Tilt/Tele Restoration

[Kenn S.]

After reading a bit and researching, my column has a bad "shoe" that allows the wheel to be pulled downward and to the right when the tilt is locked. I'd removed all of the forward components so I could replace the cruise/turn lever and have the ignition cylinder restored, but getting deep into the guts is clearly way beyond my experience level with them, even having done this much.

If you were going to send your column out for repairs, who would you recommend? A Google search shows a couple of places, but I thought I'd ask everyone here to see if they'd had work done, or at least know someone reputable. I have many parts, including new parts, for the front end of it, but I'd like it cleaned up, repainted, and the mechanicals reconditioned on the inside.

[Larry M.]

Re: Tilt/Tele Restoration

After reading a bit and researching, my column has a bad "shoe" that allows the wheel to be pulled downward and to the right when the tilt is locked. I'd removed all of the forward components so I could replace the cruise/turn lever and have the ignition cylinder restored, but getting deep into the guts is clearly way beyond my experience level with them, even having done this much.

If you were going to send your column out for repairs, who would you recommend? A Google search shows a couple of places, but I thought I'd ask everyone here to see if they'd had work done, or at least know someone reputable. I have many parts, including new parts, for the front end of it, but I'd like it cleaned up, repainted, and the mechanicals reconditioned on the inside.

Kenn:

See Page 14 of the latest (Sept-Oct 2015) NCRS Driveline.

Larry

[Kenn S.]

Re: Tilt/Tele Restoration

Thanks, Larry... I'd seen that, but he specializes in '63 to '68. I can call and ask the question, for sure (I have an '80 I'm looking to repair).

The one question I'd have aside from the obvious one is if this needs parts can he obtain them, like it has a cracked turn signal housing, not something you'd see on a '68. I'll call and report back what I find.

[Kenn S.]

Re: Tilt/Tele Restoration

In fact, yes, he only does '63 to '68. He said he might consider expanding in the future, but not at present...

Still, worth a call.

[Kenn S.]

Re: Tilt/Tele Restoration

Well, just in case anyone trips over this in a search, the two places I know of are Dynamic Corvettes and Corvette Columns:

http://www.dynamiccorvettes.com/dynamic-corvettes-does-tilttele-steering-column-restoration-only-495-00/

http://www.corvettecolumns.com/

They both seemed knowledgeable on the phone, but I'll probably go with Corvette Columns. He's a one-man shop, seemed more like a craftsman than a larger shop. His costs were less as well. I'll bag and tag everything, send it off, and when I get it back I'll try to report what I received.

[Bob P.]

Re: Tilt/Tele Restoration

I'm looking to get my steering column rebuild and wondered how yours turned out?

[Mark E.]

Re: Tilt/Tele Restoration

I'm interested in referrals for tilt/tele repair also.

[Kenn S.]

Re: Tilt/Tele Restoration

I'm embarrassed to say I never did send it to anyone. I'm most concerned that everyone I spoke to shoots paint on the column. But clearly that paint is baked enamel. So it's sat for the while.

Having said that, my car is back on the frame and painted, so I'm going to have to get off my butt and do something. I had the most confidence talking to Larry at Corvette Columns (http://corvettecolumns.com/). I'll package my gear up and send it to him. He'll paint it, of course, and that's just probably something I'll have to live with. I'm hopeful it'll look correct, but even more hopeful it'll stand up to driving wear and tear (I'll drive this car).

Hope that's somewhat helpful.

[Mark E.]

Re: Tilt/Tele Restoration

[QUOTE=Kenn Scribner. I'm most concerned that everyone I spoke to shoots paint on the column. But clearly that paint is baked enamel.[/QUOTE]

I thought the factory sprayed columns after assembly, with the lock masked. This means baking would not be feasible.

I've seen some seemingly original columns with thin paint coverage and overspray along the lock's inside surface against the housing. So the biggest concern is probably a restored column that looks too nice.

[Kenn S.]

Re: Tilt/Tele Restoration

If I'm wrong, I'd be delighted to be wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.

I'll inspect the lock housing to see if I see any overspray. I'm not that picky about this particular column since it's a 1980. I'd be more concerned about paint not holding up. But I have a couple of '70 cars that I would be picky about, so might could be you taught me something, and thank you.

[Michael M.]

Re: Tilt/Tele Restoration

These column's are very easy to work on. You need a special tool to remove the tilt housing. The problem you state sounds like the tilt housing needs to be replaced or the rivets on each side of the tilt housing are loose. The exterior of the housing was sprayed with lacquer mixed with a flex agent when the column was fully assembled except the steering wheel.