I've always worried about this fitment. The coupler grips only a short section of both steering box and steering wheel shafts. How can it be adjusted for a more secure fit?

Thanks in advance.

Steve

 

Hi Steve,
You're right the end of the steering column shaft and the shaft from the steering box should be closer together.
It appears that the steering column shaft may be 'collapsed' a little. This could have happened if the steering column was removed from the car at some time and it stood on it's end. The collapsable column was a safety feature.
It can be pulled out to it's normal length. However I'm not sure if it can be done with the column in the car. (I'm not sure how hard you have to pull.)
Perhaps someone else will know. Jim S.!
Regards,
Alan

 

The connection at the gear is definately not correct. The flex coupling flange should be on the gear input shaft so that the clamping bolt passes right through the annular groove machined into the shaft.

Also the steering column lower shaft has a notch machined into the shaft and the clamping bolt must through the notch. (From your picture, this attachment appears correct.)

Let's start with two basic questions. What year Vette? Standard (non-adjustable) or Tilt and Telescoping steering column?

I think that the first responder is probably correct in that the steering column shaft has been compressed back into the steering column jacket.

Knowing what year and type of Vette, I can supply you with a dimension from the face of the steering column lower bearing to the very end of the steering shaft.

It should be possible to pull the steering shaft back out of the column with the column still in the car. It is best to try and make a steady pull on the steering shaft to get it back to its original length. (Hammering on the steering shaft could cause damage to the steering column bearings.)

If you cannot figure out a method of steady pulling with the column in the car, (things are cramped with the gear and steering column in place.) Otherwise, pull the column. It isn't that difficult.

I recently read where a Corvette owner first disconnected the steering column lower flange from the flex coupling on the gear. He then removed the column from the car. He attached a one foot long, 2X4 across the steering column lower flange with two 5/16 bolts. He then placed the column on a carpeted surface. Sat on the floor. Then placed his feet against the welded aluminum capsule bracket and pulled on the 2X4 and extended the shaft back out of the column.

I am also concerned about the stop pin showing at the bottom of your picture. I certainly appears to be cocked at an angle. I can't tell if it is welded, peaned, or bolted in place. Regardless as to the method of attachment, that pin should be very rigidly attached, at a right angle to the flex coupling (bow tie) flange.

Jim

 

Thank you Gents for the responses.

I keep thinking I have my car's info under my avatar.

1973 Coupe with PS, Tilt and Telescopic steering wheel features.

I did assume that lateral groove in the box shaft was for coupler bolt clearance. I originally placed the coupling on, for the bolt to engage that groove, but then the coupler wouldn't reach the steering column shaft.

Collapsable Steering Column eh? Is it of a soft steel mesh design? An extra thanks to you Jim for a method of stretching it back out to specification.


Further inspection of that tweeked coupler stud shows marks from the flange it sits in. So it is doing it's job; just a bit too much a job huh.

Steve

 

Steve,
The steering shaft can be collapsed into the steering column jacket without distorting any other parts. So all you have to do is pull the tubular lower shaft back out.

For a 1973 T&T column: From the face of the lower bearing to the very end of the steering column shaft should be 4.7 inches.

The mesh type, energy absorbing, collapsible steering column jacket was only used within General Motors for 1967 and 1968.




Starting in 1969, ball bearings were press fit between the lower jacket and the upper jacket. The bearings "plowed" metal in between the jackets and absorbed energy as the two tubes telescoped on each other in a severe frontal collision.

 

Wow thx Jim for the pix and explanation. I was always afraid of what happens by just pulling the shaft back out the column not knowing what was happening inside. So now i read for my '74 its 4.7" from end of shaft to brg. I think i can do that - one way or another.

This info should be a sticky as most of us share this problem.

Jim u are one of those that make this a truly great forum.
cardo0

 

Indeed, .

Steve

 

So Jim,

Do you thinks it will be safe after pulling it out a little?

Steve

 

Yes, it will be safe. There is a large overlap between the solid upper steering shaft and the hollow, tubular, lower shaft as they fit together. They were originally held together (at the original design length) by injected plastic that was designed to shear and allow the two shafts to telescope in a severe frontal collision.

The worst thing that could happen is a very slight amount of clearance between the two shafts could cause a very slight looseness felt in the steering wheel.

Jim

 

Thank you Jim!

You know, there's two wonderful flanges that the coupler presents.

Has anyone here tried to extend a steering shaft by;

1. Separating the coupling,
2. bolting on each flange to their respective shafts, leaving a good gap,
3. inserting long, fine thread bolts so as to join the flanges,
4 and evenly torque the bolts so as to pull the steering shaft out closer to the box shaft?

Came to me in a dream last night.

Steve

 

In theory that should work, but I'd be concerned about the end loading on the steering box shaft. You'd be counting on the shaft to stay put while you pulled the column towards it. Others can chime in, but from my EE perspective I see that as less than desirable.

 

A major concern, for sure.

Along with all the parts boxes that came with the car, was one with internal parts from a steering box. These parts were heavy duty, weighed a lot, and very strong & hardened. I'm almost 100% sure, the strength of a ball bearing plastic collar up against this steering box, would yield first before anything in that box would fail.
Just a guess.

Steve

 

I have found this method of pulling the column end out workable. Although it has to be done in increments (if you don't want to completely remove the stock coulpling bolts and use longer ones), the steering column does stretch out, and a safer grip on both steering box and steering column can be achieved.

Steve