'85 telescoping column help!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 22
Likes: 6
'85 telescoping column help!
Long story short, the column was taken apart to replace bad bearings and some broken turn signal bits. Well they got it all back together, but now the telescoping shaft wont lock. No matter where the slide lock is placed the shaft wont lock.
What could they have missed putting it back together? I've never had it apart so I'm clueless what could be wrong, missed or broke? The shop is our college so it's not like they get vette's everyday. I like supporting our local program. They have always done right by me in the past on all my vehicles, even the vette...but they are scratching their heads at this one too.
Any help you all could give will be greatly appreciated!
What could they have missed putting it back together? I've never had it apart so I'm clueless what could be wrong, missed or broke? The shop is our college so it's not like they get vette's everyday. I like supporting our local program. They have always done right by me in the past on all my vehicles, even the vette...but they are scratching their heads at this one too.
Any help you all could give will be greatly appreciated!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,396
Likes: 2,741
Given your situation I believe I'd start here:
http://www.steeringcolumnservices.co...ic-rebuild.php
If you've a "factory service manual" I'd suggest passing that on to them but I'm guessing you don't so the expense of the "how to" is minor. It obviously needs to come apart again so I'd think it good to only have to do it "one more time". Anything that they find broken or missing SCS would have available.
This is what I believe is likely installed incorrectly and it should be covered in their instructions.
http://www.steeringcolumnservices.co...opic-wedge.php
http://www.steeringcolumnservices.co...ic-rebuild.php
If you've a "factory service manual" I'd suggest passing that on to them but I'm guessing you don't so the expense of the "how to" is minor. It obviously needs to come apart again so I'd think it good to only have to do it "one more time". Anything that they find broken or missing SCS would have available.
This is what I believe is likely installed incorrectly and it should be covered in their instructions.
http://www.steeringcolumnservices.co...opic-wedge.php
Last edited by WVZR-1; Apr 16, 2013 at 01:25 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,324
Likes: 250
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
I'll add my 86 info
http://dankai.shawwebspace.ca/asset/...ing_column.pdf
Never been past the horn, so it's all I can offer.
http://dankai.shawwebspace.ca/asset/...ing_column.pdf
Never been past the horn, so it's all I can offer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
I pulled the wheel off my '85 right after I got it but that was 13 years ago. What I remember is that I got the wheel off with no problem but could not get it back on because the shaft kept pulling out of the column when I was trying to compress the spring. I finally looked at a better wheel puller/installer and the only difference between it and mine was a 1 inch long 5/16 allen set screw which had to be threaded into the center of the shaft to lock it in place, then once the wheel is back on you remove the set screw and put it all back together. Mine worked great when I got done. So while I can't remember what is in there I can tell you that somewhere in the area I described is your problem. Maybe they left the set screw in there but I don't think the wheel would go back together or, they somehow managed to get the wheel back on without the set screw and now the center is in the wrong position to engage the slide lock. I'll check my fsm later today & see if I can find something for you, in the mean time, if you don't need the car, pull the wheel back off, you're going to have to anyway.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Mandeville Louisiana
I agree with Midnight. I recently replaced an ignition lock and steering wheel on an 84. The "wedge" can be missing(I doubt it). Replace and tighten the large star bolt in the center of the telescoping steering column(without the steering wheel). if the column is tight, the wedge is in place. if not remove by pulling straight up. There are only 3 parts. The telescoping column, shaft and the wedge. The steering column has to be tight or you cannot install the steering wheel.
Let me know how this works and we can go from here.
Good Luck,
John
Let me know how this works and we can go from here.
Good Luck,
John
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 22
Likes: 6
You guys are awesome, got her figured out! I got there and had him read ur posts and that got us to brain storming about the machanics of how the tele-column could lock with just a screw in the middle and it hit us. It has to push a rod or something in the middle of the shaft into the little cam/wedge at the bottom! Sure enough, it was never noticed that the shaft was completely hollow. The center "push rod" had fallen out during disassembly and went unnoticed. Was on the passenger floor board lol. It's all back together and works perfectly. Everyone got to learn something new on this one so it's all good.
Moral of the story...There is indeed "4" parts. The telescoping column, shaft, wedge AND the push rod in the center of the shaft. Thanks again for the help guys! Hope this helps others who find themselves in my shoes down the road.
Moral of the story...There is indeed "4" parts. The telescoping column, shaft, wedge AND the push rod in the center of the shaft. Thanks again for the help guys! Hope this helps others who find themselves in my shoes down the road.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Thank you for posting the fix for others to see. Way too many people use the advice then disappear until they need help again. To me, that is just low class ignorance.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Hi there! I am having this problem also but I have the rod and the little ball bearing that sits on top of it. I guess I might be missing the 'wedge" because I don't see anything in the that resembles one. Where does it sit? I have the "star" bolt, the two small screws that go on the side of it, the lever itself and the rod and ball bearing.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Ok I see this might be the "wedge" but where does it go? Anyone? Thanks!
http://www.steeringcolumnservices.co...opic-wedge.php
http://www.steeringcolumnservices.co...opic-wedge.php
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,396
Likes: 2,741
Here is a link with an image that can be "zoomed" and it should be obvious even to the novice where the wedge is placed in the shaft:
http://www.steeringcolumnservices.co...telescopic.php
http://www.steeringcolumnservices.co...telescopic.php