71 C3 Steering Colum
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
71 C3 Steering Colum
Sorry if these are old question, but, I'm new here.
Working on my buddies 71 vette.
He's recently had the body off frame to replace the body mounts and correct door ailnment.
He is a Professional Auto Body Technician. This was not hack work being done.
With that said, I helping him put things back together. I am an Aircraft Technician, with many years of wrench time on cars, trucks, motorcycles, Aircraft, ect. If it's got nuts and bolts, I work on it. I am an **** retentive car guy.
Part of the problem is I'm in Colorado, He's in California.
Anyway, going back together, Steering will not go back together. The shaft appears to have shrunk. What had to be pryed apart is now an inch shy of connecting. While it was apart we replaced the ignition lock, had the colom down at the dash to replace the headlight switch, and some Trouble Shooting on the wipers.
Working on my buddies 71 vette.
He's recently had the body off frame to replace the body mounts and correct door ailnment.
He is a Professional Auto Body Technician. This was not hack work being done.
With that said, I helping him put things back together. I am an Aircraft Technician, with many years of wrench time on cars, trucks, motorcycles, Aircraft, ect. If it's got nuts and bolts, I work on it. I am an **** retentive car guy.
Part of the problem is I'm in Colorado, He's in California.
Anyway, going back together, Steering will not go back together. The shaft appears to have shrunk. What had to be pryed apart is now an inch shy of connecting. While it was apart we replaced the ignition lock, had the colom down at the dash to replace the headlight switch, and some Trouble Shooting on the wipers.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
It's not that hard to get it back out. I was able to stick a screwdriver against the ridge at the bottom end and tap it down with a hammer. In the alternative, the rag joint could be bolted back on to use as a tapping/pulling surface.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 1
From: Collinsville MS
St. Jude Donor '08
If he pried it apart, he more than likely collapsed it. You can use the shanks of the rag joint and get a longer bolt and nut and pull it back together. Just go slow and easy!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
If you have a 1969 through 1976 T&T column the steering shaft should stick out 4.70 inches from the end of the lower bearing.
The standard (non-adjustable) steering shaft length for 1969 through 1976 should be 4.55 inches.
Jim
The standard (non-adjustable) steering shaft length for 1969 through 1976 should be 4.55 inches.
Jim
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Sorry it's taken so long to respond. I've been puttin out other fires.
It's not T/T collum.
He finnaly got it hooked up, but we'd like another 1/2 in, but take what we got.
What was done:
Took the steering wheel back off.
released the lock plate snap ring,
left the tool installed and slacked the compression nut wasy off.
lossened the collum mounting bolts.
put the car on the ground.
used a screw driver as a wedge in the rag joint.
got it!!
THX Again!
It's not T/T collum.
He finnaly got it hooked up, but we'd like another 1/2 in, but take what we got.
What was done:
Took the steering wheel back off.
released the lock plate snap ring,
left the tool installed and slacked the compression nut wasy off.
lossened the collum mounting bolts.
put the car on the ground.
used a screw driver as a wedge in the rag joint.
got it!!
THX Again!
