1972 Corvette Shifter Steering Column Lock Problem
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
1972 Corvette Shifter Steering Column Lock Problem
I'm not sure if this is the right forum but i will give it a shot. If this is not the right place can someone please be so kind and point me in the right direction.
As the title says i have a 1972 Corvette with an automatic transmission. The shifter connects to the transmission with a small cable linkage. If you look at the exploded view that i have from Ecklers the blue cable connects to the transmission and the green cable is the Transmission To Steering Column Lock Cable. The issue is as follows:
The transmission does not seem to have any issues with the transmission or with shifting. The car goes from P -> R -> 3 -> 2 ->1 with no resistance. The problem is when I go back into park. When we go back into park the Steering Column lock cable gets a 'kink' in it and bends out of the way. This makes the steering column NOT lock and i cannot remove the key. The only way i have been able to fix this is by replacing the cable. This will now be the third time in 8 years that i am replacing this cable. What am i doing wrong? What am i missing? Is there a way to prevent this from happening again?
LOCK CABLE: https://keenparts.com/Graphics/photos/340014.jpg
EXPLODED VIEW: http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/diagr.../index/id/143/
Thank you all for listening and good luck!
I will try and get some pictures of my car this week/weekend.
As the title says i have a 1972 Corvette with an automatic transmission. The shifter connects to the transmission with a small cable linkage. If you look at the exploded view that i have from Ecklers the blue cable connects to the transmission and the green cable is the Transmission To Steering Column Lock Cable. The issue is as follows:
The transmission does not seem to have any issues with the transmission or with shifting. The car goes from P -> R -> 3 -> 2 ->1 with no resistance. The problem is when I go back into park. When we go back into park the Steering Column lock cable gets a 'kink' in it and bends out of the way. This makes the steering column NOT lock and i cannot remove the key. The only way i have been able to fix this is by replacing the cable. This will now be the third time in 8 years that i am replacing this cable. What am i doing wrong? What am i missing? Is there a way to prevent this from happening again?
LOCK CABLE: https://keenparts.com/Graphics/photos/340014.jpg
EXPLODED VIEW: http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/diagr.../index/id/143/
Thank you all for listening and good luck!
I will try and get some pictures of my car this week/weekend.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,315
Likes: 4,418
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Mr. S,
WELCOME! First Post!!! 1972 Corvette, VERY nice!
The type of cable you show is used on both automatic and 4-speed cars.
A question:
Does the cable work at first?
If it does are you putting it on correctly? One end should have a rubber sealing sleeve on it (you can see it in the photo you linked to). This end should be installed down at the transmission so the moisture from driving doesn't get into the cable and bind it up.
Do you think you've been installing it that way?
Regards,
Alan
WELCOME! First Post!!! 1972 Corvette, VERY nice!
The type of cable you show is used on both automatic and 4-speed cars.
A question:
Does the cable work at first?
If it does are you putting it on correctly? One end should have a rubber sealing sleeve on it (you can see it in the photo you linked to). This end should be installed down at the transmission so the moisture from driving doesn't get into the cable and bind it up.
Do you think you've been installing it that way?
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 11, 2014 at 04:59 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,771
Likes: 2,597
Do you have the 1972 factory Chasis Overhaul manual and have you looked for the adjustment instructions for the cable? Below is a link to an artlcle that has the instructions.
http://www.auto-repair-manuals.com/C...FYMcOgodzl8APg
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=928
http://www.auto-repair-manuals.com/C...FYMcOgodzl8APg
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=928
Last edited by MelWff; Mar 11, 2014 at 05:04 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Do you have the 1972 factory Chasis Overhaul manual and have you looked for the adjustment instructions for the cable? Below is a link to an artlcle that has the instructions.
http://www.auto-repair-manuals.com/C...FYMcOgodzl8APg
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=928
http://www.auto-repair-manuals.com/C...FYMcOgodzl8APg
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=928
Unhook the cable from the steering column lever. Now try to rotate the lever by hand. Possibly years of corrosion have caused the shift tube on which the lever is welded to require lots of effort to rotate inside the steering column.
A cable works best when it is "pulling" but that is not how General Motors designed their interlock system. When you shift into PARK the cable needs to "push" up on the lever.
You may need to remove the steering column from the car and clean up the lower end of your steering column.
BTW in this picture there is a spring between the bearing assembly and the shift tube. Only the standard (non-adjustable) steering columns have that spring. Tilt & telescoping steering columns do not have that spring.
Removing the steering column from your Vette is not all that bad. (Most people are just intimidated by the procedure.)
I have some explicit instructions on removing the steering column from your car if you should need and request them.
Jim
Last edited by Jim Shea; Mar 12, 2014 at 06:17 AM. Reason: more info on strg column pic
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
As you know one end of the cable connects to a lever on the lower end of the steering column (out under the brake master cylinder.) The cable needs to "push" the lever UP when you shift into PARK (about the 1 o'clock position - if you could actually see it from the driver position).
Unhook the cable from the steering column lever. Now try to rotate the lever by hand. Possibly years of corrosion have caused the shift tube on which the lever is welded to require lots of effort to rotate inside the steering column.
A cable works best when it is "pulling" but that is not how General Motors designed their interlock system. When you shift into PARK the cable needs to "push" up on the lever.
You may need to remove the steering column from the car and clean up the lower end of your steering column.
BTW in this picture there is a spring between the bearing assembly and the shift tube. Only the standard (non-adjustable) steering columns have that spring. Tilt & telescoping steering columns do not have that spring.
Removing the steering column from your Vette is not all that bad. (Most people are just intimidated by the procedure.)
I have some explicit instructions on removing the steering column from your car if you should need and request them.
Jim
Unhook the cable from the steering column lever. Now try to rotate the lever by hand. Possibly years of corrosion have caused the shift tube on which the lever is welded to require lots of effort to rotate inside the steering column.
A cable works best when it is "pulling" but that is not how General Motors designed their interlock system. When you shift into PARK the cable needs to "push" up on the lever.
You may need to remove the steering column from the car and clean up the lower end of your steering column.
BTW in this picture there is a spring between the bearing assembly and the shift tube. Only the standard (non-adjustable) steering columns have that spring. Tilt & telescoping steering columns do not have that spring.
Removing the steering column from your Vette is not all that bad. (Most people are just intimidated by the procedure.)
I have some explicit instructions on removing the steering column from your car if you should need and request them.
Jim
This sounds like this is what it could be. I will check into that (maybe this weekend) and let you know. Thank you so much for the detailed response and for helping me out. I have no issue moving the steering column if that is what is needed. Thanks again! I will update all when i get this worked out and what the resolution is.
