can steering column be fixed?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Enterprise Ut
can steering column be fixed?
I have a tilt tele in a 74 vette. There is some slop in the steering wheel, not enough to be dangerous, just anoying. Last summer I tore in to it to tighten them four bolts that are notoriously loose on GM columns. I put it back together and still had the slop. Will this be the bearings? Does the shaft wear? If its just bearings I would like to fix it, but if I have a wore shaft that cant be fixed I will leave it alone. I have the column out of the car right now so I thought this would be a good time.
Thanks Guys
Thanks Guys
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
I have a tilt tele in a 74 vette. There is some slop in the steering wheel, not enough to be dangerous, just anoying. Last summer I tore in to it to tighten them four bolts that are notoriously loose on GM columns. I put it back together and still had the slop. Will this be the bearings? Does the shaft wear? If its just bearings I would like to fix it, but if I have a wore shaft that cant be fixed I will leave it alone. I have the column out of the car right now so I thought this would be a good time.
Thanks Guys
Thanks Guys
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
You are going to have to identify where the slop is coming from. I assume you have already checked the flexible coupling, the steering gear, linkage, etc and have eliminated those other components.
My T&T Disassembly & Repair Paper #1 has several easy tests that you can perform with the column in the car. They may identify the location of your problem.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...dr1-09oc07.doc
Next I would have someone grab onto the flex coupling while you oscilllate the steering wheel back and forth. Try to identify if the problem is in the column head, down near the lower bearing (near the flex coupling).
Lastly you might consider removing the steering column from the car and place it on a bench. You can probably locate the location of the problem easier with the whole column in front of you.
Jim
My T&T Disassembly & Repair Paper #1 has several easy tests that you can perform with the column in the car. They may identify the location of your problem.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...dr1-09oc07.doc
Next I would have someone grab onto the flex coupling while you oscilllate the steering wheel back and forth. Try to identify if the problem is in the column head, down near the lower bearing (near the flex coupling).
Lastly you might consider removing the steering column from the car and place it on a bench. You can probably locate the location of the problem easier with the whole column in front of you.
Jim
