68 Steering Column Help
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 361
From: Monson MA
68 Steering Column Help
Reconditioning my standard column and have a couple questions.
1 - Shaft threads are beat up a bit but savable. I need to know the thread size and count so I can get the correct chaser and straiten them out (this where the nut secures the steering wheel).
2 - I have about a 1/16 sideways and up and down play (not in and out) in the top bearing. Should this bearing be replaced or is there play in this area?
I do have and read Jim Shea's papers as well as the AIM. Neither gives me the shaft nut and thread size or the play tolerance.
Thanks for the input.
1 - Shaft threads are beat up a bit but savable. I need to know the thread size and count so I can get the correct chaser and straiten them out (this where the nut secures the steering wheel).
2 - I have about a 1/16 sideways and up and down play (not in and out) in the top bearing. Should this bearing be replaced or is there play in this area?
I do have and read Jim Shea's papers as well as the AIM. Neither gives me the shaft nut and thread size or the play tolerance.
Thanks for the input.
Last edited by twinpack; Feb 17, 2013 at 08:19 PM. Reason: Changed play dimension
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 361
From: Monson MA
Reconditioning my standard column and have a couple questions.
1 - Shaft threads are beat up a bit but savable. I need to know the thread size and count so I can get the correct chaser and straiten them out (this where the nut secures the steering wheel).
2 - I have about a 1/16 sideways and up and down play (not in and out) in the top bearing. Should this bearing be replaced or is there play in this area?
I do have and read Jim Shea's papers as well as the AIM. Neither gives me the shaft nut and thread size or the play tolerance.
Thanks for the input.
1 - Shaft threads are beat up a bit but savable. I need to know the thread size and count so I can get the correct chaser and straiten them out (this where the nut secures the steering wheel).
2 - I have about a 1/16 sideways and up and down play (not in and out) in the top bearing. Should this bearing be replaced or is there play in this area?
I do have and read Jim Shea's papers as well as the AIM. Neither gives me the shaft nut and thread size or the play tolerance.
Thanks for the input.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 361
From: Monson MA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING THREAD FOR CORRECT INFORMATION.
I finally found a Saginaw column drawing with the threads called out. The nut would be a 9/16-18 UNF thread all the way to 1978. Then the thread was changed to metric and was M14x1.5-6g.
Jim
I finally found a Saginaw column drawing with the threads called out. The nut would be a 9/16-18 UNF thread all the way to 1978. Then the thread was changed to metric and was M14x1.5-6g.
Jim
Last edited by Jim Shea; Feb 19, 2013 at 11:06 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
I'm sorry, I was wrong on the 1968 C3 Corvette standard column steering shaft thread. I did not realize that standard (non-adjustable) and the telescoping columns for the 1967-68 Corvettes had different threads:
On the standard (non-adjustable) columns the thread were 1/2-20.
On the telescoping columns the threads were 9/16-18.
Jim
On the standard (non-adjustable) columns the thread were 1/2-20.
On the telescoping columns the threads were 9/16-18.
Jim
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 361
From: Monson MA
Jim thank you for yor response and I'd like to thank peterman as well. I also am still a little confused on the replacement of the lower bearing. I don't see any detailed instruction as there is for the upper. Am I missing something as I read the papers or is there another paper explaining the procedure?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 304
Likes: 36
From: Idaho
See this ebay link for a picture of the upper bearing. 67 & 68's are the same part tele or std. The bearing is pressed in the aluminum housing making this a pricier part.
Whats your question about the lower bearing?
This is my ebay auction but I'm posting it to show the part for discussion. I also have posted a shaft on ebay if you need to look at it also.
Corkguy
Whats your question about the lower bearing?
This is my ebay auction but I'm posting it to show the part for discussion. I also have posted a shaft on ebay if you need to look at it also.
Corkguy
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,461
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From: Monson MA
Thanks Corkguy I will find your ebay post and take a look. There is no link here. I was wondering when I get the upper hub off and cam will the shaft slide out from the bottom of the column exposing the lower bearing. Looking at it last night, I have a new issue. The PO installed a after market wheel and the hub has me scratching my head on how I will remove it and not damage any orther parts. I barrowed a wheel puller but it have the 1/2"x20 thread adapter. So it's of no use to me. I am sure I will figure something out it is only a steering column.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 4
From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
Jim thank you for yor response and I'd like to thank peterman as well. I also am still a little confused on the replacement of the lower bearing. I don't see any detailed instruction as there is for the upper. Am I missing something as I read the papers or is there another paper explaining the procedure?
FWIW: The lower bearing is press fit into the column tube. I'm pretty sure the steering shaft just slips through it (it's been a long time since I had mine apart). If you do have to remove it be careful not to strike the column too hard. The column is designed to collapse in a collision and it will deform if treated too roughly.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 361
From: Monson MA
Do what you can to avoid replacing the lower bearing if you can save it. They are very difficult to find and nobody that I am aware of makes an exact replacement. I did find a functional replacement from Long Island Corvette. They deal mostly in C2's but the '67 and '68 columns are very similar. Once installed you can't see the bearing anyway. I believe the play you are experiencing is due to the upper bearing which is available.
FWIW: The lower bearing is press fit into the column tube. I'm pretty sure the steering shaft just slips through it (it's been a long time since I had mine apart). If you do have to remove it be careful not to strike the column too hard. The column is designed to collapse in a collision and it will deform if treated too roughly.
FWIW: The lower bearing is press fit into the column tube. I'm pretty sure the steering shaft just slips through it (it's been a long time since I had mine apart). If you do have to remove it be careful not to strike the column too hard. The column is designed to collapse in a collision and it will deform if treated too roughly.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 361
From: Monson MA
Thanks for input. I did get the upper column apart and have replaced the bearing. But I can not get the shaft out it will move about 1" and stops. It feels like there is a retaining clip inside. I did find a lower bearing for replacement. But if I could get away with greasing the bearing I guess I'm ok with that. It was the upper with the play. The bottom bearing does not seem to have any sideways play but I think it should be lubed somehow. Any ideas?