Loose steering column
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Loose steering column
1975 Corvette loose steering column. Still puzzled. Not sure what I am looking for or how to tightened/fix this problem. Read an earlier post (9/2004) that spoke about upper and lower bearings other info is that there are two bolt/nuts to tighten. Can anyone help me with this issue.??
Jim
Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Loose in the tilt pivot housing? Probably means the housing is broken, but sometimes if you catch it early enough you can tighten the three bolts. Unfortunately the bolts are inside the column and require some disassembly to get to them.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 385
Likes: 3
From: Leesburg VA
I guess we really need a better definition of what, exactly is loose. On the General Forum I told you about the bolts through the firewall and the bolts holding the column to the bottom of the dashboard. Did you check those out? It is not fun crawling in and trying to peer under the dash, but that is what will be required if the whole steering column is loose. I got the impression from your earlier post that the whole column was loose in the car. If it is internal to the steering column, then my answer would not help...Jim knows the internals of the steering column.
Give us some more details and we can try to help you.
Give us some more details and we can try to help you.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Steering column
I guess we really need a better definition of what, exactly is loose. On the General Forum I told you about the bolts through the firewall and the bolts holding the column to the bottom of the dashboard. Did you check those out? It is not fun crawling in and trying to peer under the dash, but that is what will be required if the whole steering column is loose. I got the impression from your earlier post that the whole column was loose in the car. If it is internal to the steering column, then my answer would not help...Jim knows the internals of the steering column.
Give us some more details and we can try to help you.
Give us some more details and we can try to help you.
Looked for the bolt u spoke about but could not find them. Do I have to disassemble the column to see these bolts ?
Jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
Okay..best that I can describe it is..that it is NOT loose at the tilt pivot point it is that the entire column is loose going down to and thru the dash. I can move the entire column up/down..side to side.
Looked for the bolt u spoke about but could not find them. Do I have to disassemble the column to see these bolts ?
Jim
Looked for the bolt u spoke about but could not find them. Do I have to disassemble the column to see these bolts ?
Jim
Take off the lower cover, it should be held on by three screws. Then if you have AC (not sure about non AC cars) you need to remove the lower duct. Then you should see two bolts going straight up, holding the column to the dash support. If you are able to move the column that much, the bolts may not be there at all. If they are missing, you should see a plate on the bottom of the column, with two slits. The bolts go thru those slits.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 385
Likes: 3
From: Leesburg VA
I would check those bolts first as they are easier to get to. There are also two bolts where the steering column goes through the firewall. Take a look where the steering column comes out of the firewall inside the engine compartment and wiggle it. I think you should be able to tell if the column is loose at the firewall this way. I am betting on the plate supporting the steering column below the front edge of the dash.
John
John
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Tilt the column up and down. Note where the column head is tilting. Now lock it in the middle of travel and rock the steering wheel. Is your steering column loose above the point where the column tilts? Or is the head part tight and indeed it is the whol column loose in the dash structure?
Here is the address where you can find three papers on disassembly and repair of a T&T steering column. Paper #1 (Pages 3 & 4) outline a number of simple tests which may help you identify the source of your problem.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?cat=5
Jim
Here is the address where you can find three papers on disassembly and repair of a T&T steering column. Paper #1 (Pages 3 & 4) outline a number of simple tests which may help you identify the source of your problem.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?cat=5
Jim
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