5sp Tremec and Steering Column Lock
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: IL
5sp Tremec and Steering Column Lock
Question goes out to those who've installed a 5sp Tremec/TKO trans and still have steering lock when parked. Since the '69-up incorporate a cable from trans to steering column to lock the steering wheel..how did you keep this feature with the Tremec/TKO? With the standard 4sp, the cable attaches to the shifter linkage but now that has all changed with the shift linkage internal to the 5sp. Just currious how this works since also affects locking the key switch as well.
I don't have my install manual handy and I don't see any mention of it online. How does this feature still work after the install?
GD
I don't have my install manual handy and I don't see any mention of it online. How does this feature still work after the install?
GD
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
This no longer becomes a working piece. Just make sure the arm lock stays in the up position and you will not have a problem. With the shifter on the Tremec there is really no provision for the cable lock. I have done several of these and just make the steering column lock not functional. This way you can leave it in any gear and still remove the key.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
With the lever on the lower end of the steering column in the full UP position (about 1 o'clock if you could see it from the driver seat) you will be able to shut off your engine and lock the steering wheel even thought your car is still moving forward. The system was called the Steering Column/Transmission Shift Interlock. It was a safety feature that GM built into your Corvette.
You will need to secure the lower lever in the full UP position. If the lever moves down you will find that you will still be able to shut off your engine but you will not be able to remove your ignition key.
With the interlock system disabled, you will not be able to lock your shifter, but your steering wheel will be locked when you remove your ignition key.
A lot of owners have removed the Interlock System when they installed headers and/or new transmissions.
Jim
You will need to secure the lower lever in the full UP position. If the lever moves down you will find that you will still be able to shut off your engine but you will not be able to remove your ignition key.
With the interlock system disabled, you will not be able to lock your shifter, but your steering wheel will be locked when you remove your ignition key.
A lot of owners have removed the Interlock System when they installed headers and/or new transmissions.
Jim
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 294
Likes: 1
From: Racine Wisconsin
I know this is an old thread, but I'll post my comments here rather than start a new one:
I installed the TKO several years ago. I like the safety feature that Jim describes. My intent is to preserve the feature of not allowing the steering wheel to lock unless the car is stopped. This car is eventually going to be driven my my daughter and I'm trying to think of 'what might go wrong'. I have thought about how to restore this feature with the TKO installed. Short of designing and fabricating something for the TKO, the only ideas that I have come up with are: 1) To have the cabe somehow linked to the parking brake handle. Activating the parking brake handle (presumably the car is not moving when this is done) would push the steering column interlock up so the key can be removed. 2) Have a spring-loaded manual handle inside to do the same as the parking brake (my current favorite). My $0.002. Regards, Ken
I installed the TKO several years ago. I like the safety feature that Jim describes. My intent is to preserve the feature of not allowing the steering wheel to lock unless the car is stopped. This car is eventually going to be driven my my daughter and I'm trying to think of 'what might go wrong'. I have thought about how to restore this feature with the TKO installed. Short of designing and fabricating something for the TKO, the only ideas that I have come up with are: 1) To have the cabe somehow linked to the parking brake handle. Activating the parking brake handle (presumably the car is not moving when this is done) would push the steering column interlock up so the key can be removed. 2) Have a spring-loaded manual handle inside to do the same as the parking brake (my current favorite). My $0.002. Regards, Ken
1st Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
This no longer becomes a working piece. Just make sure the arm lock stays in the up position and you will not have a problem. With the shifter on the Tremec there is really no provision for the cable lock. I have done several of these and just make the steering column lock not functional. This way you can leave it in any gear and still remove the key.
