Question - taking off dash
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Warren NJ
Question - taking off dash
The instructions in the Chilton manual for accessing the drivers side dash read "drop steering wheel." What exactly does that mean? and how hard is it??
Thanks!
Thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 0
From: Monument Colorado
Re: Question - taking off dash (DaddyO)
Absolutely take out the 2 bolts and let the column down. It's very easy to break the lower part of the dash panel if you don't do this (don't ask how I know).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,268
Likes: 0
From: Roanoke Virginia
Re: Question - taking off dash (Tex71BB)
Be careful about dropping the steering column, as you could easily bend the column. If you want to drop the driver's side you need to remove the steering column altogether by disconnecting the rag joint and pulling the column out of the car. It's best to do this with the driver's seat removed. Be careful, that's how a frame off is usually started :lol: :smash:
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Re: Question - taking off dash (DaddyO)
Absolutely drop the column! If your careful, it can be lowered enough to pull the dash, but taking out the seat and the column is the way to go. I'm dealing with the legacy of some gorilla horsing out the dash assembly without lowering the column. It's broken in about six places and needs to be replaced, along with various wiring ends.
Hans
Hans
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Warren NJ
Re: Question - taking off dash (DaddyO)
how difficult is it to take out the column? The person I bought my car from installed the dash pad with speakers underneath. Do I need to take out the column to access that drivers side speaker???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Re: Question - taking off dash (thejaf)
thejaf: I plan on eventually replacing my fixed steering column on my '72 with a tilt and telescopic. I'm going to get a complete wheel-to-rag joint assembly...I hope. If I just disconnect at the rag joint (plus electrical plugs and two bolts to drop it down) will I be able to easily remove and replace the fixed with the T&T?
Dep
Dep
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,268
Likes: 0
From: Roanoke Virginia
Re: Question - taking off dash (DaddyO)
No, if all you're doing is removing the top, you can get by with the following:
1. Remove passenger side pad (2 screws on each side, 3 along the top)
2. Remove the top center console screw
3. Remove the left 2 center console screws, 3 screws along the top of the driver's console, and the left 2 screws of the driver's console. This gives the driver's console a little room to move.
4. Remove both pillar pads (remove the sun visors first)
5. Remove the small screw securing the top dash pad to the center console
6. Gently pull the top pad away from the windsheild to unhook the clips.
7. Get creative with angling the dash pad (like a chinese puzzle) and remove it. You can bend it a LITTLE but not a whole lot. With the pillar pads removed, it should come out with no bending.
Jeff
1. Remove passenger side pad (2 screws on each side, 3 along the top)
2. Remove the top center console screw
3. Remove the left 2 center console screws, 3 screws along the top of the driver's console, and the left 2 screws of the driver's console. This gives the driver's console a little room to move.
4. Remove both pillar pads (remove the sun visors first)
5. Remove the small screw securing the top dash pad to the center console
6. Gently pull the top pad away from the windsheild to unhook the clips.
7. Get creative with angling the dash pad (like a chinese puzzle) and remove it. You can bend it a LITTLE but not a whole lot. With the pillar pads removed, it should come out with no bending.
Jeff
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,268
Likes: 0
From: Roanoke Virginia
Re: Question - taking off dash (Ex-Deputy)
thejaf: I plan on eventually replacing my fixed steering column on my '72 with a tilt and telescopic. I'm going to get a complete wheel-to-rag joint assembly...I hope. If I just disconnect at the rag joint (plus electrical plugs and two bolts to drop it down) will I be able to easily remove and replace the fixed with the T&T?
Dep
Dep
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Question - taking off dash (thejaf)
I have just posted some new papers on Terry Rudy's http://www.corvettefaq.com websight. Look under Steering. There is a new paper entitled Tilt & Telescoping Column 69-82 Disassembly and Repair Paper #2. This paper describes dropping the steering column on page #2. Also you will find an additional paper at the websight entitled Tilt & Telescoping Column 69-82 Installation Pics.
BTW these papers are generic and apply to the standard (non-adjustable) column as well as T&T.
BTW these papers are generic and apply to the standard (non-adjustable) column as well as T&T.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Re: Question - taking off dash (Jim Shea)
Thanks Jim. Zip products has complete steering column assemblies and I found a couple of other places that have them. They're a bit pricey at around $600, but if they are complete without me having to futz arond with the internals, it would be worth the price to me. Only thing I'd need to change is the ignition switch, and the one that's in my car is shot anyway so I'll just buy a new one and two door locks to fit it. Locks are going South too.
Dep
Dep
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Question - taking off dash (Ex-Deputy)
Dep,
Why are you buying a new ignition switch? The standard column ignition switch is different from the T&T switch. Either switch will connect right up to your vehicle wiring harness. They just operate in opposite directions from each other.
The T&T column ignition switch rod pulls up toward the steering wheel to move the ignition switch to the start position.
The standard column ignition rod pushes down (away from the steering wheel) to move the ignition switch to the start position.
Why are you buying a new ignition switch? The standard column ignition switch is different from the T&T switch. Either switch will connect right up to your vehicle wiring harness. They just operate in opposite directions from each other.
The T&T column ignition switch rod pulls up toward the steering wheel to move the ignition switch to the start position.
The standard column ignition rod pushes down (away from the steering wheel) to move the ignition switch to the start position.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Question - taking off dash (Jim Shea)
Dep,
What links are broken? The http://www.corvettefaq.com links take 10 to 15 seconds with my cable modem. My signature picture seems to be OK now.
Jim
What links are broken? The http://www.corvettefaq.com links take 10 to 15 seconds with my cable modem. My signature picture seems to be OK now.
Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Re: Question - taking off dash (Jim Shea)
Jim: My current ignition switch seems to be screwed up. Doesn't go into accessory position. Not sure if the dimwit that had the car before me goofed it up or what. The new column will have a switch in it (probably) so it won't match the doors. And my door locks aren't too cool either. So I was just going to buy a kit with two locks and the ignition switch.
BTW...the links are all working now.
Dep
BTW...the links are all working now.
Dep
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Re: Question - taking off dash (Jim Shea)
Jim: The StrgColumnInstallationPic does not seem to work.
Downloads but refuses to open. The T_T Column blowup pic works fine.
Dep
Downloads but refuses to open. The T_T Column blowup pic works fine.
Dep