Tilt Lever
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Houston Texas
Tilt Lever
I have a 1977 and of course it has tilt steering wheel.
The tilt lever has come off and the end is threaded. The
spot where the lever goes in was either threaded and stripped or there was a bolt of some kind on the back side of this hole. Has any one ever tried to replace this lever and had the same type of problem The tilt still works but the lever will fall out. Any ideas?
The tilt lever has come off and the end is threaded. The
spot where the lever goes in was either threaded and stripped or there was a bolt of some kind on the back side of this hole. Has any one ever tried to replace this lever and had the same type of problem The tilt still works but the lever will fall out. Any ideas?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
The tilt shoe release lever inside the T&T head is constructed from fairly heavy gage metal and has a tapped hole for the tilt lever rod to screw into. I am surprised that its threads are stripped. I wonder if the threads on the tilt lever rod might just be bad. Possibly a new tilt lever rod might fix your problem. They are available from many suppliers. (Hopefully your 1977 Vette doesn't have the extremely rare cruise control option - that one year only had the cruise on-off button on the end of the tilt lever rod and is nearly impossible to find.)
If your problem are stripped female threads that are part of the internal tilt shoe release lever. I have found a replacement part.
A 1977-82 replacement Tilt Lock Shoe Release Lever is listed on Dr Rebuild's websight - #6521156. His is the only place that I could find that lists it. His websight does not have up to date prices. Hopefully it is still available.
In order to replace the lever, a major disassembly of the T&T head will be required. My Disassembly & Repair Papers don't directly address replacing the lever but there is sufficient information to get the job done. I can supply some additional information on the procedure if you want to tackle it. Also, any further questions can be addressed right here.
One other thing, since you will have most of the head disassembled, you will be able to locktite and retighten the four internal screws that hold the T&T head to the rest of the column. Loosening of the four screws is a common T&T problem.
Jim
If your problem are stripped female threads that are part of the internal tilt shoe release lever. I have found a replacement part.
A 1977-82 replacement Tilt Lock Shoe Release Lever is listed on Dr Rebuild's websight - #6521156. His is the only place that I could find that lists it. His websight does not have up to date prices. Hopefully it is still available.
In order to replace the lever, a major disassembly of the T&T head will be required. My Disassembly & Repair Papers don't directly address replacing the lever but there is sufficient information to get the job done. I can supply some additional information on the procedure if you want to tackle it. Also, any further questions can be addressed right here.
One other thing, since you will have most of the head disassembled, you will be able to locktite and retighten the four internal screws that hold the T&T head to the rest of the column. Loosening of the four screws is a common T&T problem.
Jim
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 83
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From: Houston Texas
Jim
Thanks for the quick response. Unfortunately I do have the "rare" cruise control and I refuse to pay the asking price for a replacement lever. I did buy a non cruise lever and will try to make it work.
Thanks for the quick response. Unfortunately I do have the "rare" cruise control and I refuse to pay the asking price for a replacement lever. I did buy a non cruise lever and will try to make it work.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Just to keep things from getting confused. I will call the internal T&T steering column tilt shoe part a LEVER. The external part that you pull on to release the tilt mechanism, I will call a rod.
So it sounds as if it is the male threads on your tilt and cruise control rod that are stripped not the female threads on the tilt shoe lever inside the column.
Any of the numereous tilt rods used in Corvette T&T columns and/or virtually any other GM tilt column rods should screw right into your tilt shoe lever. But you will have to jury rig a new cruise on-off switch.
Jim
So it sounds as if it is the male threads on your tilt and cruise control rod that are stripped not the female threads on the tilt shoe lever inside the column.
Any of the numereous tilt rods used in Corvette T&T columns and/or virtually any other GM tilt column rods should screw right into your tilt shoe lever. But you will have to jury rig a new cruise on-off switch.
Jim
