My 75 tilt/telescopic column is in assembly and the C clip that holds the hub together is an absolute nightmare to install. How do I compress the internal hub assembly and slide this C clip into place without a press? It was easy taking it apart - not easy in assembly. I replaced the lower shaft bearing and nothing else - it looks good. I'll paint it when assembled.

Any input would be appreciated.

Mike

 

Is a 75 tilt/telescopic steering column a direct fit into a 76 C3 with a original non-tilt column? Is there a difference in the wiring? Do the long thin plugs along the column tube plug in the same way? Do I look for anything different? What wiring modifications should I do?

Mike

 

You need to purchase, borrow, or rent this special "bridge" tool to compress the locking plate.

The 1975 T&T is a direct fit into a 1976 Corvette with a standard steering column. All of the wiring connectors are the same. There is one slight "twist" to the wiring. The ignition switch (mounted on top of the steering column jacket, down under the dash) is different for a T&T than a standard column. The standard column switch operates in one direction (the rod from the steering column head pushes down toward the dash panel for the switch to reach the START position); the T&T switch operates in the opposite direction (the rod pulls up on the switch toward the driver in order to reach the START position.) This means that you have to take the three connectors that are part of the vehicle wiring and twist them around in order to plug them into the T&T ignition switch.

The turn signal connector (called a "harmonica" connector) should plug right into the vehicle harness. Sometimes the connector from a new switch (or different column) may not snap into the vehicle connector. (Although they look the same.) If this is the case, you will need to swap the steering column harmonica connectors.

Here is how you disengage and remove the individual switch wires and metal contacts from the plastic “harmonica” connector. Straighten a heavy paper clip or use a very thin blade screwdriver. Insert it into the “harmonica” connector from the contact side to disengage each wire and contact. There should be a small molded square channel in the connector that will guide you to a metal tang on the contact that holds it in place.

Once you depress the tang and pop the wire and contact out of the connector, you should take a small knife blade and bend the tang back out so that it will engage the connector correctly upon reinstallation.

Make sure that you reinstall the wires from your new steering column switch correctly into the connector from your old steering column.

This paper addresses installing and removing the steering column from the car.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...ev09ja2010.pdf

This paper addresses removing the steering wheel, horn contacts, telescope lock, lock cylinder, key buzzer switch, etc.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...ev13my2010.pdf

Good luck,
Jim

 

Thank you Jim.. I knew I needed a press of some kind.. My fingers were not strong enough to push the assembly down and slide the C clip wedge in place. I tried for a few hours with no luck. I'll look for the wiring stuff as well. Someone told me there may be a difference with turning the plugs around.

Mike

 

i've been through that before. It seemed it was impossible to get that C clip on......because it was. If you have the horn contact disk flipped around.

 

Find someone with storng fingers and have them push down on the assemble and you slide the c-clip in place.I was able to push mine down with my fingers but could not hold it and install the clip by myself,,girlfriend had to help on this on this part.

 

You can rent the tool at any AutoZone. AdvanceAuto probably has them also. The job is very easy when you have the tool.



Rick B.

 

My son has strong thumbs. Working together, he was able to compress a tilt column locking plate while I installed the round wire ring. With a T&T column the locking plate is deeper inside the turn signal switch housing and it is a lot more difficult to get down inside the housing to compress the plate. I would borrow, rent, or purchase the tool to compress the plate.

Jim