Up and Down... I just read Jim Shea's paper on testing this but I had already pulled out the steering column.
Does anyone know what to look for for a column/steering wheel that moves up and down but not side to side?

 

I am not quite sure about your question. It is very common for the four screws that attach the support to the steering column jacket to loosen. Depending upon which of the four back out first, you could have a looseness in a up and down motion.

Jim

 

Wasn't there a guy named Pinky that used to rebuild tilt columns on the forum?

 

When I fisrt bought my Vette the column moved a bit up and down not too much side to side, but the condition got worse, not to familiar with a Vette as it was my first I did not really check into it. Then one day the upper column sheared in half and landed in my lap as I was taking a slow turn through an intersection. I cannot tell you what caused it to do this, but I suggest being very careful until the fault is discovered. A steering wheel belongs in your hands not in your LAP! Additional comment: Oh yes, check the two bolts and bracket underneath the dash to make sudre they are tight!

 

Jim, I forget to ask about this all the time, but I have been all through my late shark TT column years ago, and it still has the same consistant looseness in the unit, I can't seem to locate the fault, its not the bolts, or anything else obvious.....IF in a wreck can the whole mechanism be compromised to the point of being loose?? I speakng of up and down, I just checked side/side and it's a bit loose there, but not bad...any suggestions?? It has not changed charactoristics any in 12 years of use, but I also use it to assist getting in/out of the car, and I never bother moving the TT position either,

 

Gene,
I would still bet on your problem being the four support screws. When you "went through" your column years ago; did you loctite them? I know that you did extensive modifications to your steering column, dash, etc. Is it possible that some of your motion is from the dash structure?

I am sure that you are familiar with my papers. But for those that may be new to the forum; you can find a whole listing of papers relating to steering at www.corvettefaq.com
Click on: Jim Shea's Steering Articles
Click on: Corvette Steering Papers
Scroll down the listing to: Tilt & Telescoping Column 69-82 Disassembly and Repair

There are three D&R Papers identified as #1, #2, & #3. There are also three line drawings listed as D&R Pics #1, #2, & #3.

In order to get down to the four support screws, you will need all three Papers and Pics. (The blowup drawing won't hurt either.)

Just remember that additional help is only a computer click away! (Digital pictures concerning your problems are always very helpful.)

Jim

PS: I strongly encourage posting problems on this forum as compared to Private Messages and/or eMails for the following reasons. First of all, it is good to get multiple inputs from members that may have had similar problems and solutions. Second, it is very helpful that other people can learn from your experiences. Third, the problem can be reviewed by the Forum Search feature at later dates.

 

I have made it this far -see pic. I am wondering how to get this bearing housing off so that I can get to the support screws. Do I need to take the tilt spring, and pivot pins out?


thanks

 

Yes, you have to remove the tilt spring.
Yes, you have to remove the pivot pins.

There is a pivot pin extraction tool available at Harbor Freight. There are two home-made tools described in my Disassembly & Repair Paper #3.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...dr3-30jn07.doc

One other method to extract the pivot pins would be to thread a 8-32 screw into the end of each pin. Grip the screw with a slam puller tool. A few quick raps should draw the pin right out.

Reinstall the tilt lever. Remove the housing by pulling back on the tilt lever (releasing the lock shoes) and pull the housing upward until it stops. Move the housing to the right or left to disengage the rack from the ignition switch rod. Pull the housing up off the steering shaft assy.

You will now have access to the four support screws. Take them out one at a time. Add loctite to the threads. Tighten them sequentially in 20 inch-lb increments. Tighten to 84 inch-lb, 7 ft-lb max.

Jim

 

I was able to get one of the pivot pins out - no sweat. The other one has me stalled. When I tried to extract the pin, the screw broke off in the hole of the pin. I tried a reverse drill bit but no go.
Any suggestions? I was thinking of drilling it out and re-tapping with something slightly larger - then trying the extraction again.
Can those pivot pins be bought individually in case I need to mangle this one on the way out?

 

The GM part number for the pivot pin is 7804904. However, it is not listed on the GMPartsDirect websight.

Doc Rebuild lists a rebuild kit - 6521142 Includes 2 pivot pins, tilt wheel spring, retainer, and guide pin, upper race and seat. The price several years ago was $42.95. That is the only place that I have found that sells the pin.

You might be better off just purchasing a broken, collapsed, tilt steering column from a wreck just to salvage the pivot pin. I am sure that any old tilt column will have the same pivot pin.

Jim

 

Jim, I was able to get out both pivot pins and thus was able to remove the 4 screws to the support.
How can I pull out the lower shaft assembly? The shaft is currently going through the support (which is loose). It seems as if I would have to pull the whole shaft up through to be able to get the support off.
I hope this is making sense .

 

If you remove the lower flange from your steering shaft, it should pull right straight up and out of the column. You could have some rust on the shaft because it is underhood. So that might be causing some problems with just pulling it out through the lower bearing.

Jim

 

Jim, this column was bought cheep...and I not sure, but suspect it was in an accident, can't prove that one way or another though...just that I know the bolts are tight upon checking some years ago...AS I RECALL I knew of the problem so locktite red on them when assembled...the thing is very consistantly loosey goosey though...

I suspect some wear on the castings, but it's really hard to prove out...
so there i'ts been, working FINE, but...oh well....
silly car runs great, that G Am rack and home built junkyard parts use, so far is fine...gotta laugh....but at this point it's more of a nagging curiosity of mine....

what is considered 'normal' up and down and side/side motion on the steering wheel rim?? about an inch?? if so, it's all normal....

and I"m fretting over nothing....

 

Certainly not one inch of looseness!

Have you tried my steering column tests that I have outlined in my Tilt & Telescoping 1969-82 Disassembly & Repair Paper #1?
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...dr1-30jn07.doc

The in-car tests on pages 2 & 3 should give you some ideas as to where the problem resides.

Jim