How to drop '72 Steering column??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 161
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How to drop '72 Steering column??
Sorry, but I've searched the threads...and found some really complicated information about sterring column removal...
I'm trying to remove my dash panel to get at the speedo/tach...
Everybody says it's easier if you drop the steering column (many threads) but I can't figure out how to do it? I do NOT have tilt/cruise.... is this an easy few step process. I downloaded some of the stuff I found but it doesn't look like mine.
Besides the flexible coupler and the bolts under the dash holding it up, are there other things in my way. Not trying to remove it, just trying to get enough room to get the speedo and tach out. Appreciate any help !!!
I'm trying to remove my dash panel to get at the speedo/tach...
Everybody says it's easier if you drop the steering column (many threads) but I can't figure out how to do it? I do NOT have tilt/cruise.... is this an easy few step process. I downloaded some of the stuff I found but it doesn't look like mine.
Besides the flexible coupler and the bolts under the dash holding it up, are there other things in my way. Not trying to remove it, just trying to get enough room to get the speedo and tach out. Appreciate any help !!!
Last edited by 72TTop; Apr 15, 2006 at 06:45 PM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 431
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From: Oita, Japan
You will also have to loosen the 2 bolts on the firewall. There is a really good paper at www.corvettefaq.com by Jim Shea (I think) that covers it really well. Its part 2 of his 3 part steering column rebuild papers. I think the shop manual covers it pretty well also.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 161
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thanks, i had read the shea document...
but, sadly i'm not a mechanic and some of what he says makes no sense to me. He references a "back drive lever" and unhooking the clutch spring...etc. Maybe all that is necessary for removal, but i just wanna drop this sucker a few inches? And while he references and makes a big deal of the back drive lever, he doesn't show it or say what it is/does...? and he talks about a cable that is used for reverse, (on a manual transmission) and that confused me too...
so i don't know if all of his steps are needed if you are not removing the column?
but, sadly i'm not a mechanic and some of what he says makes no sense to me. He references a "back drive lever" and unhooking the clutch spring...etc. Maybe all that is necessary for removal, but i just wanna drop this sucker a few inches? And while he references and makes a big deal of the back drive lever, he doesn't show it or say what it is/does...? and he talks about a cable that is used for reverse, (on a manual transmission) and that confused me too...
so i don't know if all of his steps are needed if you are not removing the column?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
The thing you want to remember is that the steering column is supported at three points. The vertical screws right up under the dash; the plate down on the dash near your feet; and out at the flexible coupling on the steering gear.
If all you do is remove the two vertical screws, the steering column is just "hanging" under the instrument cluster by the floor mount and the flex coupling. This puts a very high load on the steering column lower bearing out under the hood and can ruin it.
That is why the best approach is to loosen or remove the two nuts that hold the lower plate to the dash before removing the two vertical screws.
You can probably get away with allowing the column to drop a couple inches down from the dash. However, I would make sure that it is resting on something (or have someone hold it) so that is isn't just hanging there.
Jim
If all you do is remove the two vertical screws, the steering column is just "hanging" under the instrument cluster by the floor mount and the flex coupling. This puts a very high load on the steering column lower bearing out under the hood and can ruin it.
That is why the best approach is to loosen or remove the two nuts that hold the lower plate to the dash before removing the two vertical screws.
You can probably get away with allowing the column to drop a couple inches down from the dash. However, I would make sure that it is resting on something (or have someone hold it) so that is isn't just hanging there.
Jim
