wc114

I have my steering column dissasembled past the turn signal cam, but I cant get the ignition lock cover off after removing the three screws that hold it on. my car is 1969 corvette tilt wheel. Im trying to replace the ignition switch rack but Im stuck???

MelWff

I'm not 100% sure on this but dont you push down on the cover and pop out a retainer in the center holding it onto the steering shaft.

Duke94

You need this tool (available at any Autoparts store for 15 bucks or so)

Gary

Also, get all the Jim Shea Steering column papers in the Forum Tech articles section.
http://corvette.wikia.com/index.php?title=Main_Page

wc114

Never saw that before, looks like a custom wheel puller?

wc114

Actually Im past that stage, still cant get the lock cover off

Duke94

What are you calling the 'lock cover'? Can you post a picture?

Gary

wc114

The cover that the ignition switch fits into. I need to get the gear out that the ignition switch turns. The cover is just like the picture above. But it won't come off the steering column

Duke94

Do you have it to this stage?



If so, remove the turn signal switch and (as I recall) there are 4 screws that hold the lock housing to the rest of the column. Note that this is a non-tilt column. If yours is a T/T, it will have more parts but will be basically the same.



Gary

Jim Shea

Do you have a standard (non-adjustable) column or a T&T?

So you have the turn signal switch out of the housing. You must have removed the three screws that hold the housing to the support and now the housing won't come off. Does the housing move at all?

There was a posting recently where the lock bolt was frozen to the housing and wouldn't allow the housing to be removed. Some minor heat and repeated applications of penetrating oil finally got the housing to release.

Jim

wc114

yes its a T/T, and I have the three bolts out. Do you have a picture of the lock bolt? and do I need to take out the ignition switch also? I read about a metal cover over the slot but mine doesnt seem to have that, I can stick a screwdriver driver in the slot but I cant seem to be able to depress the release mechanism to remove the switch

wc114

Thanks for all the replies, still at a standstill

Jim Shea

Just to get the terminology straight. The lock cylinder is the part that accepts your ignition key.

The ignition switch is down under the dash and is mounted on top of the steering column jacket. The ignition switch is actuated by a rod that extends down from the column head.

Insert a small screwdriver into the slot in the turn signal switch housing and remove the lock cylinder.

That should allow the housing to slide up and off of the bearing housing and lock bolt.

Jim

wc114

well I got the housing off, but I still need to get to the rack that the sector gear turns. I believe that is whats broken. I looked at all the steering guide papers but I'm still unclear on how to get the rack out?

wc114

Ok I got the tilt spring and pivot pins out, but the housing doesnt what to come off. It feels like something on the top is holding it on??

TimAT

With the pivot pins and spring removed, screw your tilt lever back in and use it to release the tilt rack. Pull the lever and move the upper tilt bowl down and toward you.

Jim Shea

Once you have the turn signal switch housing removed you will have access to the pivot pins. You will need to remove both pins. You will find that the pin on the driver side also traps the rack inside the bearing housing. You will also find that the curved section on the rack will be engaged to a pin on the rod that extends down to the ignition switch. You will have an assembly similar to the following.

Once you have installed the new rack into the bearing housing you will now have to tip and work the assembly back onto the steering shaft as well as attaching the rack to the pin on the ignition switch rod.

Hope that these help.
Jim

wc114

thanks for all the help, I got the broken rack out, the spacer or washer behind the ignition lock is broken need to order it but I dont know what its called and I can find it on a parts list?

Jim Shea

If I remember correctly, the early lock cylinders could be taken apart and serviced. Whether or not service parts for that broken ring are still available, I just don't know. I don't recall ever seeing the part.

You could just replace the lock cylinder with a new one and new keys.

Jim