67 Tele Steering Column Rebuild

[Patrick B.]

My column used to telescope but after years of sitting it seems to be stuck. It also needs a new turn signal switch and I want to replace the chrome parts and repaint the rest. I have read some of the treads on 67 columns, and now I wonder if complete disassembly is necessary or wise. Are correct bearings even available for the columns? If the wheel does not wobble can the existing bearings be reused after disassembly or is it better not to mess with them?

Any tips on how to free up the telescoping function?

[Keith B.]

Re: 67 Tele Steering Column Rebuild

What's not turning? Does the lock ring move? Is the star gear in good shape. The key way could be broken in side the two shafts. Not to many parts out there for 67 tele columns. So be carefull taking it apart. If you don't already have them Jim Shea has papers on the column that's more detailed then the service manual. I got my local dealer to print out a parts break down drawing of the column. But of coarse nothing was alvalible

[Patrick B.]

Re: 67 Tele Steering Column Rebuild

Everything turns like normal. I think the steering shafts are just stuck together.

[Keith B.]

Re: 67 Tele Steering Column Rebuild

Then I would spray some penetrating oil down there. Then when you can turn it I would pull it apart and polish them up

[Patrick B.]

Re: 67 Tele Steering Column Rebuild

It worked. After I had looked a pictures enough to see how the column lock worked, I put Kroil down the central rod hole and around the upper shaft behind the turn signal enclosure. I then tapped on the back of the turn signal enclosure with a rubber hammer and it started to freely telescope. I think a rough weld of the turn signal plate to the upper column tube caused it to hang up on the outer tube. Probably the rubber hammer was all that was necessary, but I had been reluctant to hammer on a thing with irreplaceable parts.

[Richard M.]

Re: 67 Tele Steering Column Rebuild

Patrick, save these links if you need to rebuild it in the future. Also embedded in these are links to the Jim Shea doucuments

Rich

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...189#post763189

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...838#post763838

[Patrick B.]

Re: 67 Tele Steering Column Rebuild

Rich --- I gather from your links that the correct lower bearing is not available unless one can find an NOS bearing. Is the upper bearing available? Does removing the lower bearing for inspection risk damaging a serviceable bearing?

[Richard M.]

Re: 67 Tele Steering Column Rebuild

Rich --- I gather from your links that the correct lower bearing is not available unless one can find an NOS bearing. Is the upper bearing available? Does removing the lower bearing for inspection risk damaging a serviceable bearing?

Patrick,

Correct, That Lower bearing is unavailable. Some vendors think they have the correct part, but wrong. For example, Paragon states they have it.....HERE


but look closely and you'll see needle bearings on the ID, not as originally configured, which will ride directly on the shaft. This was not the original design as you can see in my link photos. The GM part# is 7800407.

If you are a serious dilemma if yours is damaged, I have a usable original bearing which I removed from the car above I can send to you gratis, plus shipping. It was actually in decent shape but I opted to replace it with that NOS since I had the entire column apart.

The upper bearing is available and is the correct configuration, functionally, however to replace it requires some tedious work. If yours is still good, but a bit loose on it's OD to the housing, you can peen it tighter or qnother option is to drill and tap the housing perimeter and install Allen lock screws to regain tightness. I opted for the peening method on the one I did. Works fine to this day with lots of wheel turning.

If you have the column out you could get a feel for the bearing "free-ness" to be removed for inspection. In my experiences, most 50 year old C2's usually have a rust issue there. The one I did above was refreshingly fair.

Rich

[Patrick B.]

Re: 67 Tele Steering Column Rebuild

Rich --- Thanks for the information. You are confirming my feeling that I should leave the bearings alone. I removed the column as part of a body-off restoration. There wasn't any particular bearing issue. The tele was stuck (but now resolved), the turn signal switch had issues, and I wanted to replace some chome parts and paint others. Unless I notice a real bearing problem, I think my existing bearings will be OK.

By the way, the turn signal switch flat wire ribbon that slides through the wire guide was carefully wrapped with electrical tape in my car. Was yours also wrapped or was this a Bubba mod on mine?

[Richard M.]

Re: 67 Tele Steering Column Rebuild

Rich --- Thanks for the information. You are confirming my feeling that I should leave the bearings alone. I removed the column as part of a body-off restoration. There wasn't any particular bearing issue. The tele was stuck (but now resolved), the turn signal switch had issues, and I wanted to replace some chome parts and paint others. Unless I notice a real bearing problem, I think my existing bearings will be OK.

By the way, the turn signal switch flat wire ribbon that slides through the wire guide was carefully wrapped with electrical tape in my car. Was yours also wrapped or was this a Bubba mod on mine?

I'd say someone wrapped that, but not a bad idea as the wires rub every time it's telescoped. Some pics in this post.....

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...137#post763137

and also in there are pics of the way I tightened up the upper bearing in its housing.

Rich

[Keith B.]

Re: 67 Tele Steering Column Rebuild

The same upper barring and retainer was also used in a 67 Corvair standard column

[Mike M.]

Re: 67 Tele Steering Column Rebuild

pat: if u need parts or tech help, check with mac member page campbell whose been colin with tele columns for years. mike

[Patrick B.]

Re: 67 Tele Steering Column Rebuild

About 20 years ago I bought a "rare" discontinued bearing for 67 tele steering columns at Carlisle for the then princely sum of $40. I have been looking for it while asking questions in the post. Well, I finally found it. I had assumed it was the lower bearing and was going to install it even though I don't think the original bearing is too bad. Low and behold, it is too small to go over the lower steering shaft. I guess it must be either the upper bearing for a 67 or a lower bearing for a 66. It was in a baggy not a GM box with a number and it doesn't have any numbers that I noticed on the bearing itself.

At this point, I just want to clean the lower shaft and replace the turn signal switch and chrome parts.

Is the lower spacer retained by something other than the clamp? Mine does not seem loose at all. I am hesitant to apply much force since it seems to be made of grey plastic or dull alumimum. Any thoughts on removing it simply to aid cleaning?

[Richard M.]

Re: 67 Tele Steering Column Rebuild

About 20 years ago I bought a "rare" discontinued bearing for 67 tele steering columns at Carlisle for the then princely sum of $40. I have been looking for it while asking questions in the post. Well, I finally found it. I had assumed it was the lower bearing and was going to install it even though I don't think the original bearing is too bad. Low and behold, it is too small to go over the lower steering shaft. I guess it must be either the upper bearing for a 67 or a lower bearing for a 66. It was in a baggy not a GM box with a number and it doesn't have any numbers that I noticed on the bearing itself.

At this point, I just want to clean the lower shaft and replace the turn signal switch and chrome parts.

Is the lower spacer retained by something other than the clamp? Mine does not seem loose at all. I am hesitant to apply much force since it seems to be made of grey plastic or dull alumimum. Any thoughts on removing it simply to aid cleaning?

Patrick, Please post a photo of the "spacer". I'm not sure which part it is. The $40 bearing you bought may be for a early '67 standard column. Is there a Part# on that bag? Also post a photo if you can.

Rich

[Patrick B.]

Re: 67 Tele Steering Column Rebuild

Here is a pic of the spacer from an old thread. The spacer is also used on standard columns.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...olumn-assembly

It looks from this pic like it just slides over the shaft but I cannot move mine by hand or even a light grip of plyers. Was yours on tight?

I will not be able to go where the column is for about a week, but I will take a pic of the bearing then. It did not come with a GM box. It looks like the right bearing only smaller. Did an early 67 column use the same bearing as a 66?