81 Steering Column - how to tighten it up
#1
Le Mans Master
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81 Steering Column - how to tighten it up
I need to tighten the 4 bolts that hold the silly thing together.
I've gotten it town down to the turn signal switch but can't seem to make any headway from here.
How the heck do i get to them damn bolts?
HELP please
I've gotten it town down to the turn signal switch but can't seem to make any headway from here.
How the heck do i get to them damn bolts?
HELP please
#2
Melting Slicks
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if and when you get there, you will only be able to reach and tighten 3 if them.
it's better to have someone who knows do it. It only cost me 185.00 to get it done once it was out of the car.
it's better to have someone who knows do it. It only cost me 185.00 to get it done once it was out of the car.
#3
Le Mans Master
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Originally Posted by luerja
if and when you get there, you will only be able to reach and tighten 3 if them.
it's better to have someone who knows do it. It only cost me 185.00 to get it done once it was out of the car.
it's better to have someone who knows do it. It only cost me 185.00 to get it done once it was out of the car.
i'm bout ready to pull the entire column and take it someplace.
that be removing the two bolts that hold the column to the dash, two bolts at the fire wall, and that little "rag joint?" just before the gear box???
this friggen sucks
#5
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got me, i've heard its a fairly common problem on these cars
anyways, i got past the turn signal crap and took out the lock assembly, then pulled the cover
i'm almost to em but am now hit anouther snag
______
the tilt assembly pulled away from the point of contact for the bolts by a good couple of inchs. this caused the rod for the ignition to disengage from the key actuator.
i've also look to be in need of bearings, particuarly on the lower side. I can see 4 bearings laying on the tilt spring.
so the entire tilt assembly is going to have to come off to get to the bearings.
this sucks
anyways, i got past the turn signal crap and took out the lock assembly, then pulled the cover
i'm almost to em but am now hit anouther snag
______
the tilt assembly pulled away from the point of contact for the bolts by a good couple of inchs. this caused the rod for the ignition to disengage from the key actuator.
i've also look to be in need of bearings, particuarly on the lower side. I can see 4 bearings laying on the tilt spring.
so the entire tilt assembly is going to have to come off to get to the bearings.
this sucks
#6
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The following are links to instructions and pictures on how to disassemble and tighten those four screws. It isn't particularly easy, but the instructions are quite complete.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/T&TColumnD&R102JN05.doc
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/T&TColumnD&R226NO04.doc
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/T&TColumnD&R306AP05.doc
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/T&TDis...age122MY05.doc
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/T&TDisasmPage2.doc
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/T&TDisasmInstrPage3.doc
Good luck,
Jim Shea
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/T&TColumnD&R102JN05.doc
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/T&TColumnD&R226NO04.doc
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/T&TColumnD&R306AP05.doc
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/T&TDis...age122MY05.doc
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/T&TDisasmPage2.doc
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/T&TDisasmInstrPage3.doc
Good luck,
Jim Shea
#7
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Just got done doing the same job on my '69. There is a kit you can buy that has the bearings and the wear parts included. Took 3 or 4 hours to do, and only minimal hand tools. The biggest improvment was tightening the four bolts way inside. Don't forget to lock-tite them.
#9
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Just remember that a Saginaw T&T steering column is just a glorified Saginaw tilt column. So the instructions on disassembly and repair of a C3 T&T column are about 95% correct for a tilt column from that same era.
If you want a more accurate tilt column D&R description. You can find it at the following location:
www.corvettefaq.com/A-car.asp
Jim
If you want a more accurate tilt column D&R description. You can find it at the following location:
www.corvettefaq.com/A-car.asp
Jim
#10
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done with teh silly thing other then the horn button area. i have an assembly manual coming.
i forget what order some of those top rings go in.
feels sooo much better now
i forget what order some of those top rings go in.
feels sooo much better now