Hi Jim,
I've had my 74 TT rebuilt by Steering Columns Galore up to the C clip. I'm following your instructions and diagrams. Here are my qs
1. I do not have and cannot find the three hole shim (#11 on AIM diagram). Do I have to have this? Not sure what purpose it serves. Do youu know of a source other than Dr. Rebuild? If I have to fabricate one, what material and thickness shoould I use?
2. I cannot tell much about #1 on the Steering column Blowup diagram. Is this piece plastic? I have a goofy looking plastic piece and I cannot determine where it goes.
3. When I follow instructions and tighten the star screw full tight, it has no effect on the tele function. The bolt slides easily up and down regardless of how tight the star screw is. What am I missing here?
4. After I install spacer, locking lever, upper horn contact and horn cap, the horn cap does not move down to honk the horn. Again, What am I missing?

 

ttt

 

flynhi, I be glad to help you if Jim doesn'r reply...in the meantime search here for his literature in the FAQ? section.....he published all the stuff on that TT column....I THINK he's the guy who designed it....

GENE

mrvette72@earthlink.net

 

mrvette,
Thanks for the offer. I've been using Jim's instructions sheets. They're very thorough and informative but they don't address the problems I'm having.
Any insight you can offer will be greatly appreciated.
regards,
Will

 

I'm certinaly no Jim, but here goes...

on #3, there is a woddruff style key that fits in the end of the steering wheel side rod. There is also a pin that rides the length of the rod. When you tighten the star screw it engeges a hole in this key and prevents the assembly from sliding. Perhaps you are missing the key or rod?

 

Monkeywrench,
I'm going to express even more ignorance here and ask what's a woodruff pin. Can you describe the appearance and location of the woodruff pin?

 

A woodruff key is a 1/2 circle (actually less than 1/2 about 1/3) and engages a key way in the steering column shaft (the tubular posrtion of the shaft in the tilt area. This particular key has a hole down the middle of it and a pin slides into place locking it in place when the star screw is turned.

If I rememebr when I get home I'll look in the AIm to see if I can spot the part#.

An example woodruff key...


The one in the vette is thicker and has a hole down the skinny edge.


[Modified by Monkeywrench, 11:18 AM 4/22/2003]

 

I think the shims you are referring to are about 1.5 inches daiameter with 3 ears on them...to space around the standoff bracket that holds the horn button contactor away from the tele lock ring....I suspect there is some variation in the clearances there...production thing....and those shims are used to take up any extra clearance....otherwise pressing trhe horn button will not allow enough clearance to make internal contact....
IN fact, you could use washers, it's just much more clumsey to assemble...
I used just pieces of pipe lengths on my 3 screws, cut to length, some years ago...as I wanted to get it DONE instead of obtaining yet another part/parts...so MY unit is not completely stock.....looks good though....

the horn contactor has a black looking springy looking somewhat flower shaped ring, which the button presses into....that is held to the other grounding ring with insulated pins/plastic bolts...it's kind of a simple assy really....but has a tab on it, that contacts that 1/4 diameter spring loaded contact shaft that goes down to the slip ring, which then goes to the horn relay eventually....

Jim and I have traded humorous comments on the overall design requirements of those TT columns....
pity the poor guys trying to incorporate air bags into the modern TT wheels....

GAFn'L.......

GENE

 

Monkeywrench,
Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out also.

 

mrvette,
Thanks for your reply.
The AIM shows a .010 clearance required between the horn cap and tele lock ring. Are the shims to adjust this clearance? If so, how thick should the shim be? Can I use washers to establish this clearance?
Regarding the horn contactor, do I understand correctly that the down leg on the upper contact assembly (GM 3949103) is not to contact the lower contact assembly (GM 3949105) unless the horn button is pressed? And that the shim is to maintain a slight separation between the two?
I am complete puzzled by your description of the black looking somewhat springy looking somewhat flower shaped ring.
Thanks for your patience. Sorry to be so dense.

 

flynhi, you look at the horn button 'holder' with the 3 tabs on it, it's comprised of one piece with the down leg on it, this ALLWAYS makes contact with the spring loaded....small light ~1/4 inch dia. spring....with a ~1/4 inch dia metal bar on it....now what happens is your horn button fits onto this top assy....the spring loaded black (in my car) piece is held onto the silver pieces with the down leg on it....there is insulated parts on this assy as the black section with the 'flower' or 'hubcap' looking spring loading round section...jeez that's a mouthful...grips the horn button itself....this top assy is comprised to 3 sectoions...the black spring loaded section, the bottom piece with the leg on it to contact the slip ring as above....and the top section the bolts go through....and through the silver cast piece, and throug notches in the steering wheel proper, and into the housing.....3 screws.....NOW those shims go between either the cast 3 legged piece and the housing....OR between that casting and the top horn springy assy......

damn, without that diagram in front of me, it's tough to describe....

plus of course I"m not sure what you have there....

GENE