77 steering column rebuild
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 165
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From: White Plains MD
77 steering column rebuild
Since it's cold out, I have decided to rebuild the 77 column that is to replace the current 76. I've been following Jim Shea's excelent articles, along with the Haynes manual. After taking the entire column apart 
, I've discovered that I need upper and lower bearings, and a new wash/wipe/t sig switch (wow! is this expensive). Now to the two questions I have at this time --more will surely follow..
1) Is there a prefered orientation between the upper and lower steering shaft? This relates to the flat area on the ridges of the lower shaft versus the two flats (one longer than the other) on the upper shaft. Yes I Was dumb and did not take note of this before I took it appart...
2) What type of grease should I use on the centering sphere and on the switch cams?
Thanks
, I've discovered that I need upper and lower bearings, and a new wash/wipe/t sig switch (wow! is this expensive). Now to the two questions I have at this time --more will surely follow..1) Is there a prefered orientation between the upper and lower steering shaft? This relates to the flat area on the ridges of the lower shaft versus the two flats (one longer than the other) on the upper shaft. Yes I Was dumb and did not take note of this before I took it appart...
2) What type of grease should I use on the centering sphere and on the switch cams?
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
The preferred flat orientation is as follows. Otherwise your steering wheel (and turn signal cancelling) will be 180 degrees off (or upside down).
From page #8 Disassembly & Repair Paper #3
Steering Shaft Orientation - Reassembly Tip (Continued)
Here is the key to the correct alignment. Look down the column from the steering wheel end, place the pinch bolt notch (located on the very lower end of the column, where the steering column flange is connected) at the 12 o’clock position. Now when the upper steering shaft is connected to the plastic tilt centering spheres, the long flat should be at the 6 o’clock position.
The upper steering shaft has flats on either side. A long one and a short one. I just can't remember which one is being shown on this photo.
I have always used white lithium based chassis grease to lubricate most of my sliding parts.
Jim
From page #8 Disassembly & Repair Paper #3
Steering Shaft Orientation - Reassembly Tip (Continued)
Here is the key to the correct alignment. Look down the column from the steering wheel end, place the pinch bolt notch (located on the very lower end of the column, where the steering column flange is connected) at the 12 o’clock position. Now when the upper steering shaft is connected to the plastic tilt centering spheres, the long flat should be at the 6 o’clock position.
The upper steering shaft has flats on either side. A long one and a short one. I just can't remember which one is being shown on this photo.
I have always used white lithium based chassis grease to lubricate most of my sliding parts.
Jim
Last edited by Jim Shea; Jan 25, 2008 at 06:07 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: White Plains MD
THANKS Jim,
I've got it. I will apply white lithium grease to all the moving parts except the shoes (bone dry).
Thus with the main shaft's at the 12 O'clock the key slot on the upper shaft is facing 3 O' clock. The Last shaft(Steering) has the long flat also on the key side. I hope I reiterated this correctly.
I've got it. I will apply white lithium grease to all the moving parts except the shoes (bone dry).
Thus with the main shaft's at the 12 O'clock the key slot on the upper shaft is facing 3 O' clock. The Last shaft(Steering) has the long flat also on the key side. I hope I reiterated this correctly.
