I have been asked by quite a few people how to remove a column.

I am no Jim Shea (Jims steering papers on www.corvettefaq.com will give you the fully comprehensive guide on what to do).

Here is my one page summary on getting a column out.

You need two people to do this. This procedure is for manual cars around the 69-70ish era.

Inside engine bay
Remove the two nuts that hold the steering column flange to the rag joint. Also remove the washers behind the nuts.
Pull mickey mouse clip of the reverse lockout cable that holds it to the bracket bolted to the steering column.
Pull out split pin and take washer of the end of the reverse lockout lever/cable interface (its on the steering column near the firewall on the outside)

Inside car
Disconnect battery.
You don't have to remove the wheel but it does give more room to move. To do this remove the horn button. The horn button switch (3 screws). Then unbolt the wheel with the SIX (6) screws.
Remove the trim panel under the column (looks like a "T" piece of plastic) with the three screws that hold on.
Try to ease vaccum lines/wiring etc out of the way under the column.
At the firewall inside there is a plastic cover with grommets holding the carpet in. Remove the plastic cover.
There are two nuts that attach to bolts holding the base of the column to the firewall, the other side of the firewall is the steel bracket that holds the reverse lockout lever. The firewall is sandwiched between the bracket and the bracket on the column. Remove the two nuts. One is attached to a stud, the other bolt will move around so get someone to push in from the engine bay side so it is not loose and you can get the nut off.

Inside Engine Bay
Remove the Lockout lever braket. Puill on it. One bolt will come out, the other bolt is a stud on that plate.

Inside Car
Whilst supporting the wheel on your lap loosen the TWO bolts that fasten the column to the dash. The column will want to drop, don't let it yet. You need to guide it past the tabs of the dash where the "tee" peice screws on (also where the vacumm overide sits) else you will break them of. Once you are past the tabs you can now look to disconnect the ignition switch (not the lock and key) which is about 3/4 down the column. You need to find the squeeze release tabs on the connector. Two plugs go into the white connector. One will plug traps the other in the connector. You also need to disconnect the turn signal/hazard harness which is a black connector that is mounted on the column. There is a squeeze tab located on the centre of that connector that will stop you from pulling it off.
Now everything is disconnected but you have to get it out.

Inside Engine Bay
Support the end of the column by the flange (metal bracket on end of steering column shaft). Guide the flange to the firewall and through the firewall hole.

Inside Car
Start pulling the column towards you.The other end will need to be supported by your helper. Go slow so you don't jam their fingers in the firewall hole! You will get to a point where the flange needs to go throught the firewall. It does fit. Once through you need to negotiate the pedals with the brackets on the column. Just take it slow and it will come out.

All done. It sounds hard but if you take you time it is easy.
I have had to this 5 times in the last year. I can swap one out in 20 minutes now.

Cheers,

Pete

 

Thanks for the good info. I'm going to print out your article and save it in my collection.

I have some mild interest in replacing my 1968 fixed steering column with a tilt repro made by Flaming River. So, I've often wondered how much trouble it'd be to remove the original column.

 

I really don't like the flaming river column as a replacement for a Vette column. I can understand why guys put them in hotrods and such. They don't have the brackets welded to the column and they don't have a crush sleeve. In case of an accident I cannot see how it will not stop the column going though your stomach.

Glad the info was helpful.

Pete

 

Thanks a ton Pete!!! I am very close to yanking out my standard column and installing a T&T in my Vette. Next month for sure. They are pricey (over $500), but they make getting in and out MUCH easier than trying to slide under that wheel. Thanks a ton for posting the details on the removal. You answered all the questions I had in my mind about getting it out. I will be doing the conversion to stick shift pedals at the same time, since it'll be a lot easier to mess with with the column out.

Gratefully,
Dep

 

What's a decent price for a TT column....and where can you source one? Besides the company that you PMed me about stingry.

Brett

 

Brett: Only place I know of that has them for sure is Contemporary Corvette. Theirs are $500.

Let me know if you find another source.

