TheVin

I just recently picked up my 75 coupe, I haven'e had time to get into the column yet. The guy that I bought it from said he had tichtend up the bolts inside it but they have come loose--wheel moves side to side,,what should I be looking for when I open her up? And I think I have seen that there are bearing kits for the tele-columns----any advice would help thanks,,
Vince

Monkeywrench

A headache :lol:

I just finished rebuilding mine. It's not a difficult job but it's a lot of work. To get at all of the bearings (there are 2 in the upper part of the column and one in the lower) the column needs to come out of the car and taken *almost* 100% apart.

Jim Shea has some great articles on this process on http://www.corvettefaq.com and I have a bunch of photo so fhte column in various states of disassembly that I can post if you want.

Mine did the same thing and now it's tight as a drum...

red_thunder

If the retainer clip ("C" clip) just above the locking plate (if it's the same as my '77), is loose or missing, this would make the steering column feel shaky as well. If this is the case, trying to re-install the clip requires brute force, as there is some space-age super spring under the locking plate.

Sean :cool:

Jim Shea

The Saginaw T&T column has an annoying tendency for four screws to loosen that hold the head of the steering column to the tubular part of the column. Unfortunately, you have to disassemble the entire head in order to get at the four screws. You will find that the job is far easier if you remove the steering column from the car in order to work on it. The good news is that I have three papers and a whole lot of supporting information and diagrams that can be downloaded that takes you through the disassembly and column removal procedures. They are a bit wordy, but they cover the whole thing.

Go to http://www.corvettefaq.com and look under Steering. Download the following:
Tilt & Telescoping 69-75 Steering Wheel and Horn Parts
Tilt & Telescoping Column 69-82 Blowup Pic
Tilt & Telescoping Column 69-82 Disassembly & Repair Paper #1, #2, & #3
Tilt & Telescoping Column 69-82 Disassembly & Repair Pics #1, #2, & #3
Tilt & Telescoping Column 69-82 Installation Pics

I know the above is a lot of literature, but it takes you completely through the procedures, step by step.

Also, don't forget that additional help is only an eMail or a posting away.

Good luck,

72GACRZR

You should look for Jim Shea. :lol: :lol:

Twin_Turbo

The horror.. I pulled my steering column apart and then I didn't know of those awesome papers by Jim. What a nightmare. I tightened those 4 bolts but they are somewhat loose again. I should have used some loctite on them. Maybe I'll pull mine apart again, it's removed from the car anyway. Jim's papers are a big help, they are far superior to the crappy write up in the haynes (and there was an error in the haynes too, there's acap holding a spring behind it in the column and the haynes manual said to turn it one side.. well..it should be the other way around from what they say)

Good luck with the column :)

TheVin

Thanks for the info my printer will be busy,,,

Thank you, Vince

red_thunder

If all fails a steering column rebuild by a professional is around $250.00.