Tilt/tele conversion

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Dec 28, 2008 | 05:41 PM

GRIZ73

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 167

Likes: 2

From: BLACKSBURG VA

Tilt/tele conversion

I am in the midst of converting a stiff column to a t/t and the t/t column comes up about 3" short at the coupling. I am assuming the column compressed in shipping. Can anybody explainto me how to reextend ? All help will be appeciated.

Dec 28, 2008 | 05:44 PM

BigBlockTank

Melting Slicks

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 2,429

Likes: 0

From: Tucson AZ

Dumb question on my end, are you using a rag joint or "U" joint of some kind?

Dec 28, 2008 | 05:48 PM

GRIZ73

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 167

Likes: 2

From: BLACKSBURG VA

tilt/tle conversion

rag joint

Dec 28, 2008 | 07:27 PM

tigers123

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 1,100

Likes: 3

From: belle plaine ks

You might email Jim Shea. He is an expert on all issues with steering columns. I believe someone said he was a former Saginaw engineer. Anyway if he don't know the answer nobody will

Dec 28, 2008 | 07:34 PM

mrvette

Team Owner

Joined: Jul 1999

Posts: 65,492

Likes: 230

From: Orange Park Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by GRIZ73

Take a large pair of pliars or vice grips, and tap it out with a hammer....apparently some nylon form in there when made, but it's broken by now...not to worry, mine has been similar for some 15 years now....

Dec 29, 2008 | 12:10 AM

GRIZ73

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 167

Likes: 2

From: BLACKSBURG VA

tilt/tele conversion

Thanks ! I wanted to beat on it . Just didn't know where to start.

Dec 29, 2008 | 07:45 AM

Jim Shea

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 6,001

Likes: 113

From: Saginaw Michigan

For some reason (that I have not been able to figure out) the collapsible steering shaft compresses into the steering column a lot easier than it comes back out. Your 1969 thru 1976 T&T steering column should have the steering shaft sticking out of the lower end of the jacket by 4.70 inches.

I would suggest attaching the cast flange to the shaft and try to apply a constant force to the shaft to pull it out to the 4.70 dimension. If you must "tap" on the flange to get it out, do it with only as little force as possible. You don't want to damage the bearings that support the steering shaft.

Jim

Dec 29, 2008 | 08:19 AM

jnb5101

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 8,117

Likes: 104

From: charlotte north carolina

i cut different length sections of heavy wall plastic pipe that would just fit over the shaft. that allowed me to pry against the rag joint fitting using the pipe as a fulcrum. the pipe fit nicely against the lower column flange. as the tube extended, i'd change to a longer length, and continue prying.