Steering flexible coupling replacement...Hard?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: texas city texas
Steering flexible coupling replacement...Hard?
Ok, mission successful on fixing telescopic column. I'm no expert, but it appeared that someone had actually rigged it not to work.
It appears that the play in my steering is coming from the steering flexible coupling. It is ripped in half in two spots so that when you turn the wheel left or right there is play before it catches. Looking at the book, this appears to be a fairly straight forward swap. Should I tackle this myself or enlist pro help. If I do it myself, anything I should pay extra attention to? :cheers:
It appears that the play in my steering is coming from the steering flexible coupling. It is ripped in half in two spots so that when you turn the wheel left or right there is play before it catches. Looking at the book, this appears to be a fairly straight forward swap. Should I tackle this myself or enlist pro help. If I do it myself, anything I should pay extra attention to? :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: Steering flexible coupling replacement...Hard? (mp77)
Should be no problem to replace. Several people have done this, including myself. You should go to your local Chevy Dealer and buy the coupler.
For myself the job was made really easy because I had the steering gear box out, so I can`t really comment on how hard it would be on a car that is not apart. You should be able to just loosen the coupling and the gear box and get it out.
[Modified by Eddie 96, 9:19 PM 11/8/2002]
For myself the job was made really easy because I had the steering gear box out, so I can`t really comment on how hard it would be on a car that is not apart. You should be able to just loosen the coupling and the gear box and get it out.
[Modified by Eddie 96, 9:19 PM 11/8/2002]
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: Steering flexible coupling replacement...Hard? (mp77)
I bough the Autozone one and was warned not to use it by several members. I just coughed up the money for the Chevy part and it made it a whole lot easier on me.
[Modified by Eddie 96, 9:19 PM 11/8/2002]
[Modified by Eddie 96, 9:19 PM 11/8/2002]
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: Steering flexible coupling replacement...Hard? (mp77)
Jim Shea is the steering guru. He worked for GM for a long time and knows the system inside out. I think he has a few articles on http://www.corvettefaq.com/
Look on here for articles on steering. Maybe he will chime in on this one also.
[Modified by Eddie 96, 9:19 PM 11/8/2002]
Look on here for articles on steering. Maybe he will chime in on this one also.
[Modified by Eddie 96, 9:19 PM 11/8/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Steering flexible coupling replacement...Hard? (mp77)
You want flexible coupling #7818568. It is available from any GM dealer. You will need to disconnect either the steering column or the steering gear in order to gain enough distance between them to get the coupling out.
I have some instructions on "dropping" the steering column if you want to gain clearance that way. Go to http://www.corvettefaq.com and look in the Steering section. Download the paper entitled Tilt & Telescoping Column 69-82 Disassembly & Repair Paper #2. This paper describes how to disconnect your steering column. (The paper is valid for T&T as well as standard steering columns.)
I have some instructions on "dropping" the steering column if you want to gain clearance that way. Go to http://www.corvettefaq.com and look in the Steering section. Download the paper entitled Tilt & Telescoping Column 69-82 Disassembly & Repair Paper #2. This paper describes how to disconnect your steering column. (The paper is valid for T&T as well as standard steering columns.)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: texas city texas
Re: Steering flexible coupling replacement...Hard? (Jim Shea)
Thanks guys. Hey Jim, I called my local dealership. Guy did not know much. It took a while for me to get him to understand which part I needed. He first quoted me for over $200 so I knew that was not it. I think i got him to understand. He said the part # I gave him was not good. He called the part a flange, for 40 dollars and some change, part#7807052. Is it possible the part # changed or is this guy full of it? :chevy
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Steering flexible coupling replacement...Hard? (mp77)
GM Parts Direct lists the 7818568 Flexible Coupling Assembly. This is the part that you want. I think your parts man is wrong!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 885
Likes: 18
From: McFarland WI
Re: Steering flexible coupling replacement...Hard? (Jim Shea)
mp77, Don't pry or pound or push the end of the steering column back toward the steering wheel to gain space to replace the part. It is designed to collapse in an accident, but can be pried back as well, but it won't return to normal position. :)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Re: Steering flexible coupling replacement...Hard? (mp77)
Thanks. Is there any aftermarket stuff that is better than the stock? :cheers:
you will see the universal couplings that they sell. Almost all the hot rodders use them and as far as I know they build a quality product. I'm going to have to replace my rag joint next year and I'm thinking of going with them. Their universal just seems like a more elegant solution than a rubber disk held between two flanges. I know, a lot of people will disagree, but it just seems right to me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Steering flexible coupling replacement...Hard? (vettfixr)
The rubber disc in the flexible coupling does several things that the universal joint cannot do. One, it isolates road shocks from being transmitted up the steering shaft into the steering wheel. Two, it does take up a minor amount of steering column offset from the steering gear. (This reduces stress on the lower column bearing.) Three, it does allow a minor amount of body to frame motion. (The flexible coupling can compress or stretch a minor amount and it takes up body to frame motion over rough roads for instance.)
