Sterring Column Rebuild Problem
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Roselle IL
Sterring Column Rebuild Problem
Hopefully Jim Shea can help here.
Over the winter I rebuilt my steering box and also repaired the looseness in my steering column ('75 T&T). I took it down to the metal assembly that hold the pins for tilting. This had been worn and I drilled them out and installed bushings.
Upon reassembly, my steering wheel is mis-aligned by about 60 degrees. I do not remember anything that needed to be indexed, except the rotating ball assembly, which I believe that I put in 180* opposite, but didn't think that would hurt. Any ideas on what could have caused this? Also, the turn signals are not always cancelling. I don't know if it is related or not. I will partially disassemble to see if I can figure that one out.
Thanks for any assistance you can provide.
Over the winter I rebuilt my steering box and also repaired the looseness in my steering column ('75 T&T). I took it down to the metal assembly that hold the pins for tilting. This had been worn and I drilled them out and installed bushings.
Upon reassembly, my steering wheel is mis-aligned by about 60 degrees. I do not remember anything that needed to be indexed, except the rotating ball assembly, which I believe that I put in 180* opposite, but didn't think that would hurt. Any ideas on what could have caused this? Also, the turn signals are not always cancelling. I don't know if it is related or not. I will partially disassemble to see if I can figure that one out.
Thanks for any assistance you can provide.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 416
From: Seattle Area WA
This is from Jim's #3 paper:
Steering Shaft Orientation - Reassembly Tip
Notice: If for some reason you lose the original orientation of the steering shaft yoke #44 to the lower shaft #47, you will find that you will have two possible ways to reassemble this connection. If you look closely at the steering shaft yoke, you will note that the end that points at the steering wheel has two machined flats, one on each side. However, one flat is longer than the other. This is important because the carrier #4 has a flat that must mate with the long flat. The carrier also has the turn signal cancelling tabs molded into it.
If you reassemble the shaft yoke to the plastic spheres in the wrong orientation, your turn signals will not cancel properly. (You probably won’t notice this problem until you have the column back in the car!)"
Steering Shaft Orientation - Reassembly Tip
Notice: If for some reason you lose the original orientation of the steering shaft yoke #44 to the lower shaft #47, you will find that you will have two possible ways to reassemble this connection. If you look closely at the steering shaft yoke, you will note that the end that points at the steering wheel has two machined flats, one on each side. However, one flat is longer than the other. This is important because the carrier #4 has a flat that must mate with the long flat. The carrier also has the turn signal cancelling tabs molded into it.
If you reassemble the shaft yoke to the plastic spheres in the wrong orientation, your turn signals will not cancel properly. (You probably won’t notice this problem until you have the column back in the car!)"
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Roselle IL
Thanks Scott. I should have known that this was not an either/or proposition on re-assembly. Live and learn, I guess. I am thinking that the steering wheel hub is not indexed with a key and that I can re-position it to center the wheel. Is that your understanding.
Thanks for your hep.
Thanks for your hep.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 416
From: Seattle Area WA
There is no keyway but the shaft and hub have index marks to line up at 12 o'clock. With everything lined up, the flat at the bottom of the shaft will also be at 12 o-clock so your steering box ends up centered.
By just relocating your hub, your wheel will end up centered but I don't think that resolves your turn signal self cancelling. I hope Jim Shea can verify.
By just relocating your hub, your wheel will end up centered but I don't think that resolves your turn signal self cancelling. I hope Jim Shea can verify.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Roselle IL
No. I assumed that I will need to tear down the column again to fix this reversed connection at the ball joint. However, that will move my orientation 180* and will still leave me off center. I was wondering if I can set the steering wheel hub on any way I want to center the wheel after the column is indexed with the steerting box.
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Ga.
To center the steering wheel, you must 1st get the steering box at the 12 o'clock position. You will have to adjust your tie rods to straighten the wheel. I have plenty of experience tearing down my column. I learned the hard way. Jim's paper will help you out. Just pay attention to all of the details. There are no options.
Hope this helps!
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/
Hope this helps!
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/
