Jim "Bubba" Shea
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Jim "Bubba" Shea
When I put my T&T steering column back together yesterday, I knew that my plastic c-clip retainer was lunch. (It broke into several pieces as I was disassembling my column as part of trying to find my brake light solution). After reassembling the column, I found that my horn would blow just as soon as I would reconnect my battery.
Even though they call it a C-clip retainer, it is also an insulator and keeps the large spring from the lower horn contact from touching (and grounding) on the shaft lock plate inside the column. So I put out calls to my contacts at Delphi for a plastic c-clip retainer. Oh no! They are closed for the two week break at the 4rth of July!!!
Out comes the duct tape! You guessed it! Insulate the metal shaft lock plate with duct tape. Cut holes in the tape for the horn contact pads. Column goes back together, horn works when it is supposed to!!!!
I don't think that I will rely on the long term merits of duct tape. A new plastic c-clip retainer is on the way.
Even though they call it a C-clip retainer, it is also an insulator and keeps the large spring from the lower horn contact from touching (and grounding) on the shaft lock plate inside the column. So I put out calls to my contacts at Delphi for a plastic c-clip retainer. Oh no! They are closed for the two week break at the 4rth of July!!!
Out comes the duct tape! You guessed it! Insulate the metal shaft lock plate with duct tape. Cut holes in the tape for the horn contact pads. Column goes back together, horn works when it is supposed to!!!!
I don't think that I will rely on the long term merits of duct tape. A new plastic c-clip retainer is on the way.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Jim "Bubba" Shea (Jim Shea)
Jim, been many a car driven at the proving grounds with duct tape and bailing wire on it.....
NOW do a longevity test on your duck tape vs the right part, and if your duck tape lasts longer, tell your buddies about it....;-)))
GENE
NOW do a longevity test on your duck tape vs the right part, and if your duck tape lasts longer, tell your buddies about it....;-)))
GENE
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Jim "Bubba" Shea (427V8)
The plastic c-clip retainer did last 27 years as long as no one disturbed it. I guess I can't bitch at the engineers at Delphi.
BTW The latest update on Disassembling the T&T Column is coming along nicely. Ten pages, good bed time reading. Lots of new hints and tips on tearing the old baby apart.
BTW The latest update on Disassembling the T&T Column is coming along nicely. Ten pages, good bed time reading. Lots of new hints and tips on tearing the old baby apart.
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Outside Houston Texas
Re: Jim "Bubba" Shea (Jim Shea)
BTW The latest update on Disassembling the T&T Column is coming along nicely. Ten pages, good bed time reading. Lots of new hints and tips on tearing the old baby apart.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Jim "Bubba" Shea (StingRayPonyGirl)
I am not sure what year C3 that you own but the following will help regardless. Go to corvettefaq and look under
Steering Wheel and Horn Parts 1969-1975 Std Column Pic #2
or
Steering Wheel and Horn Parts 1976-1979 Pic #4
Are all of your parts there? Are they installed in the correct manner?
You should purchase a AIM book for your Vette. It is the bible!!!
If you can't find the missing parts let me know. There could be one additional AIM page that might help.
Steering Wheel and Horn Parts 1969-1975 Std Column Pic #2
or
Steering Wheel and Horn Parts 1976-1979 Pic #4
Are all of your parts there? Are they installed in the correct manner?
You should purchase a AIM book for your Vette. It is the bible!!!
If you can't find the missing parts let me know. There could be one additional AIM page that might help.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,493
Likes: 6
From: Bloomington MN
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Jim "Bubba" Shea (paul79)
Jim, I have been looking over your info on http://www.corvettefaq.com. Lots of good stuff :cheers: . I hate to say it, but I am about to put my Corvette down yet again to redo some things in the interior that I should have redone the first time around. One of these includes removing the T&T column to replace whatever it is that is causing my ignition to not turn into accessory position. I believe it's the rod inside the column that has been broken and repaired. Also, I would like to get the horn working again. It hasn't worked in almost 20 years (well before I took ownership). Hopefully, with help from your website, I will do ok. I plan on replacing anything that looks suspect, although my column is actually pretty tight. The only thing I am really wondering, is where do you get parts for the T&T columns? :confused:
AC
AC
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Jim "Bubba" Shea (A C)
AC,
There are several places to obtain steering column parts. GM has done a pretty good job of continuing to supply replacement parts for the older Corvettes. Not cheap but available.
Next, if you have a suspect part, you can look in numerous Corvette supplier catalogues and you also might find the part there.
Dr. Rebuild has excellect blowup drawings and fairly good part availability.
Lastly, take a look at Steering Column Replacement Parts - Where to get replacement parts for standard and T&T columns at corvettefaq.com.
Good luck,
Jim Shea
There are several places to obtain steering column parts. GM has done a pretty good job of continuing to supply replacement parts for the older Corvettes. Not cheap but available.
Next, if you have a suspect part, you can look in numerous Corvette supplier catalogues and you also might find the part there.
Dr. Rebuild has excellect blowup drawings and fairly good part availability.
Lastly, take a look at Steering Column Replacement Parts - Where to get replacement parts for standard and T&T columns at corvettefaq.com.
Good luck,
Jim Shea
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,493
Likes: 6
From: Bloomington MN
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Jim "Bubba" Shea (Jim Shea)
Thanks Jim, I missed that section. It just reminded me that I have a key warning buzzer to fix as well. It's going to be really cool when EVERYTHING on my car works as it was supposed to! :cheers:
AC
AC
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Jim "Bubba" Shea (mark79,80)
The plastic c-clip retainer is GM part number 7808385 List is $8.19
Also available from other vendors such as Zip Products #SC-517 List $9.00
It is the same part for 1969 through 1982.
Also available from other vendors such as Zip Products #SC-517 List $9.00
It is the same part for 1969 through 1982.
Racer
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach CA
Re: Jim "Bubba" Shea (Jim Shea)
Jim,
I went through the same thing but I super glued it back together :lol: My local chevy dealer was able to have the part the next day though. My experience with the local dealer is that they can get a suprizing number of parts, quick and reasonably priced. But they think I am really annoying, taking half an hour for a $7 clip, when they have more expensive things to tend to. Columns aren't so fun and you have been a big help to many of us!
Sort of related: a friend of mine has a newish Jetta with a damaged and floppy rear bumper. She had duct taped it a few months ago and it was coming undone. So she asked me if I had any duct tape. I brought her my special black corvette duct tape (it isn't bubba if you match the tape to the car!). The next day she comented on how my duct tape was so much better than ordinary duct tape, to which I replied "Nothing but the best for my car!"
I went through the same thing but I super glued it back together :lol: My local chevy dealer was able to have the part the next day though. My experience with the local dealer is that they can get a suprizing number of parts, quick and reasonably priced. But they think I am really annoying, taking half an hour for a $7 clip, when they have more expensive things to tend to. Columns aren't so fun and you have been a big help to many of us!
Sort of related: a friend of mine has a newish Jetta with a damaged and floppy rear bumper. She had duct taped it a few months ago and it was coming undone. So she asked me if I had any duct tape. I brought her my special black corvette duct tape (it isn't bubba if you match the tape to the car!). The next day she comented on how my duct tape was so much better than ordinary duct tape, to which I replied "Nothing but the best for my car!"
