C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

Rod Inside Steering Column

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 2, 2019 | 07:48 PM
  #1  
Black_C4's Avatar
Black_C4
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Default Rod Inside Steering Column



Hello yall from Charleston SC! I have a 91 Coupe with the automatic.

Im venturing well outside of my comfort zone with this project, I dont mind challenging myself. I am a professional motorcycle mechanic. And used to build Honda race cars (yeah, yeah).

I am working on a few issues in the steering column, floppy turn signal stalk, replacing the ignition lock, and removed the cluster to send out for repair.

I can tell someone who didnt know what they where doing was in there before. And I am questioning whether this rod (circled in attach pic) is not where it is supposed to be. Im looking for some insight and/or where I can find some pics or good info on the steering column internals. I will be downloading a service manual tonight as well.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Last edited by Black_C4; Mar 2, 2019 at 08:09 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2019 | 08:12 PM
  #2  
belairbrian's Avatar
belairbrian
Melting Slicks
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,024
Likes: 363
From: Central Alabama
Default

it's the high beam low beam dimmer rod

Reply
Old Mar 2, 2019 | 08:17 PM
  #3  
belairbrian's Avatar
belairbrian
Melting Slicks
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,024
Likes: 363
From: Central Alabama
Default

here's a link to the Illustrated Parts Breakdown
91 Steering Column IPB
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2019 | 04:24 PM
  #4  
csthews's Avatar
csthews
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 917
Likes: 25
From: College Station Tx
Default

There is a plastic switch rod actuator that goes between the rod and the multi-function switch. If it is missing, that answers why your stalk is loose.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2019 | 04:37 PM
  #5  
Black_C4's Avatar
Black_C4
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Default

Its defiantly missing lol The rod was just chillin in there!

Thanks for the hint. Now I have to find one of those. Would it happen to be #21 or 22 in the above parts diagram?

Last edited by Black_C4; Mar 3, 2019 at 04:38 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2019 | 07:25 PM
  #6  
belairbrian's Avatar
belairbrian
Melting Slicks
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,024
Likes: 363
From: Central Alabama
Default

It's part 21 it's just a piece of plastic and just sits in there. 22 is the pivot pin for the washer switch.

Amazon Amazon
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2019 | 09:23 PM
  #7  
csthews's Avatar
csthews
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 917
Likes: 25
From: College Station Tx
Default

One more thing. It is not unusual for these cars to have a little (or a lot) of left-right wobble in the steering column which is the result of people using the steering wheel to get in and out of the car. If that is the case, you might want to address that while you have the steering wheel off. If you don't address it, that switch rod actuator may fall off again, and if it does, it is really tough to get back in place with the steering wheel in place. Ask me how I know. There are numerous posts here on the steering wheel movement. Also, make sure no one uses the steering wheel as leverage to get in/out of the car.

Last edited by csthews; Mar 3, 2019 at 09:23 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2019 | 07:53 PM
  #8  
Black_C4's Avatar
Black_C4
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Default

Ok, Ive got the dimmer rod and the plastic piece figured out. Also tightened up the column/tilt bolts.

Next, back to the original reason I pulled this mess apart. Im dealing with the floppy stalk issue. My switch assembly isnt broken. The actuator Dosent seem to stay in the mechanism unless I put pressure on it with my hand.

Ive studied the diagram and manual as best I can, I do not see anything missing or broken. Ive re-installed the lock ring and retainer clip to see if that would hold enuff pressure on the assembly to keep the actuator in place, no dice.

The actuator dosent seem bent, but I may try to tweak it slightly. But I wanna ask here first lol Im not a fan of "Bubba" fixes


Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-8

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
Old Mar 11, 2019 | 06:29 PM
  #9  
belairbrian's Avatar
belairbrian
Melting Slicks
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,024
Likes: 363
From: Central Alabama
Default

Where is the play? between the turn signal switch (yellow part) and the actuator (metal part in last pic). when the actuator is screwed in those two should move as one.

Which switch assy is not broken, the turn signal switch or the wiper switch? If the guide on the wiper switch is broken the lever flops down.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2019 | 09:10 PM
  #10  
Black_C4's Avatar
Black_C4
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Default

The titty (sorry) on the actuator dosent stay in the guide on the stalk part. The little circle, inside the big circle.

The signal cam and springs are ok.

Im just gonna replace the signal switch as well. Then everything will be new lol

Last edited by Black_C4; Mar 11, 2019 at 09:11 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2019 | 06:15 PM
  #11  
csthews's Avatar
csthews
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 917
Likes: 25
From: College Station Tx
Default

Are you sure you have the bottom end of the switch rod firmly seated in the actual dimmer switch?
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2019 | 08:04 PM
  #12  
Black_C4's Avatar
Black_C4
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by csthews
Are you sure you have the bottom end of the switch rod firmly seated in the actual dimmer switch?
Yes sir. The dimmer rod was actually easier than it was made out to be to install lol

The whole setup isnt that complicated after Ive installed it all. Thats why Im kinda confused lol

Im perfectly happy "just throwing parts at it" since its my ride. I have a tendency to do that with my projects, since everything will be new when Im done. I absolutely dont treat customers rides the same way lol

Im ordering a wiper switch and will install that next. Seems to be the only other option.
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2019 | 07:58 PM
  #13  
Black_C4's Avatar
Black_C4
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Default

Well, not to leave this post unanswered, I figured my situation out. The hard (expensive) way.

I replaced the wiper/washer multifunction switch, which are getting hard to find in 2018. Got mine for $200 from OReillys.
Replaced the turn signal cam/switch assembly. And the aggravating little plastic dimmer slide or whatever its called. Even installed a new ign lock, while I was in there lol

Turned to to actually be that metal fork, actuator. In the above picture, the little yellow circle inside the large circle, you can see the space. The end of the little fork that fits into the multifunction switch, was tweaked slightly. I bought this car from a mechanic who got it from someone with blown head gaskets lol So who knows.

Tweaked the end farther towards the slide where it fits into.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Rod Inside Steering Column





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:44 AM.

story-0
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Is the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 the best Silverado yet?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-16 08:01:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

Slideshow: 5 best and 5 worst Corvette daily drivers

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:32:13


VIEW MORE
story-2
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

Slideshow: The headlights of every Corvette generation explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:17:14


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-5
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE