Welcome to the Corvette Forums at the Corvette Action Center!

Help! Steering Column - 1984

  • Thread starter Thread starter bartric
  • Start date Start date
B

bartric

Guest
I recently got a 1984 Corvette (please don't boo the Crossfire, as I kind of like it), and had to replace the key lock cylinder in it.

Now, putting the steering column back together, I can't get the metal spacer (part taken off before the spring, center shaft, and turn signal) to compress the spring far enough back to slide the metal clip in. I can't tell if I'm putting it back together wrong or not as I got an exploded view of the steering column and it appears I'm putting all the parts in correctly.

I'm kind of bewildered as what to try because in order to even get it close to putting in the pin, I have to put all of the force I can against the metal spacer, which, is ridiculous because it didn't take that much force to pull it off.

Help would be amazing, thanks.

Also, I'm wanting to build the engine to where it's output is roughly the same as the new C6 base model, 400 hp. I want to keep the Crossfire injection just because no one else likes it. I just want to know if anything can be done to it to make it better, performance wise. Any information about how to make the Crossfire better (without saying replace it). Also, what should I be looking for to reach my 400 hp destination as far as cam, crank, heads, etc. Thank you.
 
As a fairly new member, the best advise I can give is to get yourself a factory service manual...best investment you can make for her ;)

As far as the crossfire goes...I'm right there with 'ya. I'm suprised that there aren't more '84's out there that run stock TBI setups. They really are quite reliable and dependable when they're set up right.

There is the crossfire injection mine to check out on here as well.
 
As a fairly new member, the best advise I can give is to get yourself a factory service manual...best investment you can make for her ;)

As far as the crossfire goes...I'm right there with 'ya. I'm suprised that there aren't more '84's out there that run stock TBI setups. They really are quite reliable and dependable when they're set up right.

There is the crossfire injection mine to check out on here as well.

Speaking of my Crossfire... I know it's a crossfire injection system (which is basically two single barrel tbi with a few twists here and there), but did the '84 Corvettes with Crossfire say Throttle Body Injection on the side of the front fender, if not, something may be up with my car... lol.
 
It has been awhile since I had a wheel off , and never off a corvette . But the ones I have had off you just about need a tool to get that plate down far enough, I think the shafts moves down slightly with it when you push it down . The tool is reverse of a gear puller, pulls on the shaft pushes on the plate.

Glenn
:w
 
It has been awhile since I had a wheel off , and never off a corvette . But the ones I have had off you just about need a tool to get that plate down far enough, I think the shafts moves down slightly with it when you push it down . The tool is reverse of a gear puller, pulls on the shaft pushes on the plate.

Glenn
:w

I've been thinking I needed something of the sort, but I have no idea what it looks like nor do I have one, nor do I know where to get one. :/
 
Well, sadly, that did not work... as mine is a telescoping steering wheel, it just pulls out the center part instead of pushing back the lock plate.
 
Well, sadly, that did not work... as mine is a telescoping steering wheel, it just pulls out the center part instead of pushing back the lock plate.

I think they are all telescopic. Is the tool the correct one? the plate depresser is a U-shaped piece of flat steel with a long bolt thru the middle section that screws down between the forks. Not the typical puller/installer that has bolts in the outter edges of the puller tool.

I looked in the manual and saw no specific reference to reassembly of the telescopic shaft...its mentioned, but the assembly is pretty cut & dried according to the book, as if the telescope was not an issue.

Try to pre-load the shaft then set your plate depresser tool. I've done it about 20 yrs ago but I cannot remember the details. it seems like it was fairly aggrevating...


I DID see mention of a lock-pin in the lower sections for the telescopic section. I wonder if that is to lock the scoping section with a pin or bolt thru an access hole?
 
Well, sadly, that did not work... as mine is a telescoping steering wheel, it just pulls out the center part instead of pushing back the lock plate.

http://www.stolenandrecovered.com/tele2.pdf

:)

Basically, you lock the column by screwing a bolt with the same thread as the star screw into the center of the shaft. Take a bolt and round off the head so that it's smaller than the shaft on the Lock Plate Depressor and tighten it down with vice grips or similar tool (or slot it for a screwdriver as shown in the attached .pdf. Then, once you have the part in place, remove that temporary bolt and finish the installation using the star screw instead of your temporary bolt.
 
http://www.stolenandrecovered.com/tele2.pdf

:)

Basically, you lock the column by screwing a bolt with the same thread as the star screw into the center of the shaft. Take a bolt and round off the head so that it's smaller than the shaft on the Lock Plate Depressor and tighten it down with vice grips or similar tool (or slot it for a screwdriver as shown in the attached .pdf. Then, once you have the part in place, remove that temporary bolt and finish the installation using the star screw instead of your temporary bolt.

Exactly what I needed! Got the plate on today, now just got the easy stuff to do :) Thank you.
 

Corvette Forums

Not a member of the Corvette Action Center?  Join now!  It's free!

Help support the Corvette Action Center!

Supporting Vendors

Dealers:

MacMulkin Chevrolet - The Second Largest Corvette Dealer in the Country!

Advertise with the Corvette Action Center!

Double Your Chances!

Our Partners

Back
Top Bottom