Hey All,
Got a used t/t column to replace the straigh job in my '69. Gonna be a couple weeks worth of refinishing/painting. I will also be replacing the rag joint while I'm at it.
Anyone been there - done that? Anything to look out for or any hints to make the job go easier?
Normally when I'm replacing parts, I'll break the first one, curse alot, figure out how i should have done it, buy another new part, then put it in again with no problems. This one's too expensive(read wife will go on murderous rampage) to break so I'm gonna try to do it once, the right way. :crazy:
Hopefully won't be too bad of a job. :rolleyes:
:cheers:
-Tom

 

Replacing a standard (non-adjustable) column with a T&T should be real easy. Here are some questions and facts to help you:

1). Did the T&T column come with the steering wheel hub, extension, horn, and telescoping hardware. Your old original steering wheel should bolt right up as long as you have the rest of the above T&T mounting parts. The turn signal lever from your standard column will not fit the T&T.

2). Your Vette is a 1969 so are you sure that the T&T column is from a 1969 through 1975? These columns should fit your Vette exactly. A 1976 column will not have a hub or the correct horn, or telescoping hardware.

3). If for some reason you want to retain your original ignition lock cylinder and keys, it will fit your new T&T. You will have to disassemble both columns to swap the lock cylinders however.

4). The standard column ignition switch (mounted on top of the column jacket) does not interchange with adjustable column ignition switch. One switch operates by pushing on the rod, the other by a pulling motion. However, either switch will snap right into your vehicle wiring harness.

If you go to http://www.corvettefaq.com and look under Suspension and Steering, there is a paper entitled Adjust Dimmer and/or Ignition Switch. This paper also describes dropping the steering column and may be of some help in installing your new T&T.

If you want to swap ignition lock cylinders the above websight has two papers on disassembling either column. They are entitled: Standard Column Disassembly Instructions, Column Blowup Pic, and two Pics and Tilt & Telescoping Disassembly Instructions, Column Blowup Pic, and three Pics.

Jim Shea


[Modified by Jim Shea, 9:31 PM 1/17/2002]

 

Wow, lots of good information on the pages you linked me to.
Thanks Jim.
:cheers:

 

Jim....I wish I had known that when I was doing mine!!! We fooled around for about 30 minutes before we figured it out. Since disassembled the entire T&T column to restore it, we had nothing to really go on visually so we thought we had re-assembled the sector gear or rack assembly incorrectly.

FYI...I read all your info & it was very helpful. I found a source for many NOS discontinued parts for T&T column that you may want to add to your documentation. The owner, Tom, was very personable & helpful. He had the NOS plastic sector gear which is next to impossible to find.

Corvette Steering Service
Tom Reina - President
PHONE (864) 287-9990
FAX (864) 287-5324
2215 Mullinax Drive
Anderson SC 29625- 6145

Tom...Did you get the T&T that was for sale on the Forum?

Mark


[Modified by mdsmith, 12:20 AM 1/18/2002]

 

Mark,
Yep, the one me and you talked about in the C3 parts section arrived today. Thanks for all the refinishing tips you gave me. Should be fun!
:cheers:
Tom

 

Tom...did you pay asking price? Either way its a great deal! Check out this one on eBay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cg...item=600623149

Its up to $355 & there's over 4 days left. It will see $500 for sure. Let me know if you have any difficulties with the restore or install, I'd be glad to help in any way I can.

Mark

 

Yeah, $350. Not too bad. I followed alot of auctions on ebay over the summer for my column, and most ended up in the $550 - $600 range. The pro rebuilders all quoted me between $650 and $700, so I think I did ok.
Thanks for the help, I'm sure I'm going to have a few more questions before this one's over! :crazy:
:cheers:
Tom

 

Cool :cool:

 

Did they offer Tilt/Tele for non PS cars? I ask because I don't have PS and I'd like to do the swap myself, but am a little concerned about the extra force manual steering wil put on the components.

 

The steering columns (standard, tilt, and T&T) were all validated at manual steering loads. Without question, the lighter efforts with power steering are easier on the column bearings etc. but the column was built to withstand manual steering type abuse.

Jim Shea