Need Advice from Experienced Tele Column Guru

[ernie d]

I just bought a used tilt/tele column off E-Bay, and am planning to do some rebuild on it to tighten it up. Unfortunately, I am able to easily pull out the upper shaft by hand (it is not supposed to pull out - to remove the lock plate retaining clip, you need the upper shaft to stay in place). ad

When I pull the shaft out, there IS the upper shaft locking wedge in place, BUT there is no Upper Shaft Locking Wedge "Bumper" at all. Does anyone know what this locking wedge "bumper" does and is that what I need to really lock the upper shaft in place?

For reference, you can see these in Dr. Rebuild exploded view on p158 of 2005 catalog. Upper shaft is P/N SS, Locking Wedge is P/N TT. Locking wedge bumper (don't have) is P/N UU.

Thanks!!!
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[KinleyDog]

there's lots of good white papers on steering at

www.corvettefaq.com

click on the link to jim shea's papers

good luck

 

[Stingray6974]

Ernie,
The clip that holds the lock retainer plate on is the "bumper" you are refering to. Get a bolt that will screw into the upper shaft to lock it in place and then use your lockplate remover. Since the shaft comes out with the clip still in place then someone has installed the clip backwards. When you get it off you will see one side is wider then the other.
Mike

 

[ernie d]

Mike,

Do you have a sketch or picture of the correct orientation for the locking wedge and the bumper?

THANKS!

Ernie
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[Goob]

I have gotten the lock plate retaining clip off by taking two screw drivers, on opposits sides of the Shaft Lock Plate and pushing down hard. This somtimes will give you enough play to get the retaining clip off. You might need a third hand though.

Anouther thing you might try too, is to remove the upper shaft. Then place a flate piece of metal on top of the upper steering column shaft (a 50 cent piece might be big enough). Then use the lockplate remover.

The bumper goes into the slot closest to the treaded end. It will only fit in the slot two ways. Play with it and you can get it right.

 

[Stingray6974]

Ernie,
I'll to get some pics for you.
Mike