Steering column correct orientation
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 272
Likes: 23
From: McKinney TX
Steering column correct orientation
I put my steering column back in after a dash rebuild and I must not have aligned it right. With the car going straight the steering wheel was upside down. The detents that turn off the blinker were not working properly. So I'm trying to remove and reinsert it into the flange joint collar. I expected that when I removed it the steering column would only travel so far one way or another, but actually it free spins in either direction. I've looked in old posts but can't find anything on this. Unfortunately I didn't mark it when I originally removed it from the column. Is there any indication on how this should go back in so the blinker detents work again?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
What year? How much of the column did you apart? With a tilt column it is possible to install the top sub in upside down. Usually you can't install steering shaft 180* out on intermediate shaft and install bolt.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 272
Likes: 23
From: McKinney TX
I took the column out as a whole and didn't disassemble it. It was just out so I could work remove the dash. It's a 69 (not sure early or late, somewhere in the middle). Standard column. No tilt/tele.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 272
Likes: 23
From: McKinney TX
Trouble is I had the steering wheel off at one point and can't be certain which way is "up" at this point. If there's something I can look at under the steering wheel, maybe that will tell me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
There is a stake mark at 12 o'clock of shaft. There should be a line at 12 o'clock of steering wheel hub. The cancelling cam horn contact only goes through one place on steering wheel.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
The wheel being "upside down when going straight", combined with the signal cancel not working, tells us that the wheel-to-column is probably right (or close) and that you likely installed the column to shaft under the hood, 180* out.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 272
Likes: 23
From: McKinney TX
I think I figured it out. Under the horn cover, there's a line on the shaft that also matches up with a flat spot at the bottom of the shaft next to the rag joint. I'm surprised I didn't notice that before, but it seems that will fix it. I'll get it back together and test it out. Having the blinker cancel again will be very nice. 
