'54 Steering column

[Kip]

The body is coming off dad's '54 this weekend. Does anyone out there have any ideas as to how the steering column comes out?

It looks like it should slide out through the rad opening but you can't raise the steering box end up far enough to clear the inner fender because the column binds on the bottom of the hole in the dash. Does the outer tube come off first? Please don't tell me that GM put the steering column into the body before they mounted it to the frame. For something that should be ridiculously simple this one task is not! Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks, Kip

 

[ChuckG]

Yes, the steering column was in the body when it was put on in 53 and 54. I don't know how you can get it out otherwise. If you're lifting the body, just remove it when you do the body lift. Just remember when you put the body back on, don't forget the column. In 55-57, there is a removable "plate" above the column on the firewall which can be removed, allowing you to remove the column.

I've been TOLD, that if you drop the front crossmember, you can remove the column from the bottom. Never tried it, don't know anyone who has done this. Chuck

 

[JohnZ]

The steering gear/column assembly was installed in the body prior to body drop for all years from '53-'62; it got a little easier to remove in '58 when the lower instrument panel reinforcement got a removable section that retained the column. Pre-'58 cars are a bear to get the column out of with the body on and the engine in place.

 

[Kip]

Thanks John,
That wasn't really the answer I was hoping to hear but at least I know that it's not my fault. I gather that it will come out easily after the body/steering column is lifted off the car? Please say yes!

 

[JohnZ]

Yup, once the body is off, with the column/gear hanging out, just remove the steering wheel, turn signal switch and wiring, and the upper bowl from the column, loosen the clamp at the bottom of the instrument panel, and pull it out from the engine compartment side.

 

[MZ54Corvette]

This is one of the worst jobs associated with restoring an early Vette. The only way to get the column out is to have the body off the frame. With the steering wheel off and the support under the dash removed, you have to pull on the inside of the drivers side fender well towards the outside of the car far enough to pull the column down through the front left side of the body. I watched it done and you would swear that you're going to break the inside of the engine compartment fender well but it doesn't. It takes almost a foot of movement towards the outside of the fender well to get enough room to slide the column out. You better rebuild the steering box and everything you want to do to the column while its out, because it has to go back in the same way, and you only want to do this job once. Just be careful while pulling on the inner fender well, but it will move and it will provide enough space to get the column out. Any more questions or if you want more info, let me know and I can get you a phone number of a guy that has done it several times and can walk you through it in more detail.

Good Luck !!!!!!