Steering column on a 66

[IH2LOSE]

So I collected the parts I think I need to rebuild my steering column. I thought there was a post on this last year or the year before and thats where I got my material list from.

Any ways I plan on rebuilding the steering column this week end and just looking for any advice you may want to share.

 

[Tampa Jerry]

Steering

I did my 66 a few weeks ago after powder coating most parts. The rebuild is pretty straight forward. There is a procedure for putting it back in the car which must be followed. I remember reading a post by John Z about it. Even though I rebuilt my column, I have yet to put it in my car. Jerry

 

[DZVette]

IH2LOSE
You may have picked this up over at the "other place".

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1336985


Project is pretty straight forward (if that can be said about any of these jobs on our cars).

DZ

 

[Tampa Jerry]

Steering

Yes, that is the post I was thinking about. It was a great help to me. I just got my Z's mixed up. Sorry. Jerry

 

[IH2LOSE]

Thank you so much! I will let you guys know the outcome I plan on doing this on sunday

 

[magicv8]

Yeah - nobody makes documentation like DZ

 

[JohnZ]

Yup, Dave (Zuberer) does a terrific job annotating photos with text - really makes DIY projects a "look-and-do-it" proposition! I have yet to find a "simple" software package to do that (which shows how "simple" I am)

 

[DZVette]

Thanks guys. Now I'm blushing! Appreciate the kudos. Appreciate even more all the help you guys have given to me and the friendship that has grown out of it!

Dave Z

 

[IH2LOSE]

Well I got my column out and it was tore up.

I will post some photos tonight. My original problem was I could wiggle the steering wheel side to side.

What I found was the entire end of the column housing was gone where the signal housing mounts.

after I removed the steering shaft from the column jacket I found the steering shaft had been welded and poorly machined in the area the lower bearing rests.

So I need to replace the shaft as my lathe is not long enough to for me to re-weld then re-machine it.

So for now I have to order a new steering shaft but I do have some questions.

How do I know where to set the new shaft do I just remount every thing and let the steering wheel position set the shaft and then tighten down rag joint to hold it in place.


Next the turn signal housing has a recess in it for a screw or a bolt to go thru it but there was nothing in it when I started to disassemble it nor did I find something for it to screw to

Also what position should the recess on the steering column sit mine was at 9 o clock with nothing attached to it
I am also trying to repaint

the steering hub
the signal housing
the escution

I cleaned them up in my blast cabinet, Wiped them down with denatured alcohol then primed with east woods self etching primer "dry coats" and its fish eyeing on me . Every thing from my interior I have ever tried to repaint fish eye's

 

[IH2LOSE]

Also what hold the upper bearing in place I did not find any thing to retain it in the turn switch

 

[DZVette]

Larry

Sounds like you are going to need a new mast jacket as well as the shaft. Here are some pics that should answer your questions.

JohnZ indicates that the index marks are all supposed to be at 12:00. Alignment shops frequently take short cuts like you see in the picture of the marks from my 65.

If I have neglected something here, don't hesitate to jump in fellow forum members!

Hope these help.

DZ

 

[IH2LOSE]

Larry

Sounds like you are going to need a new mast jacket
DZ

Thanks again

For some reason I had allready ordered and had a new jacket. I will post some photos tonight when I get a free minute.

 

[IH2LOSE]

This is what I found when I removed the blinker housing

This is what the steering shaft looked like

 

[JohnZ]

I know it's a hard habit to break, but the (very typical) broken/mangled tabs on the jacket are the result of using the steering wheel as a hand-hold to get in and out of the car. I have to remind myself every time NOT to do that.

 

[IH2LOSE]

I know it's a hard habit to break, but the (very typical) broken/mangled tabs on the jacket are the result of using the steering wheel as a hand-hold to get in and out of the car. I have to remind myself every time NOT to do that.

John I honestly think I tore it up by power shifting the car.

HA HA

I know the prior owner of my car was a biggen as the seat was completey flattened.As I re checked the column mast I can see some body had treid to weld it in the past.

Yup you are correct should not use the steering wheel as a handle to get in and out of the car.

 

[IH2LOSE]

Well I have the column back in

New column jacket
New steering shaft,
new upper bearing
new lower bearing

But I still have movement,as a matter of fact it feels like the same movement I had prior to replacing every thing

I can move the steering wheel from like 4 o'clock to 11 o'clock about a 1/8" to a 1/4" (not rotational movement but a vertily movement that you see the blinker housing moving )What could I have done wrong or is this normal movement's seams as though the upper bearing is allowing the movement

I loaned out my steering wheel puller so I have to take it back apart tomorrow. I have to tell you you pictures helped a lot

I also took the time to replace my worn clutch pedal and replace the bushing in the brake and clutch pedal assembly