Play in steering COLUMN
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Play in steering COLUMN
Hey guys
I've got a problem with my 1968 C3 Vette
There is significant play in the steering column of about one inch.
You can move the steering wheel without movement in the steering column itself
It is a non-tilt, non-tele column
The play is purely rotational, you cannot move the wheel up and down or left to right.
What are the wear points that could contribute to this issue? Currently it is too dangerous to drive on the motorway as I cannot keep the car in one lane without significant effort.
The following components have been installed in an effort to remedy the issue:
- Borgeson steering box
- New PS hoses
- Pitman/Idler arms
- Rag joint
Thanks in advance!
I've got a problem with my 1968 C3 Vette
There is significant play in the steering column of about one inch.
You can move the steering wheel without movement in the steering column itself
It is a non-tilt, non-tele column
The play is purely rotational, you cannot move the wheel up and down or left to right.
What are the wear points that could contribute to this issue? Currently it is too dangerous to drive on the motorway as I cannot keep the car in one lane without significant effort.
The following components have been installed in an effort to remedy the issue:
- Borgeson steering box
- New PS hoses
- Pitman/Idler arms
- Rag joint
Thanks in advance!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 343
From: Allenton Wisconsin
Same column that's in my 6t8, the steering column shaft has a splined hub up top that the steer wheel bolts to, held on with a nut. The shaft itself is 2 piece the solid piece on top, that slides into the bottom in case of an accident [collaspeable], then the rag joint is fit to the lower shaft on another spline supported on top and bottom with bearings. Hold the rag joint with one hand and slowly rotate steer wheel, you should be able to feel if there is any play in the shaft itself, probably not. I found the play in mine to be a lower bearing failure. Note; lower brg on 68s might be a 67 brg. Since you upgraded to the Borg setup, how hard was it to get the lower shaft to collapse into the top? If it went real easy then the play might be there. T
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 343
From: Allenton Wisconsin
Pop the horn button off and see if it's the wheel loose [6screws], take nut off look at spline for slop. If ok here then it's the shaft. For shaft replacement column removal and dissasembly required. Way to much salt and snow on my roads to drive a corvette. T
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I started disassembling the column and realised I need a hub puller so I'll get one in the weekend. The steering wheel was bolted on tight so it must be the splines. The bearings feel pretty bad so I'll probably just pull the column anyway for a rebuild
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 343
From: Allenton Wisconsin
Hey Whitey, there are some other very interesting posts regarding replacing columns. The tilt is desireable, you loose the collaspeable feature of the OEM column. Read there add very closely for all the additional parts needed and make sure the lower mounting to firewall is correct. The 68 is unique, a one year only column. It's only January, take the time and do the research. Since you're good enough to get the column out you are capable of repairing you're column with a $100 of parts. I was looking to do same as you, but the price of an aftermarket column install was getting close to $1000. T
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 1,956
From: Temple Terrace Florida
68
I think the 67 and 68 columns are the same. They are not too difficult to rebuild. Get the Dr. Rebuild catalog and review the diagrams. They have most all the parts you need. Good luck. Jerry
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
The 1967 and 1968 Vette columns will not interchange. The jacket and mounting system up into the dash are different. The lower end of the 1967 column has a bracket on the engine side of the dash that clamps on the jacket. The 1968 column has a welded bracket that bolts to the passenger side of the dash.
The overall length of the two steering columns are the same. I am quite sure that a lot of the column hardware, steering shaft, and horn parts probably would interchange.
Jim
The overall length of the two steering columns are the same. I am quite sure that a lot of the column hardware, steering shaft, and horn parts probably would interchange.
Jim
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 53
Likes: 3
I realise I'm reviving an old thread here, but was wondering if you got to bottom of this problem? I have a '68 and it has the same problem - play in the column, the wheel can move 1/2" either way before the shaft in the engine bay responds. What does it require to rebuild this?
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I realise I'm reviving an old thread here, but was wondering if you got to bottom of this problem? I have a '68 and it has the same problem - play in the column, the wheel can move 1/2" either way before the shaft in the engine bay responds. What does it require to rebuild this?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 343
From: Allenton Wisconsin
I realise I'm reviving an old thread here, but was wondering if you got to bottom of this problem? I have a '68 and it has the same problem - play in the column, the wheel can move 1/2" either way before the shaft in the engine bay responds. What does it require to rebuild this?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,747
Likes: 713
From: Lafayette Louisiana
steering column rebuild 68 tele
I realise I'm reviving an old thread here, but was wondering if you got to bottom of this problem? I have a '68 and it has the same problem - play in the column, the wheel can move 1/2" either way before the shaft in the engine bay responds. What does it require to rebuild this?
Pretty reasonable C3 job I thought, I rebuilt my 68, early November build, telescoping steering column. I bought my bearings from Corvette Central. Call them to make sure you get the right ones. Not sure why you have the slop in the column, I would pull it out, disassemble, find the problem and rebuild it.
Jim Shea has some excellent papers on how to rebuild the 68 column.
Hope this helps.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 53
Likes: 3
What I'm hearing is that I need to pull the column and possibly replace. Bummer. The column is a NON- Tele/tilt so it would appear the slop is in the splines (as mentioned the wheel can be rocked 1/2" either way without any movement at the other end of the shaft). Time to search for said papers from Jim!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
What I'm hearing is that I need to pull the column and possibly replace. Bummer. The column is a NON- Tele/tilt so it would appear the slop is in the splines (as mentioned the wheel can be rocked 1/2" either way without any movement at the other end of the shaft). Time to search for said papers from Jim!
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...v03SE20121.pdf
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...-03JL20141.pdf
Jim