Steering Column Help Needed?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 9,127
Likes: 2,326
From: Pottsville, PA. USA Home Of America's Oldest Brewery Yuengling
Steering Column Help Needed?
Here is my problem. I was installing a new rag joint on my 75 Vette. I had to pry the upper flange away from the rag joint. It was a little rusted to the shaft coming out of the column. I got it free but also moved the shaft up in the column. I removed the old joint from the steering box shaft and installed the new one.
My problem is that I now have about a one inch difference in the length between the joint and the upper coupler. I have tried everything but the upper shaft will not pull down enough to bolt the two together.
When the shaft went up into the column what could it got stuck on that it won't come back out. The car does have tilt & telescopic. Do I have to remove the column from the car and put it in a vise to pull the shaft back down? Or does the column have to come apart?
My problem is that I now have about a one inch difference in the length between the joint and the upper coupler. I have tried everything but the upper shaft will not pull down enough to bolt the two together.
When the shaft went up into the column what could it got stuck on that it won't come back out. The car does have tilt & telescopic. Do I have to remove the column from the car and put it in a vise to pull the shaft back down? Or does the column have to come apart?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,583
Likes: 5
From: Richardson Tx.
I'm in the process of rebuilding my steering column from the ground up and I think that I made the mistake of hitting the end of that shaft with a mallet in order to get it where I wanted it. The shaft went inward like yours. Way deep in the core of the shaft it is designed to "go into itself" - I guess in case of a collision ( it is actually 2 overlapping pieces).
I was able to put mine in a vise grip and extended it back out but it was not easy - so I am not sure how you would do this with it installed in the car.
Good Luck..
I was able to put mine in a vise grip and extended it back out but it was not easy - so I am not sure how you would do this with it installed in the car.
Good Luck..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
You just discovered that the energy absorbing, collapsible steering columns have steering shafts that telescope into the steering column a whole lot easier than the shaft comes back out. The steering shaft is designed in two pieces and they telescope on each other. They will maintain steering intrigrity so you don't have to worry about not being able to steer your car.
However, you now have to pull the steering shaft back down to reach its original length. Don't hammer on the shaft because it might damage the ball bearings that support the steering shaft.
Your 1975 Vette with a standard (non T&T) steering column should have the steering shaft sticking out 4.6 inches from the lower bearing adapter.
Just try and pry the shaft out of the column with a constant force.
Jim
However, you now have to pull the steering shaft back down to reach its original length. Don't hammer on the shaft because it might damage the ball bearings that support the steering shaft.
Your 1975 Vette with a standard (non T&T) steering column should have the steering shaft sticking out 4.6 inches from the lower bearing adapter.
Just try and pry the shaft out of the column with a constant force.
Jim
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 9,127
Likes: 2,326
From: Pottsville, PA. USA Home Of America's Oldest Brewery Yuengling
Jim,
My 75 has a tilt&telescopic column. How much of it should stick out? If I take the column out of the car and put it in a vise, can I pull or twist it back out?
My 75 has a tilt&telescopic column. How much of it should stick out? If I take the column out of the car and put it in a vise, can I pull or twist it back out?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Sorry, I missed that fact that it was a T&T. The shaft on a 1975 T&T column should stick out past the lower bearing retainer face by 4.7 inches.
I have heard of some people installing the lower flange on the steering shaft; attaching a strap to the flange; and using a come-along to pull the shaft out of the column while it is still in the car.
Jim
I have heard of some people installing the lower flange on the steering shaft; attaching a strap to the flange; and using a come-along to pull the shaft out of the column while it is still in the car.
Jim
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