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I just bought a 1976 vette and the steering column is a mess... all the parts are there, but i think it needs to be rebuilt. I was hoping i could find a forum of someone who already asked this question of how to rebuild it, but i didnt have too much luck. I am only 19 and i dont really have anything to compare it to, to rebuild it. Maybe some one has pictures of their rebuild or some tips on how to start. Thanks!
Last edited by CoreyCorvette76; Mar 29, 2009 at 01:08 PM.
Looks like you have a tilt column which is a nice feature, but they could be a little more expensive to rebuild if the pivot is worn or damaged. If its the original column from a 76 you should be aware that you will be limited to choice of steering wheels. If I remember correctly, GM used the same wheel that came on other GM products like the Vega and you cannot interchange other steering wheels from other year corvettes. You may want to verify before sinking big bucks into the column.
If you're on a budget and you don't care about the tilt feature you could always sell the one you have (someone may want this feature) and buy a complete standard column from a 69 - 75 corvette. I think they are a direct fit. Again you should research. As suggested above, Jim Shea's site is a great place to learn about your column.
Looks like you have a tilt column which is a nice feature, but they could be a little more expensive to rebuild if the pivot is worn or damaged. If its the original column from a 76 you should be aware that you will be limited to choice of steering wheels. If I remember correctly, GM used the same wheel that came on other GM products like the Vega and you cannot interchange other steering wheels from other year corvettes. You may want to verify before sinking big bucks into the column.
If you're on a budget and you don't care about the tilt feature you could always sell the one you have (someone may want this feature) and buy a complete standard column from a 69 - 75 corvette. I think they are a direct fit. Again you should research. As suggested above, Jim Shea's site is a great place to learn about your column.
IMO the standard columns suck. The steering wheel is too close to the driver and ingress/egress is more difficult. It's a good position for racing but for daily driving it's too retro for my taste. The later model (77+) tilt/tele columns position the wheel a few inches closer to the dash and provide a much more comfortable driving position. If you are going to the trouble of replacing the column I would try to find a later model tilt/tele.
I fail to see anything there or by the OP's description that suggests a replacement of the column.
Print out the papers and have at it.
It may well be that someone had been in there before and assembled it incorrectly, with no new parts necessary at all.
This weekend i will get at it and hopefully notice that i HAVE all of the parts... i appreciate all the help and ill keep you'll updated with success... hopefully.
This weekend i will get at it and hopefully notice that i HAVE all of the parts... i appreciate all the help and ill keep you'll updated with success... hopefully.
... If its the original column from a 76 you should be aware that you will be limited to choice of steering wheels. If I remember correctly, GM used the same wheel that came on other GM products like the Vega and you cannot interchange other steering wheels from other year corvettes. You may want to verify before sinking big bucks into the column....
Not exactly true. The '76 has a unique steering wheel, but if you swap the hub it is the same as any other 69-75 T&T column.