Hey guys....

I am in the process of installing the steering column in my '73 and somehow it shrunk about an inch! I have the carpet and insulation out of the way and the plate that bolts through the firewall (I think) is solidly against the firewall. While the splined end of the shaft makes contact with the rag joint it doesn't insert more than about 1/8" so something's not right. I'm hoping that there is either something I'm missing or a 'trick' to getting this installed.

Couple of comments:

1. I have manual steering and the column is not a tilt.

2. (and I can see the eyes rolling on this one.). While I had the column out, I decided to paint it and hung the column in the garage. As it was drying the wire I was using to hang it gave way and the shaft hit the floor. (no need to go into the numerous colorful metaphors that I shouted) It landed on the steering wheel end and everything seems to be working fine so I don't think that it had any negative impact (no pun intended) on this problem however I thought I'd put it out there just in case.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Jim

 

The steering columns are designed to 'compress' in an accident... So it's possible it may have telescoped when it fell just a little... I read that while researching rag joint replacement...

They do slip back apart, but there are some things you need to be careful of when doing so... Sorry I don't have more info at hand, but others will chime in with direct knowledge and help you out !

So, it's a fairly common issue... Like when people pry the shaft up into the column when replacing the rag joint instead of loosening/removing the column bolts when performing rag joint install... So, you're not totally in deep water yet...

 

A standard (non-adjustable) 1973 steering column should have the end of the steering shaft sticking out from the lower bearing retainer by 4.5 inches. If your steering shaft is shorter than 4.5 inches you will need to pull it back out to that dimension. Try steady pressure and do NOT hammer on the steering shaft (that will be very hard on the steering column bearings.)

BTW, there is several inches of overlap between the hollow lower shaft and the solid upper. So there is considerable safety in the design of the two shafts.

Jim

 

Thanks Guys.....

So basically I have to pull the bottom shaft out?

 

It IS that simple .. But never that EASY ... Lol... As with most things on our cars...

Did you measure yours to see if you had the 4.5 inches of steering shaft showing as Jim described? Different years had different measurements...

 

Oh Joy, I just love these challenges on Monday! LOL

Have not measured yet but will let you know in a bit....

 

3.75 inches... looks like I've found the problem..

Thanks, any recommendations on the best approach? I have the feeling that it's not going to simply slide out....

 

Steady pulling/prying pressure vs hammering... Bout all I've heard.. Haven't dealt with it myself... Have you been able to research any info on the topic? If I get a chance I'll see if I can find what I read previously and post it here...

 

I found this suggestion here... looks like I'm not the first one to have this happen. Do you know if those plastic injection pins need to be replaced?

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...ng-column.html

 

OK the idea of using the come-along in the post I linked above is a good one but it gave me an idea which also worked so I thought I'd put it out here in case someone else can use it.



I took a piece of 2x4 that was about a foot long and bolted it to the end of the column. Using a pair of mechanics gloves, I sat with my back to the wall and used my legs to press it out. I originally tried pulling up but that didn't work and I could feel my back straining. Sitting with your back against the wall puts you into a similar position as a leg press at the gym and gives you some support. Although I work my legs harden at the gym, it probably only took about 200-250 lbs of pressure to slide it out so you don't have to be a he-ho.

 

Nice one! Hope the rest of the install goes smoothly!

 

If I visualize your techique correctly you used the bolt holes in the steering column flange to bolt the foot long 2X4 across the lower end of the steering shaft. Then you sat on the floor and braced you back against the wall. You placed your feet on either side of the welded mounting bracket and pulled on the 2X4. Great idea to provide a smooth "pull" on the lower shaft to get it back to its original length.

You do not have to replace the small plastic injection pins that originally held the two piece steering shaft to its original design length (that 4.5 inch dimension sticking out from the lower column bearing). The worst that can happen is the junction of the hollow lower shaft and the solid upper steering shaft could develop a very small amount of "looseness" or "lash" over time.

BTW these steering shaft lengths may be helpful for all C3 years.

Standard (non-adjustable) Steering Columns
Length of shaft extending from column:
1968 - 2.7 inches to edge of clamp
1969 thru 1977 4.5 inches to bearing retainer face
1978 and 1979 4.8 inches to bearing retainer face

Tilt & Telescoping Steering Columns
Length of shaft extending from column:
1968 - 2.2 inches to edge of clamp
1969 thru 1976 4.7 inches to edge of bearing retainer face
1977 and 1978 4.9 inches to bearing retainer face
1979 thru 1982 5.0 inches to bearing retainer face

Jim

Jim