how do you remove the lock cover?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Fl
how do you remove the lock cover?
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???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
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
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
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
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
Last edited by Duke94; May 8, 2011 at 09:04 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
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
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
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Fl
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
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
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
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
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Fl
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?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
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.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
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
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
Last edited by Jim Shea; May 10, 2011 at 06:52 AM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Fl
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?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
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
You could just replace the lock cylinder with a new one and new keys.
Jim
