Installing the Steering Column
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Columbus GA
Installing the Steering Column
I am ready ( I think ) to reinstall the steering column and connect with rag joint and box. Since this is ( in my opinion ) a critical piece of this 69 Coupe, I would like someone with experience to give me some advice on the do's and don't do's with this project. I have read some article about being very precise with the alignment. What am I looking for? I think the rag joint should be almost snug to the steering box, how much of the column shaft will get into the ragjoint? I have one picture of the rag joint before disassembly, not my best effort. Just want to be sure before I get started...Also, I know I need to replace the blinker switch.Would it make sense to do this prior to installing in the car or would it matter. It's a 69 and I think you have to remove a little of the column at the top as the switch has a hole and doesn't just pop in and out.Sorry so long winded
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
I suggest that you take a look at a couple of my Corvette steering papers that are found at www.corvettefaq.com
Click on Jim Shea's Steering Papers
Click on Corvette Steering Papers
Scroll down to the Flexible Coupling section and download the scan of the steering column installation AIM sheet (the first paper in that section.)
You didn't mention is you have a standard (non-adjustable) column or a Tilt & Telescoping column. Scroll down to the appropriate type column section. Download Disassembly & Repair Papers #1 & #2. They will take you through replacing your turn signal switch as well as removing and reinstalling your steering column.
Jim
Click on Jim Shea's Steering Papers
Click on Corvette Steering Papers
Scroll down to the Flexible Coupling section and download the scan of the steering column installation AIM sheet (the first paper in that section.)
You didn't mention is you have a standard (non-adjustable) column or a Tilt & Telescoping column. Scroll down to the appropriate type column section. Download Disassembly & Repair Papers #1 & #2. They will take you through replacing your turn signal switch as well as removing and reinstalling your steering column.
Jim
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Columbus GA
I suggest that you take a look at a couple of my Corvette steering papers that are found at www.corvettefaq.com
Click on Jim Shea's Steering Papers
Click on Corvette Steering Papers
Scroll down to the Flexible Coupling section and download the scan of the steering column installation AIM sheet (the first paper in that section.)
You didn't mention is you have a standard (non-adjustable) column or a Tilt & Telescoping column. Scroll down to the appropriate type column section. Download Disassembly & Repair Papers #1 & #2. They will take you through replacing your turn signal switch as well as removing and reinstalling your steering column.
Jim
Click on Jim Shea's Steering Papers
Click on Corvette Steering Papers
Scroll down to the Flexible Coupling section and download the scan of the steering column installation AIM sheet (the first paper in that section.)
You didn't mention is you have a standard (non-adjustable) column or a Tilt & Telescoping column. Scroll down to the appropriate type column section. Download Disassembly & Repair Papers #1 & #2. They will take you through replacing your turn signal switch as well as removing and reinstalling your steering column.
Jim
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
One thing that happened to me when putting my column back in my '73 automatic was I found out the trans was not locked when the car was in park and would roll with a clicking sound. Thank goodness I realized this while the car was in the garage and not parked on a hill.
The lever at the bottom of the column was connected correctly to the cable and was in the full "up" position and I still had the problem. I had to loosen the bolts at the firewall, reposition the column and tighten them back down and all was o.k. I have to assume that even though the lever was connected correctly and in the full up position that the cable to the trans was not getting full travel and that by repositioning the column at the firewall it allowed the cable to travel a little more.
Anyway...be careful.
The lever at the bottom of the column was connected correctly to the cable and was in the full "up" position and I still had the problem. I had to loosen the bolts at the firewall, reposition the column and tighten them back down and all was o.k. I have to assume that even though the lever was connected correctly and in the full up position that the cable to the trans was not getting full travel and that by repositioning the column at the firewall it allowed the cable to travel a little more.
Anyway...be careful.
