Tilt/tele column
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Joined: Jul 2004
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Tilt/tele column
I have dissembled the column and replaced the lock assy. Replacing the retainer for the tele, which compresses the upper spring, The bottom shaft of the column slide into the housing. What retains the shaft to prevent this from happening or did I break something when compressing the upper spring to install the retainer? I had the column standing on the lower shaft while compressing the spring
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,991
Likes: 3
From: Piscataway NJ
The lower shaft was designed to collapse on a frontal crash. The two shafts had a plastic slug that hold the two shafts in position. On impact the plastic would break and the lower shaft would collapse into the upper. It is not easy to get it back where it is supposed to be.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
I dunno about hard to get it back down...all I did was grab the end with vice grips and tap it back down again......simple, really.....if it's to far down there you can't get the grips on it, you maybe able to just drop the column on the flange and jarr it down...or maybe you can hook it down with the hook end of a fish tape...
barring all that, take it apart down to the nylon ball segments, and tap it down from above.....PIA....
barring all that, take it apart down to the nylon ball segments, and tap it down from above.....PIA....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Both of the above comments are correct. The steering shaft is constructed in two pieces and they are held in position by plastic. The hollow lower shaft is designed to telescope into the column in a severe frontal collision. For some reason the plastic shears and the lower shaft telescopes into the steering column a lot easier than it comes back out to its original length.
You didn't mention what year Corvette that you own. Here are the lengths of steering shaft that should be sticking out from the lower bearing:
1969 through 1976 4.70 inches from bearing face to end of shaft
1977 and 1978 4.90 inches from bearing face .....
1979 through 1982 5.00 inches from bearing face .....
BTW it is perfectly safe to operate your car after the plastic has been sheared and the steering shafts returned to their original positions and length.
Jim
You didn't mention what year Corvette that you own. Here are the lengths of steering shaft that should be sticking out from the lower bearing:
1969 through 1976 4.70 inches from bearing face to end of shaft
1977 and 1978 4.90 inches from bearing face .....
1979 through 1982 5.00 inches from bearing face .....
BTW it is perfectly safe to operate your car after the plastic has been sheared and the steering shafts returned to their original positions and length.
Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Both of the above comments are correct. The steering shaft is constructed in two pieces and they are held in position by plastic. The hollow lower shaft is designed to telescope into the column in a severe frontal collision. For some reason the plastic shears and the lower shaft telescopes into the steering column a lot easier than it comes back out to its original length.
You didn't mention what year Corvette that you own. Here are the lengths of steering shaft that should be sticking out from the lower bearing:
1969 through 1976 4.70 inches from bearing face to end of shaft
1977 and 1978 4.90 inches from bearing face .....
1979 through 1982 5.00 inches from bearing face .....
BTW it is perfectly safe to operate your car after the plastic has been sheared and the steering shafts returned to their original positions and length.
Jim
You didn't mention what year Corvette that you own. Here are the lengths of steering shaft that should be sticking out from the lower bearing:
1969 through 1976 4.70 inches from bearing face to end of shaft
1977 and 1978 4.90 inches from bearing face .....
1979 through 1982 5.00 inches from bearing face .....
BTW it is perfectly safe to operate your car after the plastic has been sheared and the steering shafts returned to their original positions and length.
Jim