Dep

 

Thanks for the reply. I didn't know that the Flaming River repro columns didn't have a crush tube (like the stock Corvette columns had.)
I'd really like to have the crush tube protection as a minimum.

 

Planning on some demolition derby driving?

My my my...what did all of us old geezers do before Uncle Sammie started to take such special care of us? I remember when steering wheels had a steel topedo in the center pointed straight at your chest.
Funny how so many of survived accidents in those cars.

Dep

 

It is one thing to own a GM vehicle built before 1967 that did NOT have the technology to absorb energy and/or have the steering column collapse in a severe frontal collision.

It is another thing to REMOVE that technology and replace it with a rigid system that eliminates the protection.

Jim

 

Depends on what you are doing with the vehicle. I don't drive on the street, so a collapable steering column is like a chrome plated gas pedal.


Dep

 

Dep,

I called Contemp about a month ago. That $500 price on the web is $650 when you call them and they are NOT rebuilt.

The going rate for a used TT Columns from my research is about $450-$500 for a private sale, $650-$750 for a dealer. Big swap meets I have seen them as low as $300.

For a rebuilt column the price is about $850-$1000.

If people can find them cheaper then that would be great.

Pete

 

Hi Pete,
I called them 10 minutes ago. They have NONE in stock and don't know if they can get any. Guy told me if they had them the price would be $1000+.
I am checking into a Flaming River column for mine. Screw the telescopic/collapsible stuff...I just want a tilt column so I don't have to be a contortionist to get in the car.

Dep

 

Well crap!!! Got an e-mail back from Flaming River and their columns won't work on '72 cars. Only up to 1968

Bummer.

Dep

 

Surely someone makes a replacement column!

Brett

 

I sure hope so! Flaming River said the column for the '72 mounts differently and has no provision for an ignition switch in the steering column. I wrote back and told then I'd gladly take the column WITHOUT the iginition switch if it would fit. I'll mount a dang toggle on the dashboard with a pushbutton if I have too!!!

I also asked them if they would be making a tilt column in the future for cars like mine. Here's their reply:

Dear Mike,
We highly doubt that we will offer a column for the later model year Corvettes, due to the fact that we do not offer a key in the column, and that, Corvette owners are very particular about keeping their cars original, therefore, there would not be much of a demand for them.

Best Regards,
Tech Dept.
Flaming River Ind.
800-648-8022
------------------------
I could care LESS about "original". I just want to be able to get In the dang car without twisting myself into a pretzel

Dep

 

Didn't a recent post on this forum mention that the steering column on our cars was identical to the ones on a Caprice of the same vintage? I'm not sure how many Caprice owners bought the T/T option, but this might be another possibility.

 

Jon: If you could reference that thread, I'd sure appreciate it!!!
I mean post the address

Dep

 

As an update...Flaming River contacted me today and those folks sound like they REALLY want to help me out!!!!

Here's what they said:

Dear Mike,
If you're still interested in a column, please measure from the top of the turn signal housing, down to the tip of the shaft that comes out of the end of the column, along with a tube diameter measurement, and we'll see what we can do for you.

Best Regards,
Tech Dept.
Flaming River Ind.
800-648-8022
------------------------------
Not often a company will go the extra distance for you. Two thumbs up for Flaming River

I have a couple of forum members looking for factory T&T columns, and I been doing some searching myself at local Corvette restoration centers around my area. It's nice to know that Flaming River is there if I have no luck in my search

Dep

 

I been haunting E-Bay looking for a T&T steering column worth buying. Found two and bought one of them. Cost me $750, but it is already rebuilt and the dang thing looks and performs like it is brand new. Got it from this place:
http://stores.ebay.com/Dynamic-Corvettes

I talked to a gentleman named Jason and he was very helpful. Column arrived today and was packaged VERY well. Nearly sliced off my finger uncrating it
They don't have any T&T columns in stock now, but they WILL put your name on a list and give you first shot at the next one they get.
Nice people to do business with.

Dep
Mike Bonomo

 

Glad you found one. They are out there you just have to shop around.

Pete