Steering column won't collapse
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Joined: Sep 2020
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Steering column won't collapse
Hey there. I am in the middle of a Borgeson steering conversion. I am to the point of collapsing the steering column so the new steering box will fit. I had a piece of wood on the end of the shaft and have been hitting it with a hammer. The motor is not in so I am able to get good solid hits. It seems to move in a little and then bounce right back out. Any tips?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 90
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 90
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
On my '68 the lower steering shaft bearing was in terrible shape/rusted to the steering shaft where it went thru the firewall. The inner race of the bearing was seized onto the steering shaft and would not allow the bottom part of the shaft to move/collapse.
I had to rremove the entire column assembly and replace the old bearing so everything would "co-operate".
Let's hope you don't have to remove the column...try spraying some rust penetrating fluid up into the area where the firewall mount is located.
I had to rremove the entire column assembly and replace the old bearing so everything would "co-operate".
Let's hope you don't have to remove the column...try spraying some rust penetrating fluid up into the area where the firewall mount is located.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 90
Likes: 13
On my '68 the lower steering shaft bearing was in terrible shape/rusted to the steering shaft where it went thru the firewall. The inner race of the bearing was seized onto the steering shaft and would not allow the bottom part of the shaft to move/collapse.
I had to rremove the entire column assembly and replace the old bearing so everything would "co-operate".
Let's hope you don't have to remove the column...try spraying some rust penetrating fluid up into the area where the firewall mount is located.
I had to rremove the entire column assembly and replace the old bearing so everything would "co-operate".
Let's hope you don't have to remove the column...try spraying some rust penetrating fluid up into the area where the firewall mount is located.
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My 73 column collapsed when I separated the column and the steering box to remove the rag joint and I was just prying the two apart using a flat blade screwdriver.
I’ve read several threads where people had issues collapsing their column and needed to really pound on it to get it to collapse or like Doorgunner who had to remove it to get it done.
Ignatz is also correct by asking if it was already collapsed.
Its possible that the column was collapsed by a prior owner during a repair or replacement of the rag joint and the column was damaged, rusted or welded.
I’ve read several threads where people had issues collapsing their column and needed to really pound on it to get it to collapse or like Doorgunner who had to remove it to get it done.
Ignatz is also correct by asking if it was already collapsed.
Its possible that the column was collapsed by a prior owner during a repair or replacement of the rag joint and the column was damaged, rusted or welded.
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From: Virginia
I pulled my column, supported the lower flange, and was able to collapse the column, but not before some errant hits damaged the splines, which needed to be repaired. I then replaced the lower column bushing.
Anyway, here's a recent cautionary tale of how not to do it.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-borgeson.html
Anyway, here's a recent cautionary tale of how not to do it.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-borgeson.html
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Joined: Sep 2020
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Rcread was correct. I wasn't using a big enough hammer. I put wood over the shaft to protect the threads and then beat the hell out of it. About 5 or 6 solid hits and it started to move. Thanks to all that had suggestions for me.