Somehow I caught my pants on the turn signal lever. Something broke inside the tilt column. The signals still worked, they just would not click into or out of position. Now the left signal will not work at all. I need to know what is broken and how much time and $ it will take to fix? I was looking for my Vette catalougs, they got thrown out during my office reorganisation. I need help! TIA

Rick West

 

http://www.corvettefaq.com/listing.asp?group=7

Near the bottom of the page are several articles written by Jim Shea, the steering guru. Best papers I've ever read!!

These will at least point you in the right direction. (I think!)

Paul

 

If your problem is actually the fact that your switch is broken, here are the replacements.

If you have a 1969 through 1976 T&T column you are in fairly big trouble because that original turn signal switch is quite hard to find. However, I think that http://www.corvettesteering.com has tooled up a replacement.

A 1977 through 1982 T&T switch is available through GM dealers #1997984 and through other Corvette suppliers.

If you have a standard (non-adjustable) 1969 through 79 column the turn signal switch is available through GM dealers #1997988 and from other suppliers.

Paul has given you the link to my papers that will assist you in actually disassembling the column and repairing the switch.

Good luck,
Jim

 

Jim!! There you are! I needed some help too!! Puhleeze!

I"ve been following your papers, but since there was about 3 weeks time difference between teardown and reassembly (me being impatient and now wounded) I've lost track of how I took it apart. Although the papers and drawings are very good, some of the detail I've lost.

1) How does the transfer lever (funky dogleg shaped piece) go between the shift lever block and the switch block? (SIGNAL SWITCH ARM, block 2, page 1 of your paper)

2) The ACTUATOR is misaligned now somehow. The lever will push the actuator which will push the relay rod, but now not quite "enough"

3) Is there an adjustment on the whole turn signal switch itself? Tentatively tightening down the switch and maneuvering the switch lever, right turn will click, but left turn, not quite "enough"

I still have to put the rest of the darn thing back together, and getting frustrated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :smash: :boxing :cry

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!

Thanks,
Paul

 

Paul,
According to your signature you have a 1973 Vette. The 1969 through 1976 steering columns did not have a switch arm or an actuator. When you look at the T&T column disassembly and repair pic #1, all of the parts that are marked with a # symbol are the parts used in the 1977 through 1982 steering columns with dimmer switches.

So I am confused. If you have the correct column for the 1973 Vette, you do not have a headlight dimmer switch on the column. So there is no switch arm. The turn signal lever for a 1973 T&T column should screw into a post that is part of the turn signal switch.

Even if you have a standard (non-adjustable) 1973 steering column, the turn signal lever should attach directly to the turn signal switch with a single screw. The standard column disassembly and repair pic #1 I tried to mark all of the dimmer column parts with a * symbol.

So please try and explain your problem differently so I can understand the issue. Also we are hijacking this thread.

 

Oops, you are right, Jim! New thread started

 

Jim: Thanks for the brutal truth! My 74 has T&T. Scott Dixon told me the same thing. Now the question is: Do I fix the one I have, or let Scott get me a new one? I looked up the "corvettesteering". What would I ask them for? If I was to do this "repair", what else should I include at the same time? Are any upgrades possible? Would a newer part work better? This is a daily driven wannabe semi pro tourer. I don't care where a better part comes from! Now I have seen the Guru in action, I am blessed. You the man.

Rick West

 

Rick,
Let's get back to your problem. What year Vette do you own? Standard (non-adjustable) or T&T column?

If I read your problem correctly, you have a Vette with a column mounted dimmer switch. (You pull the turn signal lever toward you and it actuates the dimmer.)

Do you have a broken piece of your turn signal switch stuck in the dimmer pivot?

If this is the case, go to http://www.corvettefaq.com and look in the Steering section.

Download the following paper and the pic that follows:

Turn Lever Stub Removal 1977-82
Turn Lever Stub Tool Pics

The paper and pic describes how to make two simple tools to remove the broken stub without having to disassemble your steering column. Unless the actual steering column pivot is broken, you will just have to purchase a replacement turn signal lever from one of the Corvette suppliers.

 

UHHHH...Rick, She MUST have been real rrealllly HOT, for you to get your PANTS caught into the turn signal lever.....can't imagine how that would happen unless some kind of contorsionism was taking place....

now fess up and tell 'the rest of the story'.......

GENE :D :eek: :D

 

Jim: My 74 has T&T. There is no dimmer on the column. The dimmer in on the floor. I briefly checked out you excellent info. My problem is making the cost effective decision. Do I fix what I have or get a new sub assembly? My car is NOT #s matching and I don't care about mix & match to get a better/newer part! Hope this helps.
The pants got caught getting into the car on a very steep and angled driveway!. No mischief involved.

