I'm finally getting the steering column back together.

Thanks for the pics Scott.

And thanks for putting those papers together Jim. I'm really understanding them more as the column is going back together. And thanks a bunch for the tips on putting the upper shaft in right so the turn signals cancel correctly. As usual, if there is a 50/50 chance I choose the wrong one. I had the tilt portion installed when I noticed that section. And sure enough I had mine wrong.

Just waiting on the key buzzer switch and I'll get the whole thing put back together.

 

Where in the world did you find the key buzzer switch? Original switches are extremely hard to find. I had heard a rumor that someone was going make tooling to produce a new switch.

Jim

 

Willcox Corvette found them for me. They just got them added to the website. There is one switch for T&T and one for standard.
Check their website or give them a call.

 

There is something wrong with one of the Wilcox descriptions of the Tilt and Tele key buzzer switches that are listed on page #6 at their websight.

There are definately two different T&T key buzzer switches. One from 1969 through 1976. The other from 1977 through 1982.

So I would suspect that the one listed as:
"563096 77-82 Key Warning Buzzer Switch with Tilt And Tele $11.95" is probably correct. (This switch has always been available.)

However, the 1969 through 1976 T&T key buzzer switch has only been available as NOS for years and has been very rare and expensive.

There is a second switch on the Wilcox sight that is listed as follows:
"563139 68-82 Key Buzzer Switch with Tilt And Tele $8.00". Hopefully this is a newly tooled switch and should be listed as 77-82. The switch is very inexpensive at a $8.00 price.

Jim

 

I got this switch and it is way too short. Maybe half the length as the original switch.

So back to the drawing board.
Any suggestions for other sources?

 

I emailed some places the other weekend for key buzzer switches. One outfit turned me on to Corvette Steering Service in SC. Contacted them and he had some NOS buzzer switches. Not cheap but I figured I ought to do it right while I had the column torn down.

Super nice guy. Got me fixed up with a switch and the c-clip retainer (that was missing from mine).

The column is back together and appears to be functioning.
I'll get it back in the car this week.

I appreciate all the help.
I was surprised how well the column went back together. I was pretty worried. Jim Shea's papers really helped out - especially the tips and suggestions.

Another project "almost" down. Several to go.

 

Tom,

Is this a tilt/telescopic steering column as stated at the begining of this message? Looks like the exploded view it may be a standard column. If it is a standard, where do you get a new shift shroud? Thanks.

Gary

 

Tomi72,
Would you mind if I try and use your three pictures on removing the shift bowl from the shift tube, removing the lower bearing inner race, and the layout of the column jacket and shift tube in a future paper? Maybe I can create a Disassembly & Repair Paper #4 and somehow dovetail it with Paper #2.

It would be helpful if you could eMail the three pictures to JIML82@aol.com.

SSRacing,
I wish that there was an easier way of describing how to disassemble the Saginaw energy absorbing steering column(s). (Short of writing a whole book). The Chevrolet Chassis Service Manual tries to do the same thing but it gets so hung up with all the different types of Chevrolet columns; all the different years; all the different shifts; etc. It has some good pictures but again so many of them are generic and so many of them are using specialized tools that the dealership was supposed to purchase.

At least with the Corvette column(s) all of them are floorshifts and for the most part the 1969 through 1982 columns are pretty similar with only a few upgrades through the years.

Any thoughts that you might have as to making the papers easier to read or clearer would be appreciated. BTW, did you have access to the Disassembly & Repair Pics as well as the Papers? I was hoping that the drawings in the Pics would be more helpful.


Jim

 

I downloaded all the papers and pics. I guess I was overwhelmed at first so my vision was clouded.

Re-assembly went very well following your papers. The pictures posted online and here helped a bunch. If you could incorporate those into your paper #4 that would be good.

Part of my problem was having to wait so long between teardown and re-assembly. I tried laying out my parts in order and taking some pics of my own -and that did help - but memory fades after a while.

I don't think I could have gotten this project done without y'all. Thanks.