Tilt tele column question.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 331
Likes: 1
Tilt tele column question.
Just bought a used tele / tilt column for my 70 Vette. Upon inspection I found that the splined shaft that mates to the steering box via. a rag joint is bent just above the splines. My friend who owns a auto body / repair shop says since the rag joint has some flex to it that the bend might not make a difference but I dont want to take the old one out and then find the bent shaft is a problem.
Anyone know where to find one of these shafts?
Anyone know where to find one of these shafts?
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
I'm sorry I can't help you with your problem, but maybe you can help me. I have a bid in on Ebay for a tilt-tele steering column but I'm not sure what it's worth. It was removed from a 75 but needs painting. I plan to put it on a 69.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,991
Likes: 3
From: Piscataway NJ
Repacing that shaft is not easy. A bent shaft will reek havock with the lower bearing. Finding another shaft will be a chore itself. Hate to show the doom and gloom side but you may luck out. Thank ebay for the prices these columns are going for.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
For a 1969 through 1976 T&T steering column:
From the very end (the detachable flange end) to the centerline of the tilt yoke the overall shaft assembly length should be 31.015 inches. I don't have the information on the length of just the lower shaft.
I'm sorry but I don't have any information on steering shafts that are for sale. The above posting is very correct. A bent steering shaft will very quickly cause the flexible coupling and/or the lower column bearing to fail.
Jim
From the very end (the detachable flange end) to the centerline of the tilt yoke the overall shaft assembly length should be 31.015 inches. I don't have the information on the length of just the lower shaft.
I'm sorry but I don't have any information on steering shafts that are for sale. The above posting is very correct. A bent steering shaft will very quickly cause the flexible coupling and/or the lower column bearing to fail.
Jim
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: Onley VA
Don't toss it yet. Have your body shop buddy try to straighten it out. If his shop is well equiped he should have hydraulic rams, frame staightening equipment, welding, ect. If he has a chassis jig used for frame repairs it might work. Put an old rag joint on to protect the splines and have at it. If this is not possible (I don't know how bad it is) you can cut out the bent section and weld in a filler piece.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
I have complete instructions on disassambly of the T&T steering column so that you can remove the steering shaft and straighten it. (You will need to disassemble the column head because the steering shaft must come out through the driver end of the column.)
Go to: www.corvettefaq.com and click on Jim Shea Steering Articles. Then click on Corvette Steering Papers. Scroll down to the Tilt & Telescoping 69-82 Disassembly & Repair Papers. You will need all three Papers and Pics in that section.
Be sure to tighten the four support screws before you reassemble everything. Also you most likely will require the C-clip Retainer GM #7808385 since the original clip will most likely break into many small pieces. (The retainer is available from several Corvette suppliers as well.)
Good luck,
Additional help is only a computor click away.
Jim
Go to: www.corvettefaq.com and click on Jim Shea Steering Articles. Then click on Corvette Steering Papers. Scroll down to the Tilt & Telescoping 69-82 Disassembly & Repair Papers. You will need all three Papers and Pics in that section.
Be sure to tighten the four support screws before you reassemble everything. Also you most likely will require the C-clip Retainer GM #7808385 since the original clip will most likely break into many small pieces. (The retainer is available from several Corvette suppliers as well.)
Good luck,
Additional help is only a computor click away.
Jim
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Also check your rag joint, some had D shapes and some didn't. Make sure they match up. Be careful if you buy the reproduction rag joint repair kits as some plain stink. Do a search on here and you'll find info.
$700? you could have bought a perfect rebuilt column for that.
I just got a very tight and clean low milage 80 tilt/tel column at a swap meet this weekend for $100. All it needs is a repaint.
Hope you have a lot of patience to pull that column apart. Make sure you label and organize everything, there will be many peices.
Last edited by 68 NJConv 454; May 1, 2007 at 03:32 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,991
Likes: 3
From: Piscataway NJ
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
PM this guy and see what he has in his shop and $$. (paulywannafly)
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/member.php?u=42053
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/member.php?u=42053
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Try www.columnsgalore.com they maybe able to help you out