The telescoping section of my steering column is very loose and flops around. Wondering what is involved in rebuilding it and are there any diagrams on the telescoping part of it. Better yet who has rebuilt one? This is on a 76.

 

Jim Shea wrote the book of steering columns
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?cat=5

If you are stuck post back with a pic if you can.

 

Are you speaking of the locking ring / lever? If so, you just need to adjust it. The locking ring has a "star" screw gizmo in the center of the wheel with small screws for attachment. Remove those screws, use a large Phillips screwdriver to SNUG the "star" screw down. Now position the lock wheel so that the lever is straight up and install the little screws. Move the lever to the left (to unlock its) and make sure that the wheel is free to move in and out. Now move it to the right to lock it, making sure that it locks BEFORE going all the way to the right. If that all works, you are good to go. If it's not quite right, adjust the "star" screw one notch in the direction you need.

 

Thanks for the link. I’ll take a few pics this weekend, the steering wheel and whole end of the column pull right off and there is a lot of play in the shaft.

 

Here’s what I have, looks like I’m missing a few pieces and the upper shaft bearing is sort.

 

Some assembly required! Jim Shea's papers will give you the instruction you need.

The piece in the upper right of the last photo is not part of the steering, it's a brace behind the speedo and tach housing.

Start by replacing the turn signal switch, it looks a little chewed up, you will need a new insulator also. Lower horn contact also.

 

Here is a picture of that star screw he referred to. To my experience, this is the only thing that controls the telescope action.

 

Yes, that star screw locks the telescope, but there is a whole lot more that's wrong.

Start by removing the horn button.
Remove the 2 small screws that hold the lock ring to the star screw.
Remove the star screw.
Remove the 3 screws holding the upper horn contact to the wheel.
Rent or buy a steering wheel puller and separate the upper shaft from the steering wheel.
Replace your turn signal switch because one of the cancelling springs is gone, and also the horn contact is gone.
Then, insert the upper shaft into the lower shaft, insert the rod in the pic into the hole in the upper shaft.
Buy a lock plate tool such as this.
Make sure the front tires are pointing straight.
Put the spring in the last pic onto the shaft, put the white plastic cancelling cam from the pic on the shaft with the 3 brass contacts up and the smaller one at the 12:00 position.
Put the steel lock plate on top of the cancelling cam.
Using the new tool, discard the 2 sleeve looking parts of the tool, not needed here. Put the nut on the tool bolt then put it through the U shaped part of the tool. Thread the tool bolt into the end of the upper shaft, it will lock the tele in place. Tighten the nut against the U shaped piece to compress the lock plate and spring.
Once the lock plate is compressed far enough, the C clip can be inserted into the shaft groove with the opening facing down, 6:00 position. The wide leg of the clip will be on the right.


Release the pressure on the tool and remove it.
Put the new insulator on over the shaft and C clip
Assemble the new lower contact to the under side of the steering wheel with the two Philips screws.
Put the small piece of hose onto the upper shaft(cushion to keep the wheel from bottoming out).
On the end of the upper shaft should be a small hash mark, also on the steering wheel hub, align these marks as you put the wheel on the shaft. The steering wheel should be straight.
Install the steering wheel retaining nut.
If the upper contact brush is there, install it into the wheel hub, spring first, then the nail looking piece, head down, then the plastic bushing/retainer.
Next is the upper horn stand, then the telescoping lock ring. Tighten the star screw just enough so the tele is locked, then install the lock ring screws to the star screw. Test it to make sure it locks and unlocks by turning the lock ring, adjust as needed. Next put the upper horn contact on using the 3 screws through the stand and attach to the steering wheel. Horn button snaps on to that.

 

Thanks! ‘75

yes there was a whole lot wrong with it, a few pieces missing, a few worn out, and just about everything put together wrong. The previous owner worked on it and told me it would need a new column, but after digging through the parts and tacking the column apart, it looks like a turn signal switch and a couple small parts and it will be good.

Thanks for the help.