
Photos always help! Someone might recognize the year from the photo, or recognize what is different.
Jim Shea's papers might help you, if you dive in. Corvettes are "Y-Bodies".
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/
If you find something interesting, please let us know!
Jim Shea's papers might help you, if you dive in. Corvettes are "Y-Bodies".
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/
If you find something interesting, please let us know!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,326
Likes: 721
From: Marietta GA
Look at various Corvette Vendor Catalogs, some have detailed exploded/illustrations of steering wheel assemblies. Also Google Jim Shea as he has excellent papers on GM Steering Column rebuilding.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 18
Likes: 5
From: North Dakota
Photos always help! Someone might recognize the year from the photo, or recognize what is different.
Jim Shea's papers might help you, if you dive in. Corvettes are "Y-Bodies".
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/
If you find something interesting, please let us know!
Jim Shea's papers might help you, if you dive in. Corvettes are "Y-Bodies".
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/
If you find something interesting, please let us know!
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
The placement of the wiper/dimmer switch pictured is 1977 and later column but the steering wheel and telescopic mechanism is 1976.
No idea why this column would have a Briggs & Stratton key.
Cheers, Greg
No idea why this column would have a Briggs & Stratton key.
Cheers, Greg
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 18
Likes: 5
From: North Dakota
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Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Palm Springs, CA.
Yes, I think I would start there. The turn signal switch wires are going to be fixed in place. They are not removable. If the switch needs replacement it comes with the attached wire harness.
I'm not sure what you mean by the "second smaller rod operated switch next to the ignition switch". Can you post a picture of it please. Does this column have steering lock and the ignition in the column?
I'm not sure what you mean by the "second smaller rod operated switch next to the ignition switch". Can you post a picture of it please. Does this column have steering lock and the ignition in the column?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 18
Likes: 5
From: North Dakota
Yes, I think I would start there. The turn signal switch wires are going to be fixed in place. They are not removable. If the switch needs replacement it comes with the attached wire harness.
I'm not sure what you mean by the "second smaller rod operated switch next to the ignition switch". Can you post a picture of it please. Does this column have steering lock and the ignition in the column?
I'm not sure what you mean by the "second smaller rod operated switch next to the ignition switch". Can you post a picture of it please. Does this column have steering lock and the ignition in the column?
Thanks for the info on the turn switch. The other side of those wires go into an "amp" style connector so I have been unable to fully remove a few parts for cleaning due to that.
The dimmer switch, I have found out(as in the actual switch(s)) lower on the column, is what it is. Yes the key/tumbler/ignition cylinder is in the column, yes it has steering lock.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,694
Likes: 833
From: WI
The other 'rod' is the tilt function for the steering wheel. ...Is that what you wanted to know? They used these columns on other GM vehicles too as I recall in the late 70's and early 80's, not just corvettes. B & G-body cars among others ...probably some f-bodies.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 18
Likes: 5
From: North Dakota
The other rod in Question went to this after it fell out of wherever it was connected to.
A question about the starting switch(the actual sliding switch): WD-40 "good enough" to lubricate the rollers inside it? I took it apart, cleaned itx and put it back together, but when I did take it apart, it appears there was some type of grease long ago inside it. Or I should say, what should be used to lubricate it?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 271
Likes: 120
From: Rock Hill South Carolina
The “other” rod is for the high beam switch. The ignition and high beam switches are mounted side by side on the bottom of the column and are connected to the controls via rods. You can confirm this by pulling the turn signal switch toward you and watching the rod move.
I concur that it looks like a 77 column with the 76 “Vega” style wheel. 77 was a one year only column - you’ll find some parts, but not others. Good luck on your hunt!
I concur that it looks like a 77 column with the 76 “Vega” style wheel. 77 was a one year only column - you’ll find some parts, but not others. Good luck on your hunt!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 18
Likes: 5
From: North Dakota
Steering wheel question and dimmer adjustment
So I had it completely apart, mostly clean, bearings repacked and just about all together again but:
Is the steering wheel keyed, as I does it go on the shaft any which way or does I only go one way? To me it doesn't appear to be, but it definitely does not want to go back on either.
How do you adjust the dimmer switch? It clicks like a new one off the column but I can't seem to get it to click on the column and connected to the linkage.
Is the steering wheel keyed, as I does it go on the shaft any which way or does I only go one way? To me it doesn't appear to be, but it definitely does not want to go back on either.
How do you adjust the dimmer switch? It clicks like a new one off the column but I can't seem to get it to click on the column and connected to the linkage.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
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From: Virginia
Isn't the dimmer lever attached to a bar linkage that slides or rotates part of the switch? I think the adjustment is in how you attach the switch to the top of the steering column. The slotted holes it bolts to are the adjustment.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 18
Likes: 5
From: North Dakota
Well, yes, but I can't seem to find the spot where it will click more than once.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 271
Likes: 120
From: Rock Hill South Carolina
Adjusting the dimmer switch has caused me more irritation than you would believe. I’d get it set up just right with the column out of the car, but once I installed the column again it wouldn’t click. Maybe I bumped it going in, who knows… anyway, I finally ended up bending the bolt slot tangs of the switch mount slightly once I had it adjusted to keep it in place. That seemed to work. I did that instead of cranking on those little switch retainer bolts, didn’t want to strip them.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
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From: Virginia
I stumbled upon a partial answer to your Briggs and Stratton key question.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-stratton.html
Turns out we've all been driving riding lawn mowers and/or tractors.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-stratton.html
Turns out we've all been driving riding lawn mowers and/or tractors.
