Tilt/Tele Column
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,815
Likes: 470
From: Wichita Kansas
Tilt/Tele Column
Now that the column is back in the car, you can move the wheel up and down and feel/hear the tilt slipping up and down the shoes. I have already been into it and replaced the pin that the shoes rest upon, do you think I put in a pin that is too large a diameter? I put in a 5/32 roll pin. At each step when you rest it there, and try to wiggle up and down, it is 'tight', but too much pressure either way allows it to walk. Appreciate any ideas. Have read all of J Shea's papers many times. Is this related: the ignition key, steering wheel lock, all that worked great on the bench; now that it's in the car, no soap: can't lock the wheel, key comes out in any position, starts withOUT a key. very confused. please help me. someday i can help you..... thanks.
Last edited by kansas123; Aug 24, 2008 at 09:04 PM. Reason: change a word
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
First of all. Did you put grease on the lock shoe slots or on the pin that they engage? They need to be dry as a bone. Otherwise the shoes can ratchet when you put pressure on the steering wheel.
It sounds as if your lock cylinder is shot. If it rotates without the key being inserted, it is worn out, damaged, or something in that order.
Jim
It sounds as if your lock cylinder is shot. If it rotates without the key being inserted, it is worn out, damaged, or something in that order.
Jim
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,815
Likes: 470
From: Wichita Kansas
I made sure the shoes and pin were dry as a bone having read about that (but how about the shoe springs and that long tilt spring, they have grease on em). The lock cylinder worked perfectly fine after assembly of the column parts thru and including the ignition switch and all parts behind the c clip. It must have gone thru some trauma while I installed it into the car. I am thinking about taking it apart in the car and reassemblying it. Maybe I missed something but can't imagine what it would be. Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Jim should be able to comment better, but there is some clip/slot spring loaded thingy to position the lock cyl in the column, if that is not engaged fully, the whole damn lock mechanism is free to turn.....
AS I remember it's a small screwdriver type thing to release, but it don't take removing from the car...any which a way you go these columns are a PIA to work on....
AS I remember it's a small screwdriver type thing to release, but it don't take removing from the car...any which a way you go these columns are a PIA to work on....
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,815
Likes: 470
From: Wichita Kansas
Partial success
Well, the solution to the problem with the cylinder lock became apparent just before I was going to remove the column for the 3rd time: I had not paid close enough attention to that lever on the shift tube (#66). Just before I was going to remove the column, I grabbed that lever to remove the cotter pin and pulled up on it. I thought, I wonder if that did anything, and sure enough, the cylinder lock then began working perfectly! So a lesson to be learned, make sure that lever is in the full up position before tightening the two bolts that anchor the column to the firewall. I am sure that is in Jim's papers someplace. Now on to that stupid tilt mechanism It's still as bad as it was....I've just got to get that fixed. Could the problem be the springs on the lock shoes? They look like a lot of fun to replace. Since the tilt lever releases the shoes so that you can index them on another step, what is to keep those shoes anchored to that pin? Understanding how that works might help in it's repair. Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Each lock shoe has a small coil spring that reacts against it. The two springs go into the bearing housing before the shoes are locked in place by the pivot pin. The springs push on the end of the lock shoes and force them up into the pin that is pressed into the support.
You will then need to push down on the shoes so that you can install the pivot lever. One of my manuals shows a wedge shaped piece that holds the shoes down away from the bearing housing to gain the clearance to install the pivot lever.
Jim
You will then need to push down on the shoes so that you can install the pivot lever. One of my manuals shows a wedge shaped piece that holds the shoes down away from the bearing housing to gain the clearance to install the pivot lever.
Jim
Last edited by Jim Shea; Aug 27, 2008 at 12:18 AM.
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Austin Texas
Location of lock shoes
Does it make a difference which lock shoe goes on which side? I neglected to note this on disassembly and I want to make sure I get it right so I don't have to tear the column down again.
The two shoes both look to have what is 3 "slots" that are staggered. If I align them via the pivot holes then one has a longer tip than the other (before the fist slot). The other also seem to have some type of indicator groove on the head directly above the pivot hole.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
The two shoes both look to have what is 3 "slots" that are staggered. If I align them via the pivot holes then one has a longer tip than the other (before the fist slot). The other also seem to have some type of indicator groove on the head directly above the pivot hole.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
I don't believe that it makes any difference which shoe goes where. Each shoe has its own spring that is pushing on it with quite a bit of force. The shoe slots are tapered so within reason I would think that your replacement pin should be OK. Each individual shoe should pivot freely with no slop. The pin that they engage must be secure.
Are you sure that the actual pivot pins in the support and the pivot holes in the bearing housing are free from wear?
Jim
Are you sure that the actual pivot pins in the support and the pivot holes in the bearing housing are free from wear?
Jim
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8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Austin Texas
Thanks Jim. Everything lined up correctly and there was no wear. I think I just explained things incorrectly. Per your PM yesterday I put everything back together and all worked out well. On anothe note, I noticed when I was putting my lower shaft bearing on that my column did not have a spring about the plastic retainer. Your document shows one but does not mention it. How critical is this part?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
The T&T column does not have a spring down by the lower bearing. The standard (non-adjustable) columns do have a spring.
Neither the T&T blowup drawing nor the Disassembly & Repair Pic page #3 shows a spring. You must be talking about Disassembly & Repair Paper #2 page #7. The pictures that I used must have been from a standard column. I will add a note to that page.
Thanks for the feedback.
Jim
Neither the T&T blowup drawing nor the Disassembly & Repair Pic page #3 shows a spring. You must be talking about Disassembly & Repair Paper #2 page #7. The pictures that I used must have been from a standard column. I will add a note to that page.
Thanks for the feedback.
Jim