stearing column help...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
stearing column help...
So, I finally got my 10 dollar piece of plastic, but now I have a new problem.
76' tilt and telescoping column.
I dug in, looking for wiring problems, and to tighten those 3 bolts to get rid of the play in the wheel. Did those things, went to put it back together, and the plastic cover for the shaft retainer clip crumbled into dust in my hands. Got the new one in, and tried to install it all back together today, and I can't for the life of me figure out what keeps the inner shaft from pulling all the way out.
So long as I hold the retainer and the plastic clip down in place, the metal retainer keeps the shaft from going in or out too far. However, what holds those things in? In the shaft, there is a piece of metal that looks like a key of some sort, straight on one side, and then rounded on the other, and it fits into a grove in the hole for the shaft in the column. Also, there is another metal rod within the shaft, and I assume that works in conjunction with the "key" piece, to lock it into place.
But how???????
I have my years AIM book, but it shows NOTHING of the stearing shaft inside the column. Go figure.
I just want to drive it before it gets too cold.......
76' tilt and telescoping column.
I dug in, looking for wiring problems, and to tighten those 3 bolts to get rid of the play in the wheel. Did those things, went to put it back together, and the plastic cover for the shaft retainer clip crumbled into dust in my hands. Got the new one in, and tried to install it all back together today, and I can't for the life of me figure out what keeps the inner shaft from pulling all the way out.
So long as I hold the retainer and the plastic clip down in place, the metal retainer keeps the shaft from going in or out too far. However, what holds those things in? In the shaft, there is a piece of metal that looks like a key of some sort, straight on one side, and then rounded on the other, and it fits into a grove in the hole for the shaft in the column. Also, there is another metal rod within the shaft, and I assume that works in conjunction with the "key" piece, to lock it into place.
But how???????
I have my years AIM book, but it shows NOTHING of the stearing shaft inside the column. Go figure.
I just want to drive it before it gets too cold.......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
does this "key" you describe look like a [ retainer about 1" across? if this is the piece you are referring to, the coil spring must be compressed to expose the slots that the retainer slides into. the telescoping function has to be locked, so that you can use the threads on the end of the center shaft to compress the spring. to lock the tele function, the rod( about 4" long and 3/16" diameter) is tightened into place with the star nut or a 5/16" (i think) bolt. i made a compressor out of a piece of 1/8 bar. it has a center hole to slide over the previously mentioned shaft threads, and two 1/4" bolts at the sides that are positioned so that the bolts push the large metal plate that covers the turn switch.
get jim sheas papers at corvettefaq.com for detailed info and diagrams.
afer you do this about 4 times, it gets easy.
get jim sheas papers at corvettefaq.com for detailed info and diagrams.
afer you do this about 4 times, it gets easy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
I apologize that this isn't the sharpest scan but you just need to have the key and the rod in place and then thread the "star" locking screw #3 into the end of the upper steering shaft.
When you tighten the star screw it pushes the rod against the key. This ***** the key into the lower steering shaft and locks the two shafts together.
The reason that the AIM does not show the rod and key is that the AIM only concerns itself with parts that the car assembly plant must assemble. The T&T steering column was shipped from Saginaw with the key and locking rod already in place inside the upper shafts. Saginaw even supplied a set screw in the end of the shaft to prevent the rod from falling out. The assembly plant threw the set screw away and threaded the star screw into the end of the upper shaft. With reference to the "star" screw there is even a note "Z" on the above AIM sheet that says "Replaces set screw in steering column shaft."
Here is a portion of the Saginaw T&T Strg Column Assembly Drawing. You can see the key and the locking rod in this sectional view.
Good luck,
Jim
When you tighten the star screw it pushes the rod against the key. This ***** the key into the lower steering shaft and locks the two shafts together.
The reason that the AIM does not show the rod and key is that the AIM only concerns itself with parts that the car assembly plant must assemble. The T&T steering column was shipped from Saginaw with the key and locking rod already in place inside the upper shafts. Saginaw even supplied a set screw in the end of the shaft to prevent the rod from falling out. The assembly plant threw the set screw away and threaded the star screw into the end of the upper shaft. With reference to the "star" screw there is even a note "Z" on the above AIM sheet that says "Replaces set screw in steering column shaft."
Here is a portion of the Saginaw T&T Strg Column Assembly Drawing. You can see the key and the locking rod in this sectional view.
Good luck,
Jim
Last edited by Jim Shea; Oct 7, 2008 at 07:23 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
OK, that second image did it, thanks Jim.
I had that key in facing the wrong direction. It still seems like it won't work, as there seems to be no lip for it to catch onto, and hold...but I'll give it a shot when I get off work tomorrow.
Thanks a lot.
I had that key in facing the wrong direction. It still seems like it won't work, as there seems to be no lip for it to catch onto, and hold...but I'll give it a shot when I get off work tomorrow.
Thanks a lot.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
OK, 2 questions, now.
On the second image you posted jim, which side is the stearing wheel on? I'm trying to figure out which end of the key goes towards the steering, and which goes towards the front of the car.
