Steering column shenanigans
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 60
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From: Carpinteria CA
Steering column shenanigans
So, the kind and obliging fellow (cough, Bubba) I bought my C3 from had a slight problem with the turn signal lever. Somehow, it got snapped off, so rather than try and disassemble the column, he took himself a 3/8" bolt, drilled the turn lever socket out, and screwed it into place. Yikes.
Well, now I have a nice, shiny new turn signal lever, and I don't know what to do about the gaping hole where it should go. What do I need to replace?
Well, now I have a nice, shiny new turn signal lever, and I don't know what to do about the gaping hole where it should go. What do I need to replace?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
Sounds to me like you need to get a helicoil that will match the 3/8" tap in the 'innerds' to the correct thread on the lever. You will need to use some kind of permanent Loctite to keep the helicoil in the lever thread...but make sure none gets into the inner thread [or chase it with a tap after the Loctite sets up]. You don't want to lock the new lever in place; it only screws in tight. The only other repair method I can think of is to replace the internal lever...and that would be a real PITA.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 60
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From: Carpinteria CA
Yikes.
Okay, say I was in the mind to head on over to the local salvage yard and dig around, what's the name of that bit of the column - y'know, the bit the levers screw into? I'll try the loctite route, but assuming that I'll **** it up (and I will), it wouldn't hurt to have getting another bit as a backup plan...
Okay, say I was in the mind to head on over to the local salvage yard and dig around, what's the name of that bit of the column - y'know, the bit the levers screw into? I'll try the loctite route, but assuming that I'll **** it up (and I will), it wouldn't hurt to have getting another bit as a backup plan...
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 484
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From: McComb Ms.
do you have the correct blinker handle/arm? on my '79 my blinker handle/arm unscrews from the housing. maybe he just screwed a bolt in the threaded hole and you possibly have the wrong size blinker arm/handle for your particular model
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,231
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From: edmonton ab
Fortunately there is a guy on this site with huge knowledge of steering column issues on these cars who has helped many of us. http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?page_id=4
If you search Jim Shea you will probably find a hundred posts dealing specificaly with the C3 steering column, where to get pieces etc. Also the link to his web page show diagrams to help you identify the parts inside the column that you can't see but are going to need. Good luck.
If you search Jim Shea you will probably find a hundred posts dealing specificaly with the C3 steering column, where to get pieces etc. Also the link to his web page show diagrams to help you identify the parts inside the column that you can't see but are going to need. Good luck.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 484
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From: McComb Ms.
I made an error on this, i was looking at a pic of my interior of my car and i realized the **** that screwed out wasn't my blinker but instead my tilt instead...sorry for that guy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
If I am reading this correctly, you need a 1979 tilt shoe release lever.
The only place that I have found it listed is at the following:
Doc Rebuild 1-800-866-9362 (hopefully he still has the part.)
Tilt Lock Shoe Release Lever 77-82 6521156
You are going to have to disassemble the upper end of the column to replace this part.
My Disassembly & Repair papers do not address this exact part but it pivots on a pressed-in pin and you will come upon the part as you disassemble the head.
These papers may be of help:
Go to www.corvettefaq.com
Click on Jim Shea's Steering Papers
Click on Corvette Steering Papers
Scroll down and download the T&T Disassembly & Repair Papers #1, #2, & #3
Download the T&T Disassembly & Repair Pics #1 & #2
Jim
The only place that I have found it listed is at the following:
Doc Rebuild 1-800-866-9362 (hopefully he still has the part.)
Tilt Lock Shoe Release Lever 77-82 6521156
You are going to have to disassemble the upper end of the column to replace this part.
My Disassembly & Repair papers do not address this exact part but it pivots on a pressed-in pin and you will come upon the part as you disassemble the head.
These papers may be of help:
Go to www.corvettefaq.com
Click on Jim Shea's Steering Papers
Click on Corvette Steering Papers
Scroll down and download the T&T Disassembly & Repair Papers #1, #2, & #3
Download the T&T Disassembly & Repair Pics #1 & #2
Jim
