Steering Column fix (Tilt)
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,584
Likes: 237
From: Bartlett Illinois
Steering Column fix (Tilt)
I know I read it somewhere.
What company sells the replacement housing for the tilt issue suffered on the 90-up cars?
I think I might just get a new housing for the 90 but I forgot where I saw it
What company sells the replacement housing for the tilt issue suffered on the 90-up cars?
I think I might just get a new housing for the 90 but I forgot where I saw it
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 379
Likes: 12
From: Huntsvegas AL
Probably this thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...pictorial.html
My source for NOS housings was corvettesteering.com
Last post in the referenced thread makes mention that you can get oversized pins. Definitely cheaper, but I would surmise they would only work if yours isnt too far gone.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...pictorial.html
My source for NOS housings was corvettesteering.com
Last post in the referenced thread makes mention that you can get oversized pins. Definitely cheaper, but I would surmise they would only work if yours isnt too far gone.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 379
Likes: 12
From: Huntsvegas AL
dont know about the oversized pins. I didnt know about them when I rebuilt my column.
I read somewhere (here maybe) that you can simply lower the column (without disassembling anything) by removing the two bolts under the knee bolster. The electrical cables and whatnot should have enough slack to allow the column to lower enough to clear the lower dash, allowing access to the pins. Note: I never used this method, and I dont know how you could compensate for the tilt-counterbalance spring - its fairly stiff. In other words, if you removed one of the pins with the spring still under tension, it might force the housings out of alignment to the point you wont be able to get the pin back in. Mebbe somebody else will chime in.
I read somewhere (here maybe) that you can simply lower the column (without disassembling anything) by removing the two bolts under the knee bolster. The electrical cables and whatnot should have enough slack to allow the column to lower enough to clear the lower dash, allowing access to the pins. Note: I never used this method, and I dont know how you could compensate for the tilt-counterbalance spring - its fairly stiff. In other words, if you removed one of the pins with the spring still under tension, it might force the housings out of alignment to the point you wont be able to get the pin back in. Mebbe somebody else will chime in.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 65
Likes: 1
From: hamilton waikato
I fixed the play in my column recently by repairing the housings rather than buying new ones. I'm a machinest so for me this was a far cheaper option. You can get the pins out with the column still in the car by undoing the two upper bolts. On my car replacing the pins with larger ones wouldnt have worked though and I'm assuming most cars would be the same. The bores the pins sit in were oval not round causing the play. The play wasn't caused by wear but rather the housings were stretched giving them there oval shape. (this would make sense as you dont often change the tilt)
Because of this im not sure if hammering in larger pins would have pulled every thing back into place.
I bored the pin holes out and Inserted bushes the same size as the pins.
This took the play out and so far has been fine.
Also you can remove the spring with the column in place. I just pulled the pins out when I did mine though. It doesnt move that far forward.
I don't think I have explained this very well so if you have any questions feel free to ask.
Because of this im not sure if hammering in larger pins would have pulled every thing back into place.
I bored the pin holes out and Inserted bushes the same size as the pins.
This took the play out and so far has been fine.
Also you can remove the spring with the column in place. I just pulled the pins out when I did mine though. It doesnt move that far forward.
I don't think I have explained this very well so if you have any questions feel free to ask.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 379
Likes: 12
From: Huntsvegas AL
Jeff,
heres the breakdown:
Corvette Steering: NOS tilt housings, $310. Dont have a PN handy, but he'll surely know what you're talking about when you call. In my case, I got both the upper and lower housings. I think he only sells the pair anyway. In my case, the pins themselves were ok. The alumimum housing doesnt wear down the steel pins. But I gotta tell ya, for the price of new pins (~$10), I wished I replaced mine, just for the peace of mind. One of those "might as well since Im here" kinda of things.
Bottom bearing spring retainer (GM 7847029) $7 - got one off of ebay. Optional, as I broke this when removing it. My car had two anyway. odd
Loctite 609 - ~$20. Can get this fairly rare (and expensive) breed of Locktite at any reputable machine supply store. Fastenal has it I know.
good luck,
John
heres the breakdown:
Corvette Steering: NOS tilt housings, $310. Dont have a PN handy, but he'll surely know what you're talking about when you call. In my case, I got both the upper and lower housings. I think he only sells the pair anyway. In my case, the pins themselves were ok. The alumimum housing doesnt wear down the steel pins. But I gotta tell ya, for the price of new pins (~$10), I wished I replaced mine, just for the peace of mind. One of those "might as well since Im here" kinda of things.
Bottom bearing spring retainer (GM 7847029) $7 - got one off of ebay. Optional, as I broke this when removing it. My car had two anyway. odd
Loctite 609 - ~$20. Can get this fairly rare (and expensive) breed of Locktite at any reputable machine supply store. Fastenal has it I know.
good luck,
John
Last edited by Gear Jammer; Jul 6, 2011 at 09:20 AM. Reason: goofed
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,584
Likes: 237
From: Bartlett Illinois
Thanks John,
I am thinking I need to rebuild mine for piece of mind as well
One last thing, was yours a 90? if so how did you keep the clock spring for the Air bag from spinning too much, heard that is something that needs to be watched when removing the wheel
I am thinking I need to rebuild mine for piece of mind as well
One last thing, was yours a 90? if so how did you keep the clock spring for the Air bag from spinning too much, heard that is something that needs to be watched when removing the wheel
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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I fixed the play in my column recently by repairing the housings rather than buying new ones. I'm a machinest so for me this was a far cheaper option. You can get the pins out with the column still in the car by undoing the two upper bolts. On my car replacing the pins with larger ones wouldnt have worked though and I'm assuming most cars would be the same. The bores the pins sit in were oval not round causing the play. The play wasn't caused by wear but rather the housings were stretched giving them there oval shape. (this would make sense as you dont often change the tilt)
Because of this im not sure if hammering in larger pins would have pulled every thing back into place.
I bored the pin holes out and Inserted bushes the same size as the pins.
This took the play out and so far has been fine.
Also you can remove the spring with the column in place. I just pulled the pins out when I did mine though. It doesnt move that far forward.
I don't think I have explained this very well so if you have any questions feel free to ask.
Because of this im not sure if hammering in larger pins would have pulled every thing back into place.
I bored the pin holes out and Inserted bushes the same size as the pins.
This took the play out and so far has been fine.
Also you can remove the spring with the column in place. I just pulled the pins out when I did mine though. It doesnt move that far forward.
I don't think I have explained this very well so if you have any questions feel free to ask.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 65
Likes: 1
From: hamilton waikato
Yeah I rebushed all 4 bores. I used Teflon coated steel bushes I brought from a store which worked mint. Personally I'm not 100% convinced it will last forever but if I get another 20 years out if it I will be happy.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 379
Likes: 12
From: Huntsvegas AL
To replace the housings, the steering shaft has to be removed from the column. According to the FSM, removing the steering shaft requires removing the column assembly from the vehicle. In this case, I believe them. It would be almost impossible to remove the shaft while the column is in the car. Definitely easier to work on once it is removed from the car.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
When I did my 93 last winter I took a dremel to the housing and ground enough material out of the middle so that it could be removed over the shaft without removing it. Also had to do the same thing to the new housing but i think there is no loss of strength in the area where the material is removed.. Saved a lot of work I think.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,845
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
My tilt mechanism completely failed
Since some of the switches (wiper) we shot as well
I'm replacing the entire column with a used one $300
Vs rebuilding the old one $1200
Since some of the switches (wiper) we shot as well
I'm replacing the entire column with a used one $300
Vs rebuilding the old one $1200