Rick

 

So you have a 1974 T&T column. Then you have a steel post that extends down from the turn signal switch inside the steering column and your turn signal lever screws into that post. The post is staked into the pivot of the turn signal switch. It sounds as if you have broken or at least loosened that connection between the post and your switch.

So my original solution for a 1969 through 1976 T&T column is still valid.

If you have a 1969 through 1976 T&T column you are in fairly big trouble because that original turn signal switch is quite hard to find. However, I think that http://www.corvettesteering.com has tooled up a replacement.

Now that I think about it, I believe that Dr. Rebuild may still have some NOS switches available. But they aren't cheap!

Unless you are considering going to a 1978-82 T&T steering column with a dimmer switch, there aren't any other steering column upgrades that can be done to your car. Completely rebuilt columns are in the $400 - $500 range.

If I were to guess, I would think that sending yours out to fix will probably be in the $200 - $300 range. http://www.columnsgalore.com is a company out of New York that specializes in fixing all types of old steering columns. You might at least contact them for a ballpark price and indicate that you require a new turn signal switch for your 1974 Corvette T&T column.

The most cost effective thing would be for you to tear down your steering column using my papers posted at http://www.corvettefaq.com . Then you would know for sure if your turn signal switch connection to the steel post is the cause of your problems. Then purchase a switch from corvetteservice or Dr.Rebuild and install it yourself. (Once you have the old switch out of the column, it might even be remotely possible to fix it.)

Just remember that further help is just a post on the Corvetteforum away!!!

Good luck and Merry Christmas,
Jim

 

Jim: Thanks you for sharing your vast knowledge on this subject. I guess I wasn't clear that my Vette isn't just a daily driver, it is my only car. For me money and downtime are both issues. I am good w/basic hand tools. I'm concerned that I will get deep into it and find that I need specialised tools ie: snap ring plyers. What should I have on hand BEFORE I start this project? Thanks again.

Rick West

 

So it sounds as if you want to just purchase a replacement column and swap your column for the new one. Since you own a 1974, you will require a T&T steering column from a 1969 through 1976 Vette. (They are all identical.)

If that is all you want to do, then a steering wheel puller is just about the only special tool that you would require. However, make sure that your new T&T column comes with its own lock cylinder and key(s) otherwise you will need to partially disassemble both columns to swap your old lock cylinder into the new one.

Since you have all of your own hardware (i.e. steering wheel, extension, star screw, hub, levers, etc) you might be able to get a deal from one of the Corvette salvage yards or one of the vendors.

Merry Christmas


[Modified by Jim Shea, 7:40 AM 12/25/2003]

 

Jim: A straight swap would be hopefully fast but probably expensive! As long as I can finish in a weekend/3 days, I have no problem pulling things apart. I am concerned that I will get things apart and find out that I need to order and wait for more parts and that special tools that I don't have will be needed. This isn't my first time at the rodeo. I have seen these type of projects become nightmares of biblical proportions! I'm sure you can see my situation. I am hoping that w/planning and preperation, I can keep the drama to a minimum. Feel free to advise.

Rick

 

There are only two special tools that your will require to replace the turn signal switch (besides the usual assortment of phillips screwdrivers, small sockets, big and small regular screwdrivers, etc). You will need a steering wheel puller and a lock plate compressor tool. Both of these tools can usually be borrowed from your local Autozone for a day or so. You should also have a 5/16-18 UNC set screw (#20 set screw) along with its allen wrench.

Purchase the following:
A 1969-76 turn signal switch but leave it sealed in its bag until you have removed your switch and are sure that you need to replace it. (I think even Dr.Rebuild will take it back within 30 days as long as it is still sealed in its original bag.) CorvetteSteering states that they will not take it back.

One C-clip retainer. GM part #7808385 or Zip Products #SC-517 (There is about a 99% chance that your original clip retainer is brittle and broken).

After removing the steering wheel, hub, retaining clip, and lock plate. You should be able to unclip the turn signal wires down under the dash. Now remove the three screws that hold the turn signal switch inside the column housing. You can now pull the switch far enough out of the column housing for you to inspect it. This should tell you if replacing the switch will solve your problem.

I have found that if you must remove the switch and its wires all the way out of the steering column (the wiring clip under the dash always seems to get hung up inside the column). It is my experience that it is much easier to remove the whole column from the car; stand it up on end; and then "fish" the switch wires up and out of the column. Complete instructions are listed in the T&T Disassembly & Repair Paper #2.

If you find that for some reason your problem is more extensive than just the turn signal switch, it seems that you can still put your column back together and order more parts!

Believe me, the first time you disassemble and pull a column it takes a bit of time. However, the second or third time the procedure gets a lot faster!
:smash:

 

Jim: I believe that you have a plan! My only concern is, how good am I going to get at this? How many times does an average idiot "that be me" have to redo the job to get it right? I owe you one, maybe two.

Rick west