does anyone rebuild Steering columns?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Oct 20, 2005 | 01:08 AM

Chuck-75

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Jun 2000

Posts: 176

Likes: 0

From: Bakersfield CA.

does anyone rebuild Steering columns?

Im in the middle of a Engine Swap and so far the old is out and during this time that I have room to sit in the inside of the engine compartment Im replacing the steering box, the brake buster and detailing the engine compartment. now Ive found out that my lower column shaft has a lot of play, Ive recieved new lower bearings but cant figure out how to remove the lower bearing?, so Im at the point to try to find a shop that is in the business of rebuilding the 75 Tilt and tele steering column. can anyone recomend a repuitible shop?.
thanks in advance.
cant wait to be back on the road.
save the wave

Oct 20, 2005 | 08:15 AM

Jim Shea

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 6,001

Likes: 113

From: Saginaw Michigan

Typically, you would have to remove the column from the car to gain access to the lower bearing. With the engine out of the car, it ought to be fairly easy to replace the lower bearing unless you have a big mass of rust down there.

The lower bearing is just held in place by a wire clip and a retainer. The following link shows how they assemble into the steering column.

http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/T&TDisasmInstrPage3.doc

With age and use, the T&T steering column has an annoying tendency for the screws that hold the upper tilt head to become loose. You might want to conduct a couple quick tests to determine if the column needs to be disassembled to tighten those screws. The test can be conducted with the column still bolted in the car (it doesn't need to be connected to the steering gear however.) If the tilt head is loose, you might want to send it out for refurbishing since the procedure is somewhat involved.

Here is the link for the quick tests:
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/T&TColumnD&R121AU05.doc

One company that specializes in rebuilding steering columns is at: www.columnsgalore.com in New York. They are quite good but not cheap! There are other people that have posted on the Forum that also do this type service as well.

Jim

Oct 20, 2005 | 09:33 AM

Grinchia

Pro

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 641

Likes: 2

From: Storm lake Iowa

A forum mamber named Pinky does this work...

Oct 20, 2005 | 09:51 AM

ImBatman

Safety Car

Joined: Oct 2000

Posts: 4,282

Likes: 172

From: Lake Wylie, South Carolina

Listen to Jim he walked me through rebuilding mine and it was not that hard at all. The bearing does come out the bottom after you remove the clip but as Jim mentioned rust and road grime will make it hard to come out.

Good Luck!!!

Oct 20, 2005 | 02:51 PM

ShaneLU97

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 1,677

Likes: 1

From: Potomac Falls VA

When I did my steeroids install a few weeks ago, I replaced the lower column bearing as well. Clip ad stuff came off easily but the bearing itself did NOT want to come out. After trying everything I could think off I went with the dremel. I *very carefully*, sssllloowwwwlllyyyy cut through the bearing. I even had to do it in two places to get it off it was so badly rusted/gunked on.

Once you get that off, you may need to clean the column *rreally* *really* well to get the new one on. I basically had to use a a rust disolvant and some very very fine grain sandpaper to get it clean and get the new bearing on.

Oct 31, 2005 | 02:39 AM

Chuck-75

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Jun 2000

Posts: 176

Likes: 0

From: Bakersfield CA.

Thanks for all the input guys, I finaly decided to pull the column and send it out to Columns Galore for the rebuild, I only want to do this once and while I have my engine out and am installing a new steering box this will complete my front suspension 100%, thanks for the advice again.
Shanelu97-nice,mine is a 75 same ext,with blk int.Blk soft&hardtop with Hooker sidepipes and 76 rally wheels, I like those wheels you have there.

Oct 31, 2005 | 09:32 AM

lil75vette

Racer

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 460

Likes: 0

From: Point Pleasant NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck-75

if you could, let me know how much the rebiuld costs. I have a 75 blk tilt/tel and the top portion, that tilts have ALOT of play in it. I will try those quick checks first though...