loose steering column

[mcditalia]

Lucky,

I'm not sure how to correct your problem, but at least your in good company.
I did eventually get the steering wheel off, and discovered some bad news. Two of the ears on the steering mast tube were broken off, that's why the steering mast retainer was loose.

How complicated is it to remove and the replace the steering mast tube?

 

[LUCKY13]

loose steering

The entire column is not difficult to remove and reinstall. It's secured at the bottom at the steering box and beneath the dash.

 

[Charlie '64]

Do you have a GM Corvette shop manual? There is a pretty good description there. You have to loosen the bolt at the rag joint at the bottom of the column. Be sure to mark the rag joint and the grooved area at the bottom of the steering shaft so you can put it back together in the same location. Loosen the spring clamp at the bottom of the mast jacket and loosen the clamp at the firewall. Under the dash, loosen the u clamp, and take the screws out of the escutcheon. Unplug the curved electrical connection and the entire column should pull out through the dash. I bought a new mast jacket from long Island Corvette and was pleased with the quality, service and price (expensive as Vette parts are anyway). Be sure and check the wire harness on the turn signal switch and be sure no wires have been nicked or cut. Good luck!!

 

[mcditalia]

Charlie,

I only have a Chilton shop manual, and that doesn't cover replacing the mast tube. But I decided to give it a shot anyway. I was also thinking of ordering the replacement mast tube from LICS, and are glad to see someone else satisfied with their part, so I'll order from them.

I'm assuming that the steps you mentioned are in chronological order, so thats the way I'll try it.

I just have a vision of after putting it all back together, I'm driving on the Highway and lose a couple of crucial steering pieces that I didn't put back together right and crash into a ditch :W :cry