I put my steering column back together last night after replacing the notorious ignition swtich rack. The one from Zip has been beefed up a little. Anyways, my main concern is the upper column is a little wobbly (I know it will wear if I drive it much) and I think it has something to do with the upper bearing not being tight enough (how does that spring make it tight)? Also, my turn signals won't cancel, the horn doesn't work, and the anti-theft feature is out. Also the telescopic feature, won't lock. I followed the Haynes manual and looked for exploded views in my assembly manual and no dice. It is a telt-telescopic on a '69. Can you or anyone else help me?

 

Go to Jim Shea steering papers:
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?page_id=4
Avner

 

Your column is probably not assembled correctly.

 

Yah THINK???

 

Need to clarify a few points.

You say that the upper column is wobbly and that it might have something to do with the upper bearing.

First of all if the bearing isn't tight, it will be the steering shaft that will wobble the actual column head should still be rigid. If the head is wobbly, you have other problems. BTW, the spring loads the inner bearing race up against the ***** in the bearing. This takes all of the tolerance out of the connection. This is how thrust bearings are designed to work.

Next you mention that your turn signal switch doesn't cancel, the horn doesn't work, and the telescope feature doesn't lock. Did those features all work before you took the column apart? This is a serious question because if some of the features didn't work before taking the column apart, then there could be parts missing, misassembled, etc from someone previously tearing into the column. If those functions worked before you took the column apart, then you have all of the parts and it is a matter of putting the column back together correctly.

What is the "anti-theft feature" that doesn't work? Are you refering to the lock bolt not extending up into the toothed locking plate?

As mentioned above, you need to go to the corvettefaq.com website and download my 69-82 Tilt & Telescoping Steering Column Papers. There are three papers, three pics, and also some blowup drawings of the steering wheel, horn parts, and telescope lock. Also another blowup drawing of just the steering column.

Jim

 

Everything worked perfectly and was tight except the horn when I turned the steering wheel about 90 degrees or more and the warning buzzer switch. The new switch from Zip is too small. Were there two designs? I could push down on that upper bearing and everyhing would be nice and tight. I put the spring on afterwards and no such luck. I see where the cancelling cam is supposed to hit the turn signal and also that everything must be absolutely perfect for the horn to work. The anti-theft statement did refer to the pin. I've read a few of your papers and I think I need the best possible exploded view of the column. Sorry for the delay - yesterday was very busy at work and today feels like a ghost town!

 

If the upper part of the column is wobbly more then likely the pins are worn. This is really common on the columns. The key buzzer switch is not available for a 69-76 car, it sounds like you bought a 77-82 switch which is smaller than the 69-76. If your column is that bad you may want to have someone who builds them go through it or purchase a used one that has already been built.

 

Hi Justin,

You took a look at my column in 2006. It is actually fine, but I put something in out of sequence. I think the exploded view pictures from Jim Shea will do the trick. The T&T buzzer switch was $38 from Wilcox. I guess I'm lucky to have found one at all.

 

The 1969-76 T&T key buzzer switch is not the same as the 1977-82 T&T key buzzer switch.
The 1969-76 T&T key buzzer switch has been repro'd.
http://www.corvettesteering.com/corvette%20parts.htm
The T&T switches are not the same as the standard (non-adjustable) column switch. The 1969-79 standard column switch is the same for all years.

Here are the Wilcox numbers:
69-76 T&T switch 7811093R
77-91 T&T switch 2902271G - 593096
69-82 Std switch 593139 (BTW Wilcox, this switch should NOT be listed for 1968.)

Jim

 

Ya, I learned this the hard way when the one from Zip didn't fit... Wilcox has the '69 T&T switch...I didn't realize there was another rare part on these things...working on it is like going to a museum.