1968 Steering Coloumn Issue (Telescopic)
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Oslo, Norway
1968 Steering Coloumn Issue (Telescopic)
Hi folks, I’m new to the forum and thought I’d post my issue here after trying my luck on Facebook.
I recently acquired this 1968 327 with a telescopic steering wheel. The previous owner had an aftermarket steering wheel on it, so I decided to replace it with the original one.
However, after reinstalling everything using Jim Shea’s Corvette steering papers, I’m left with this issue. Any knowledgeable folks here who can point out what’s wrong and what needs to be done?
Please view the video I have uploaded on Youtube by clicking here:
I recently acquired this 1968 327 with a telescopic steering wheel. The previous owner had an aftermarket steering wheel on it, so I decided to replace it with the original one.
However, after reinstalling everything using Jim Shea’s Corvette steering papers, I’m left with this issue. Any knowledgeable folks here who can point out what’s wrong and what needs to be done?
Please view the video I have uploaded on Youtube by clicking here:
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Oslo, Norway
If I understood the post correctly, the thread starter had the same issue as I did, and the upper bearing was the problem — the bearing not attaching to the part below the steering wheel hub?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,964
Likes: 579
From: Pittsburgh PA
sorry yes ignore my first reply i completely did not see what was happening in your video. i don't think there is any actual upper bearing retainer on the 68, its more or less peened into place. from Jim Shea's paper this is the part relevant to you
Replace or Repair Upper Column Bearing
The bearing that is part of the upper bearing housing #4 was not designed to be serviced. It was a press fit into the die casting and there was a thin lip on the housing bore that was staked or spun over to retain the bearing. The bearing has been known to come loose. If this is the problem that you are correcting, you can try to epoxy glue the bearing case into the housing bore. You can also attempt to carefully peen limited areas of the case over on the bearing.
thinking back on my car now, i believe i tried to peen the edges and it did not work, i ended up using a little bit of jb weld to hold the bearing in place
Replace or Repair Upper Column Bearing
The bearing that is part of the upper bearing housing #4 was not designed to be serviced. It was a press fit into the die casting and there was a thin lip on the housing bore that was staked or spun over to retain the bearing. The bearing has been known to come loose. If this is the problem that you are correcting, you can try to epoxy glue the bearing case into the housing bore. You can also attempt to carefully peen limited areas of the case over on the bearing.
thinking back on my car now, i believe i tried to peen the edges and it did not work, i ended up using a little bit of jb weld to hold the bearing in place
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Oslo, Norway
Based on the fact that the 68 has a press-fit bearing into the die casting, I believe it cannot be replaced or serviced?
"Replace or Repair Upper Column Bearing
The bearing that is part of the upper bearing housing #4 was not designed to be serviced. It was a press fit into the die casting and there was a thin lip on the housing bore that was staked or spun over to retain the bearing. The bearing has been known to come loose. If this is the problem that you are correcting, you can try to epoxy glue the bearing case into the housing bore. You can also attempt to carefully peen limited areas of the case over on the bearing."
"Replace or Repair Upper Column Bearing
The bearing that is part of the upper bearing housing #4 was not designed to be serviced. It was a press fit into the die casting and there was a thin lip on the housing bore that was staked or spun over to retain the bearing. The bearing has been known to come loose. If this is the problem that you are correcting, you can try to epoxy glue the bearing case into the housing bore. You can also attempt to carefully peen limited areas of the case over on the bearing."
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,121
Likes: 9,435
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
I have read on here of people carefully drilling and tapping for set screws, or epoxying them back together. The 67-68 Corviar used the same one.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,964
Likes: 579
From: Pittsburgh PA
yes, assuming it is still good. it looks like it pulled out of the hub. common after years as there is no retainer. mine would just pop right back in with proper alignment. play around with it figure out how to get it to pop back in, then just get some epoxy to glue it to hub and pop it in let it sit
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Oslo, Norway
I see, thanks for taking the time to reply.
So basically, I can remove the steering wheel, realign the hub, press it firmly onto the bearing, then install the washer and nut — and just hope it works? I mean, I only had to reinstall the steering wheel after realizing the washer was missing before the nut. It was working perfectly fine before that... I guess I’m just unlucky.
So basically, I can remove the steering wheel, realign the hub, press it firmly onto the bearing, then install the washer and nut — and just hope it works? I mean, I only had to reinstall the steering wheel after realizing the washer was missing before the nut. It was working perfectly fine before that... I guess I’m just unlucky.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,121
Likes: 9,435
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
No you need to affix the bearing race back into the retainer. Original it was pressed and peened over. Now it pulled out. You need to epoxy it back in place or drill and tap for set screw or find a good used one. Standard and tele column used the same one. And so did Corviars
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,753
Likes: 721
From: Lafayette Louisiana
When I rebuilt my 68 tele, I peened the top of the die casting over the bearing with a punch in 3 or 4 places. Lots of ways to do this. Also followed Jim Shea's papers, the only and excellent source I know of. 68 tele's are one year only and hard to find and expensive when you do find one as you know. Hope I find another one day.
IMHO: "I guess I’m just unlucky." No; just typical C3 experience I would say, LOL's!
IMHO: "I guess I’m just unlucky." No; just typical C3 experience I would say, LOL's!
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Oslo, Norway
Sounds like a decent way to fix the issue. I suppose if I ever need to replace the column, I would have to opt for an aftermarket one - or isn't that an alternative, given that the '68 column is different from all the other years?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,121
Likes: 9,435
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist