johnnyrad21

I have a 1977 Corvette with Tilt and Tele. I just finished rebuilding my steering column, including new upper bearing, lower bearing, turn signal switch, and other parts. Upon reassembly and reinstallation, I found my steering to be uncomfortably “loose,” as in there was “play” and I could jerk the wheel about 1/8” up, down, left, and right. After looking closely at Jim Shea’s Steering Papers, I noticed I was missing a part. I must have lost this part during reassembly, or perhaps it never existed in my column. The part is the Upper Bearing Seat, GM# 7804909. I cannot seem to find this part anywhere. Any ideas if this is the part that will solve my issue? Any suggestions where to find it?

Thanks for the help!!

MelWff

do you see that among these parts?

https://willcoxcorvette.com/catalogs...c_part_year=27

johnnyrad21

Unfortunately I do not see the part available through Willcox. I did find it included in a kit on Eckler's: https://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corv...1978-1982.html

I would like to avoid buying the expensive kit to get a potentially inexpensive part. The part I need is the center retainer in the picture from Eckler's.

MelWff

the link only goes to the Ecklers site not the part you want.

johnnyrad21

Sorry, the link is: https://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corv...1978-1982.html.

Ecklers Part Number: 25-239427-1
"Corvette Steering Column Spring Kit, Tilt, Upper, 1978-1982"

johnnyrad21

I called Eckler's asking if they could split up the kit so I may just receive the spring seat, but they said that was not possible. I also called a GM dealer just to make sure there was no way they could acquire it, and of course, they said it was discontinued and unavailable. I ended up ordering the $60 kit from Eckler's.

I hope this part solves my loose steering wheel issue!

johnnyrad21

Update:

I learned the hard way that the 1977 Corvette Steering Column does not use a upper column bearing seat. I discovered I was inserting the plastic bearing retainer backwards, causing slop in the steering after it was buttoned up.

All is good now!