Also, I seem to have run into another odd problem.
The start screw does not want to fit into the shaft? What gives? It came out fine.....now it seems like it's too big to go in, and while I CAN force it in, I'm just cutting new threads....not good. Help?
On the second image you posted jim, which side is the stearing wheel on? I'm trying to figure out which end of the key goes towards the steering, and which goes towards the front of the car.
Also, I seem to have run into another odd problem.
The start screw does not want to fit into the shaft? What gives? It came out fine.....now it seems like it's too big to go in, and while I CAN force it in, I'm just cutting new threads....not good. Help?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,347
Likes: 418
From: Seattle Area WA
The steering wheel is to the right on that drawing. Did the PM with pics help you out at all Kevin? Regarding the star screw, did you use a press or puller or anything on that shaft that may have damaged the threads on the end?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
I am quite sure that you have damaged the very end threads on the upper steering shaft when you used a steering wheel puller or the lock plate compresser tool. I am on vacation and cannot open any of my papers from this hotel. Go to:
www.corvettefaq.com
click on Jim Shea's Steering Papers
click on Corvette Steering Papers
download T&T Steering Column Disassembly & Repair Paper #1
Somewhere in the first several pages there is a tip on placing a washer or a penny on the end of the steering shaft to prevent damaging the end threads when you use those tools. Also in that same paper is the thread call-out for the female thread on the end of the steering shaft. You will need to purchase or borrow a thread tap in order to fix the damaged thread.
And yes, the steering wheel is on the right.
Jim
www.corvettefaq.com
click on Jim Shea's Steering Papers
click on Corvette Steering Papers
download T&T Steering Column Disassembly & Repair Paper #1
Somewhere in the first several pages there is a tip on placing a washer or a penny on the end of the steering shaft to prevent damaging the end threads when you use those tools. Also in that same paper is the thread call-out for the female thread on the end of the steering shaft. You will need to purchase or borrow a thread tap in order to fix the damaged thread.
And yes, the steering wheel is on the right.
Jim
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
Thanks, guys.
I did use a puller to get the wheel off....
Looks like I gotta try to find the correct size tap....which will most likely end up being online, as tool shops around here kinda suck. They only sell tap and die kits of generic sizes, and NO ONE around here sells them individually, in any other sizes other than what comes in the set. Good times.
Your paper sorta helped, scott, but it kinda skipped past what I needed to know about the key piece.
That paper would have been EXTREMELY helpful BEFORE I tore everything apart in the column....wish I had had it then, woulda saved me a lot of time, agrivation, and anxiety.
I did use a puller to get the wheel off....
Looks like I gotta try to find the correct size tap....which will most likely end up being online, as tool shops around here kinda suck. They only sell tap and die kits of generic sizes, and NO ONE around here sells them individually, in any other sizes other than what comes in the set. Good times.
Your paper sorta helped, scott, but it kinda skipped past what I needed to know about the key piece.
That paper would have been EXTREMELY helpful BEFORE I tore everything apart in the column....wish I had had it then, woulda saved me a lot of time, agrivation, and anxiety.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
I am quite sure that you have damaged the very end threads on the upper steering shaft when you used a steering wheel puller or the lock plate compresser tool. I am on vacation and cannot open any of my papers from this hotel. Go to:
www.corvettefaq.com
click on Jim Shea's Steering Papers
click on Corvette Steering Papers
download T&T Steering Column Disassembly & Repair Paper #1
Somewhere in the first several pages there is a tip on placing a washer or a penny on the end of the steering shaft to prevent damaging the end threads when you use those tools. Also in that same paper is the thread call-out for the female thread on the end of the steering shaft. You will need to purchase or borrow a thread tap in order to fix the damaged thread.
And yes, the steering wheel is on the right.
Jim
www.corvettefaq.com
click on Jim Shea's Steering Papers
click on Corvette Steering Papers
download T&T Steering Column Disassembly & Repair Paper #1
Somewhere in the first several pages there is a tip on placing a washer or a penny on the end of the steering shaft to prevent damaging the end threads when you use those tools. Also in that same paper is the thread call-out for the female thread on the end of the steering shaft. You will need to purchase or borrow a thread tap in order to fix the damaged thread.
And yes, the steering wheel is on the right.
Jim
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 28
From: Tallmadge Ohio
C3 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
Oldtimer
Take a look at this pic. http://www.docrebuild.com/dr-r-web/ST-COL4.PDF. I hope the link works. You have to have a key (TT)that has a notch it for the locking rod (RR) to push on. If you have the correct key and locking rod and it still does not lock you will need a locking wedge bumper (UU). Hope this will help, Doc Rebuild has the parts. I always order off of him I think he has the best parts and selection. Chuck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Kevin,
Can you have a friend download the papers? You might owe him/her about 50 sheets of paper when the printing is done but the various papers will walk you through the disassembly and repair process a step at a time.
Jim
Can you have a friend download the papers? You might owe him/her about 50 sheets of paper when the printing is done but the various papers will walk you through the disassembly and repair process a step at a time.
Jim