C3 Steering Column Bracket/Shield Screws

[Craig C.]

I'ld like some help with a description of the 4 bolts (GM # 3928894 as listed in my 1969 AIM) that attach the steering shield to the steering bracket. I assume that these bolts have a square shoulder. Do they have a round head? Length? Thread type?

Thanks for the help.

Craig

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 Steering Column Bracket/Shield Screws

Craig-----


The bolts are a 5/16-18 X 7/8" carriage bolt (square shoulder, convex round
head). They are incorrectly shown in some references as being 7/16-18 which is a non-existent thread size. These bolts were of GM 280-M material grade (SAE grade 5---3 lines) and, from what I can tell, they were phosphate-finished. They included a locking insert and were used in conjunction with a flanged nut. They were discontinued in January, 1985.

You should be able to obtain replacements in any hardware store although you want to make sure they are at least SAE grade 5 bolts (many hardware store carriage bolts are not so-graded). Use these with Lock-Tite 242 and it will serve as well or better than the original locking inserts.

[Chuck S.]

Re: C3 Steering Column Bracket/Shield Screws

Yep, I finally found them in my notes, and everything is as Joe says. The AIM calls that part a "support".

Finish is dark gray phosphate; my late 70 bolts have a headstamp "RSC" with three radial lines. They have nuts, also finished dark gray phosphate, that I have code-named "FN"...not a hex nut (HN), not a lock nut (LN), not a castle nut (CN), but a...? (I have to write this stuff down.)