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need help Wobble Tile\Tel 76 steering column

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Old Dec 27, 2013 | 09:19 PM
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Default need help Wobble Tile\Tel 76 steering column

Hi Guys, I hope you can point me in the right direction.
I purchased a 1976 corvette tilt/tel from a salvage yard. Plan to put in my 70 vette. The column had a lot of wobble from tilt part. I toke it a part and tighten the 3 bolts. I clean it up and replaced a few broken plastic parts.
BUT after it was installed in the car and the wheel connected it still wobbles. Any usggestions on what is wrong? Do I have a bad bearing? The bearings looked OK when I had it a part.
Can you help me?

Thanks, John
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Old Dec 27, 2013 | 10:06 PM
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Did you go all the way down to the lower bowl and tighten the 4 bolts? That's where most of the loose and wobble comes from. There are 3 screws that hold the shroud.

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/
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Old Dec 27, 2013 | 10:18 PM
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This is a link to three papers that discuss the disassembly & repair of the 1969 through 1982 Corvette T&T column. Paper #1 has a series of tests that you can perform with the column installed in your car. These tests may lead you to the cause of the wobble.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=1004

This link takes you to three sets of pics that go with the above three papers.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=1009

Jim
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Old Dec 28, 2013 | 07:17 AM
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Originally Posted by TimAT
Did you go all the way down to the lower bowl and tighten the 4 bolts? That's where most of the loose and wobble comes from. There are 3 screws that hold the shroud.

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/
Yes I did go all the way to the 4 bolts. I found them not only lose but one bolt fell out. I was sure that was my problem but after getting it all together I found it still wobbled. It wobbled less but still bad.
Now before I take it a part again I am try to figure out what I need to look for.
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Old Dec 28, 2013 | 08:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Jim Shea
This is a link to three papers that discuss the disassembly & repair of the 1969 through 1982 Corvette T&T column. Paper #1 has a series of tests that you can perform with the column installed in your car. These tests may lead you to the cause of the wobble.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=1004

This link takes you to three sets of pics that go with the above three papers.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=1009

Jim
Thanks Jim, I read Paper1 and I will try the test later today and let you know what I find.
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Old Dec 28, 2013 | 11:27 AM
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Check for loose support screws:
Wheel straight ahead I have loose up and down. Plus loose left and right. More loose on the left side then the right.
The to the left is the worest case.

Check for loose Lock Shoes:
Wheel full up position I have loose up and down. I then tried all positions and I have loose up and down.

Check for Loose Pivot Pin:
Wheel in all Positions, I have loose side to side motion. More loose on the left side then the right.

These tests were done after Locktight and tighten the 4 support screws.
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Old Dec 28, 2013 | 06:51 PM
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Is the collar broke on the steering shaft tube?

If the four bolts in this picture are tight, I'd check the collar.


Here is a pic of the collar.
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Old Dec 28, 2013 | 07:38 PM
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When we had it a part we did not see any broken or cracked housing. We could have a hairline cracked that I could not see. Could a hairline crack cause this problem?

Could I have bad side lock shoes or worn pivot pins?
Can these lock shoes and pivot pins be replaced?
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Old Dec 28, 2013 | 09:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Viper80
When we had it a part we did not see any broken or cracked housing. We could have a hairline cracked that I could not see. Could a hairline crack cause this problem?

Could I have bad side lock shoes or worn pivot pins?
Can these lock shoes and pivot pins be replaced?
There are two lock shoes. They alternate locking grooves that engage a pin that is part of the support. If the pin was loose or worn you would expect the column to only be loose in all tilt positions and only in the up and down direction. If one shoe was worn you would find the column head to be loose in every other tilt position.

I suggest that you read pages #5 and #6 of Disassembly & Repair Paper #3. They have a couple tests for loose pivot pins. You can purchase replacement pivot pins but you might have worn or distorted pivot pin holes in the support or the bearing housing.

If you get into needing a new column jacket, new lock shoes, support, or bearing housing you are going to have to go to a column rebuilder. Most rebuilders are very protective when it comes to selling replacement parts. But you could try;
Steering Columns Galore in New York
or
GM Tilt Steering Column Services

Jim
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Old Dec 29, 2013 | 09:40 AM
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Thank You Jim and Willcox for your help. I think I understand now. And now I know what items to look at. Fo now I am going to work on another project (69 chevelle SS) it just came out of the paint shop. After I get the chevelle back together I will return to the column. I need a break from that column.
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