steering column spring plate installation.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 269
Likes: 4
From: Bossier City Louisiana
steering column spring plate installation.
I have been putting my 84 C4 back together and am on the steering column now. I replaced the tilt portion with new and am ready to finish the steering column.
There is the plastic piece that goes in after the spring, then the plate for the steering lock mechanism. My car has telescoping as probably most did. My problem now of course is how to compress the spring to slide in the clip that holds the plate along with the shaft for the telescoping portion.
I look on line and see a tool to use if you can grab onto the threads that hold the steering wheel on but mine are part of the telescoping shaft so there is no way that can work.
It would seem that the tool would have to press in on the center rod that is used to lock the telescoping part after adjusting it. I can see that if the tool pushed in on that rod and held the part that slides in and out enough, I might be able to push the spring plate in enough to put in the C clip to hold whole mechanism together.
When I took it apart I was able, with a lot of swearing, to push the plate in somehow to release that C clip.
Any help? I you need more info please ask or photos. This is a stock column too.
Thanks
Russ
There is the plastic piece that goes in after the spring, then the plate for the steering lock mechanism. My car has telescoping as probably most did. My problem now of course is how to compress the spring to slide in the clip that holds the plate along with the shaft for the telescoping portion.
I look on line and see a tool to use if you can grab onto the threads that hold the steering wheel on but mine are part of the telescoping shaft so there is no way that can work.
It would seem that the tool would have to press in on the center rod that is used to lock the telescoping part after adjusting it. I can see that if the tool pushed in on that rod and held the part that slides in and out enough, I might be able to push the spring plate in enough to put in the C clip to hold whole mechanism together.
When I took it apart I was able, with a lot of swearing, to push the plate in somehow to release that C clip.
Any help? I you need more info please ask or photos. This is a stock column too.
Thanks
Russ
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
I made my own special tool out of the bolt that holds the crosspin for the spider gears in an s10 truck differential. You are going to have to do something similar so you can lock the telescopic mechanism in place, and properly compress the lock plate spring.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
A 5/16-18 set screw of substantial length or some just cut off a 5/16-18 cap screw. That will thread into the upper shaft and allow you to lock the column. So long as you've got the lock shaft inserted correctly. That isn't in this link but the upper most hardware under the wheel is.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1596571489
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1596571489
Last edited by WVZR-1; Apr 15, 2018 at 02:17 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 269
Likes: 4
From: Bossier City Louisiana
A 5/16-18 set screw of substantial length or some just cut off a 5/16-18 cap screw. That will thread into the upper shaft and allow you to lock the column. So long as you've got the lock shaft inserted correctly. That isn't in this link but the upper most hardware under the wheel is.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1596571489
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1596571489
