When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
As I was installing the steering wheel I noticed that there is a lot of play in my tilt&tele steering column.
Would this be described as excessive and is there a way to fix this issue?
My guess is the four bowl support screws are loose. Very common problem. Cheap but hard fix as you have to tear the column down pretty far to get to them. Blue loctite on them and no more problem.
Is the T&T locking mechanism engaged in the video?
I checked my '72 when it was unlocked and it wobbled up and down a bit - maybe not quite as much as yours but definitely loose; when locked it was solid.
Is the T&T locking mechanism engaged in the video?
I checked my '72 when it was unlocked and it wobbled up and down a bit - maybe not quite as much as yours but definitely loose; when locked it was solid.
Yes, the locking mechanism is engaged in the video.
The column in my '79 had about the same amount of play. The research I did at the time led me to believe that the bearings are toast and only solution is a complete rebuild of the column. I wasn't prepared to tie up the car for weeks or months while I had the column rebuilt, and I wasn't comfortable doing it myself. I've had it apart far enough to do the turn signal switch and the pivot, but I'm not going any farther. So I picked up another column from a '77 which I painted and swapped in. I suppose the rebuild of the original column really should find its way to the top of the to-do list sometime soon.
Anyone know of someone who they would trust to rebuild a column?
Toasted bearings would show up more with the rotation or looseness of the shaft, which is not what the op has going on. I would bet my last dollar the bowl support screws are loose.
Toasted bearings would show up more with the rotation or looseness of the shaft, which is not what the op has going on. I would bet my last dollar the bowl support screws are loose.
My guess is the four bowl support screws are loose. Very common problem. Cheap but hard fix as you have to tear the column down pretty far to get to them. Blue loctite on them and no more problem.
I tried to disassemble the column but I got stuck at pulling the hub off. I have the puller but it doesn't budge at all
Also found a rebuilt steering column here in Europe but it is from 1976-1978 Corvette. Would it fit in 71?
Last edited by Primoz; Mar 30, 2026 at 02:50 PM.
Reason: added
Primoz, to get to those bowl support screws column would have to come out of the car and you would need to tear it down almost all the way. You would need a couple other tools in addition to the hub puller. It's a shame it takes all that work to tighten four screws but that's the way it is.
A 76 column would work if you used the hub and everything above it from your column. 76 had a one year only hub, steering wheel, upper cover, horn contact and tele lever assembly. From there down it is identical to your column. A 77 is another one year only column that would bolt right in to your car, but has the dimmer and windshield wiper switch in the column. A 78-82 column would fit if you modified the lower collar to a shorter dimension. The 77-82 columns are two inches shorter so are more comfortable for us bigger guys. I have one in my 69. Show a couple pics of the column and I can tell you what it is.
Primoz, to get to those bowl support screws column would have to come out of the car and you would need to tear it down almost all the way. You would need a couple other tools in addition to the hub puller. It's a shame it takes all that work to tighten four screws but that's the way it is.
A 76 column would work if you used the hub and everything above it from your column. 76 had a one year only hub, steering wheel, upper cover, horn contact and tele lever assembly. From there down it is identical to your column. A 77 is another one year only column that would bolt right in to your car, but has the dimmer and windshield wiper switch in the column. A 78-82 column would fit if you modified the lower collar to a shorter dimension. The 77-82 columns are two inches shorter so are more comfortable for us bigger guys. I have one in my 69. Show a couple pics of the column and I can tell you what it is.
Thanks for all the information.
Here are the photos of the rebuilt steering column.
Yes, that is a 76 column and would work perfectly in your 71. That does not look like a tilt/tele column though. If it is, you would just need the hub and all the parts above it right up to the horn button from your column. If it is just a standard column I don't think the upper parts from yours would work, but I don't know much about the standard columns. Is there anyone around you that can tear your column down for you?
Last edited by 69ttop502; Mar 31, 2026 at 07:28 AM.
Yes, that is a 76 column and would work perfectly in your 71. That does not look like a tilt/tele column though. If it is, you would just need the hub and all the parts above it right up to the horn button from your column. If it is just a standard column I don't think the upper parts from yours would work, but I don't know much about the standard columns. Is there anyone around you that can tear your column down for you?
I don't mind if I don't have a tilt and tele steering wheel.
The only thing that bothers me is that the 76 column doesn't have an interlock system like a 71 does. And I don't know how that works on 76. Will have to look into it.
I can disassemble my old steering column but I'm afraid I don't have all the tools necessary to do it.
The 76 should have the interlock system.
I thought I saw the interlock lever in your picture, just the edge of it. Too bad I see where you are, I was going to say send it to me and I will fix it for you for nothing. 😁
Only additional tools you would need are a lock plate compressor and pivot pin puller. You can use a socket to remove the shift tube and file down a couple of guides to make it easily slip fit back into the shift bowl.
Last edited by 69ttop502; Mar 31, 2026 at 11:21 AM.
Managed to disassemble the hub and got to the 3 bolts.
Tightened the hell out of them and the play is almost gone. Some remains but that is necessary I presume.
Now to the job of squeezing the bloody spring on so I can squeeze in the pin that locks it in place.
Thanks for all the help.
The seller will not be happy as I am going to tell him I don't need the steering column any more.
Although for $600 it is not a bad price...
Last edited by Primoz; Apr 2, 2026 at 12:01 PM.
Reason: add
Hopefully those helped, but are not the bolts I was referring to. They are a little deeper down, but if it got rid of the wobble, that's great.
Bill
It got rid of the wobble but not all of it. I am pretty sure it will come back.
I will none the less order the refurbished steering column and be done with it.
Excessive play in steering column
