I got a tool (help) install the lockplate, it rides on the lockplate, the center screws onto the center shaft. Why when I begin tightening the tool against the lockplate and apply press, the center shaft starts to come out? This is killing me, the tool looks and operates just like the GM tool. Thanks. By the way, I tried 'other ways' to push the lock plate back before acquiring this tool, I just don't think there is room for all the crap behind it, the bearing seat, spring, canceling fitting, lockplate. But oh well, it all came out, it outta all go back in....

 

Is this a tilt/tele wheel?

 

Yes, it is. I was just coming back to edit to add that point.

 

On a tele wheel there is a lever to tighten the wheel in the desired position. When you take the wheel off you don't have anything to hold the shaft tightly in place anymore. I cut the top off the correct size bolt and threaded into the shaft. I drilled a small hole in the bolt shalf to slide a small phillips scredriver thru it to snug the bolt up. I also drilled a small countersink in the top of the bolt to center the tool.

 

Thanks, now I remember reading something about that. I will be glad when this is oooooooooooooooooooover....

 

I just reinstalled my 77 t/t locking plate last night and it is exactly as project80 said. The only differance I did was to take my hack saw and cut a common screwdriver in the top of my bolt and with A/Z's tool it is a piece of cake. Just remember before you slide the locking plate on the shaft that the locking clip will only go on one way at least on my 77 it was that way

 

Thanks. My C clip has a certain way it needs to be installed so I will be attentive to that. I am a little concerned about the cancelling cam, as there doesn't seem to be a fool-proof way to index it and I forgot to take a picture before disassembling it. I will get it in the right general orientation, and hope for the best.

 

Go to www.corvettefaq.com
click on Jim Shea's Steering Papers
click on Corvette Steering Papers
scroll down to the 1969-82 Tilt & Telescoping section
download the disassembly & repair paper #1
There is a full description on how to reassemble the upper end of the T&T column.

Jim

 

I preface this by saying I have read the Jim Shea papers a thousand times and believe I understand, but things are just now cooperating.


Here is the bearing seat, spring, horn carrier/cancelling cam & locking plate, and c-clip, anxiously awaiting assembly. B.S., they will not all fit. I have the parts laid out as I have tried to assemble them, up is facing me. The plastic part nested into the locking cam I have indexed so that it will cancel the turn signaling; this will also allow the c-clip to be installed from below, the only way I can see to install it; but I am tellin' ya, I compress all this stuff (with a tool from AutoZone), and it gets to a point and just stops. I put a wrench on the tool to turn more, it will absolutely NOT compress farther, and the slots on the shaft are not exposed enough to get that damn clip on. My last attempt it appear that one side of the tool was slipping on the locking cam, so I went no further.

I could do it if I left out the bearing seat, but then the stupid spring would not seat properly (I suppose). The seat fits exactly on the shaft and so it rides righ against the upper bearing, I presume this is correct installation, the exploded view is showing it that why I think.

The instructions state that the raised portion in the center of the lockplate should face you as it is inserted on the yoke. It looks like if it was put on the other way around, the slot for the clip might be exposed just enough to go on.

Should all this be compressed that much, that tight? What the hell good is that spring if it's compressed all the way like that? I am freaking going out of my mind and angry about this whole thing. I will put a million pics on here if it will help explain, but I just do not get it. I am no slouch as a mechanic, that is why this is really eating me up. Any help is GREATLY appreciated.

 

After finally getting all this stuff stacked up, compressed and installed, turns out I didn't sucessfully fix the tilt problem. So upon re-disassembling this mess, I found that the cancelling cam is now destroyed; all the stuff I reinstalled was what came off originally, so why did this happen, any ideas? here is the cam,,,,,

 

I may be talking to myself, I believe I have solved my two problems:

Even though I was loading all the components in their correct order before compressing everything together to put the c clip on, I had the stupid upper bearing race inverted, eating up just enough space that in order to get the c clip on, the cancelling cam got smashed and cracked. Put this under the category "Didn't pay close enough attention".

The play in the tilt up and down, is caused I believe by an incorrect pin. I had a buddy of mine tell me that the pin the shoes index on should be a roll pin, not the solid pin that was in there. 5/32" seems to be the closest I can get, will be a tight fit but should fix the problem. This one goes under the category, "Not my fault..."

Have a nice weekend.....