Steering Column Problems
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Bossier City Louisiana
Steering Column Problems
Trying to resolve some steering column issues on my '73 tilt-telescoping steering column. I have read from various manuals but they don't clearly address my questions. So here goes . . .
1. With the tires pointing straight ahead, the steering wheel is upside down or 180 degrees off. In other words, the tilt lock is on bottom and the 3rd spoke, that should be pointed down when in the straight-ahead position, is pointed up. Question: Can the mounting hub be removed and rotated 180 degrees to correct this or will it mount only one way?
2. The keyed cylinder lock will not lock the steering column. Can someone explain how the steering wheel locking mechanism works? Here are the problems I am having with the lock: (a) The ignition key will not click into the lock position, thus the steering wheel will not lock. (b) Since the key will not move into the lock position, I cannot remove the key.
Can these problems be corrected without removing the column from the car? Every steering component on the car is new except the column. I really don't want to replace it if I don't have to.
I know the column is complicated so I don't expect easy fixes but any comments would be appreciated.
1. With the tires pointing straight ahead, the steering wheel is upside down or 180 degrees off. In other words, the tilt lock is on bottom and the 3rd spoke, that should be pointed down when in the straight-ahead position, is pointed up. Question: Can the mounting hub be removed and rotated 180 degrees to correct this or will it mount only one way?
2. The keyed cylinder lock will not lock the steering column. Can someone explain how the steering wheel locking mechanism works? Here are the problems I am having with the lock: (a) The ignition key will not click into the lock position, thus the steering wheel will not lock. (b) Since the key will not move into the lock position, I cannot remove the key.
Can these problems be corrected without removing the column from the car? Every steering component on the car is new except the column. I really don't want to replace it if I don't have to.
I know the column is complicated so I don't expect easy fixes but any comments would be appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,638
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Check out Jim Shea's tech articles, you'll find the answer here. Or Jim will chime in.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?page_id=4
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?page_id=4
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 111
From: Saginaw Michigan
Here is a paper on steering wheel centering. It takes you through a procedure, step by step.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...Rev18MY061.doc
There is a General Motors system that connects the transmission to the steering column. It prevents you from locking your steering column unless your manual transmission is in REVERSE or your automatic transmission is in PARK. There is a lever on the lower end of your steering column (out in the engine compartment under the brake booster.) That lever should be connected to a cable that attaches to the transmission. That cable should push the lever on the steering column all the way to the UP position. With the lever UP, it opens a gate up inside the steering column that allows you to rotate your ignition key and the lock cylinder all the way to OFF-LOCK and ACCESSORY.
Here is another paper. This one on the General Motors steering column/transmission shift interlock system.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...tems27JL04.doc
Jim
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...Rev18MY061.doc
There is a General Motors system that connects the transmission to the steering column. It prevents you from locking your steering column unless your manual transmission is in REVERSE or your automatic transmission is in PARK. There is a lever on the lower end of your steering column (out in the engine compartment under the brake booster.) That lever should be connected to a cable that attaches to the transmission. That cable should push the lever on the steering column all the way to the UP position. With the lever UP, it opens a gate up inside the steering column that allows you to rotate your ignition key and the lock cylinder all the way to OFF-LOCK and ACCESSORY.
Here is another paper. This one on the General Motors steering column/transmission shift interlock system.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...tems27JL04.doc
Jim
