telescopic column wowes ????
Thread Starter
BubbaHut
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 944
Likes: 32
From: Lake Norman NC
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
telescopic column woes ????
In an effort to create a little more room in my 72 coupe I recently purchased a tilt/tele column from a 74 parts car.
I am 100% sure I checked that the column tilted & locked before I purchased it and removed it myself.
Once home , I partially disassymbled it to paint it red to match my interior. I made sure to take a couple of photos to ducument how it came apart. I only pulled the horn button, the wheel, contact assy,
shims and the star bolt with lock screws so that I could properly get paint coverage around the lock .
After spraying it and re-assymbling the unit , the column lock no longer locks the column from telescoping in & out ???
I have tried re-clocking it several times , but honestly cant tell that the star screw/bolt does anything at all ? It appears to bottom out against the column shaft & I can see no eveidence that it does anything at all ?
I must have lost something that was down the middle of the hollow column ? I can tighten the star screw as tight as I can until it bottoms out on the column and the tele units moves in & out freely ?
Can you please help ????
I am 100% sure I checked that the column tilted & locked before I purchased it and removed it myself.
Once home , I partially disassymbled it to paint it red to match my interior. I made sure to take a couple of photos to ducument how it came apart. I only pulled the horn button, the wheel, contact assy,
shims and the star bolt with lock screws so that I could properly get paint coverage around the lock .
After spraying it and re-assymbling the unit , the column lock no longer locks the column from telescoping in & out ???
I have tried re-clocking it several times , but honestly cant tell that the star screw/bolt does anything at all ? It appears to bottom out against the column shaft & I can see no eveidence that it does anything at all ?
I must have lost something that was down the middle of the hollow column ? I can tighten the star screw as tight as I can until it bottoms out on the column and the tele units moves in & out freely ?
Can you please help ????
Last edited by sfsvettes; Dec 10, 2014 at 04:20 PM. Reason: spelling police
Thread Starter
BubbaHut
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 944
Likes: 32
From: Lake Norman NC
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
thank you
I felt like something was missing , but I have not seen that rod in any of the exploaded drawings anywhere ?
Do you have a part number or can you point me in the right direction to find a replacement ?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Yep...that little rod, I have dropped those out many times,
What did you have to mod to get that to fit your dash, I thought a collor had to be trimmed?
I am doing the same in my 69 but I used a 82 ce column,
I will have to change some wiring different plugs in my case...yours too?
What did you have to mod to get that to fit your dash, I thought a collor had to be trimmed?
I am doing the same in my 69 but I used a 82 ce column,
I will have to change some wiring different plugs in my case...yours too?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 28
From: Tallmadge Ohio
C3 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
Oldtimer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
This is a common problem where the locking rod falls out of the upper steering shaft. It can go un-noticed until you discover that the telescope feature won't lock as you turn the star screw.
The telescope locking rod is 1/4 inch dia X about 4 inches long. There were two or three different length rods depending upon the C3 year of your T&T column. I thought that I had the different lengths documented somewhere but I can't seem to find them at the moment.
You could just cut and fit a quarter inch dia dowel to work. Too long and your locking ring that is attached to the star screw will be positioned such that there is a big gap between it and the steering wheel spokes. Too short and the locking ring will be scraping on the spokes.
There was one length rod from 1969 thru 1974. A slightly longer one from 1975 and 1976. A shorter rod was used 1977 thru 1982. I will try to find out the exact lengths of the three rods.
Hopefully you might find your original rod laying on the floor somewhere.
Jim
The telescope locking rod is 1/4 inch dia X about 4 inches long. There were two or three different length rods depending upon the C3 year of your T&T column. I thought that I had the different lengths documented somewhere but I can't seem to find them at the moment.
You could just cut and fit a quarter inch dia dowel to work. Too long and your locking ring that is attached to the star screw will be positioned such that there is a big gap between it and the steering wheel spokes. Too short and the locking ring will be scraping on the spokes.
There was one length rod from 1969 thru 1974. A slightly longer one from 1975 and 1976. A shorter rod was used 1977 thru 1982. I will try to find out the exact lengths of the three rods.
Hopefully you might find your original rod laying on the floor somewhere.
Jim
Last edited by Jim Shea; Dec 11, 2014 at 08:37 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
I hope to have the exact overall rod lengths early next week.
I do know that the 1977 thru 1982 rod would be the shortest.
The 1975-76 would be the longest.
And the 1969 thru 1974 rod length would be in the middle.
Jim
I do know that the 1977 thru 1982 rod would be the shortest.
The 1975-76 would be the longest.
And the 1969 thru 1974 rod length would be in the middle.
Jim
Thread Starter
BubbaHut
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 944
Likes: 32
From: Lake Norman NC
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Thanks for everyones help !
Indeed , I had lost the center locking rod.
I purchased one from forum sponsor Zip
And bingo ! She works like new again
Thanks for your help Jim
You too spelling police.. Thanks
I purchased one from forum sponsor Zip
And bingo ! She works like new again
Thanks for your help Jim
You too spelling police.. Thanks
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