'68 telescoping steering column

[Dave F.]

When I loosened the collar to move my steering wheel in or out, I discovered that I can totally remove the steering wheel, a theft-prevention feature that I think was not originally intended by Chevrolet and I fear something more significant could happen down the road while driving....

Can these columns be rebuilt or do I need to replace it?

[Jack H.]

Re: '68 telescoping steering column

Sounds like you're missing column internal parts! Yes, the columns can be rebuilt. The Dr. Rebuild catalog has a nice exploded view of the various columns which is a handy in addition to the information given in the Chassis Service and Chassis Overhaul Manuals...

[Dave F.]

Re: '68 telescoping steering column

Ah, Dr. Rebuild! Thank you Jack- your quick reply is much appreciated. And I'll drag out my service/repair manual (forgot that I had one) for parts identification when I put the column on my bench.

[Mike M.]

Re: '68 telescoping steering column

Page Campbell, a frequent poster on this board, rebuilds the tele cols if you want to send it out.mike

[Dave F.]

Re: '68 telescoping steering column

Thanks Mike. I sent an email to him; sending it out is a better use of my time since I have lots of other things to pull together on this car. I do want to drive it next spring.

[Jim S.]

Re: '68 telescoping steering column

There is a rectangular part called a bumper that is strapped to the outside of the steering column. It is on top of the column jacket just forward (toward the steering wheel) of the big mounting bracket. The bumper sits in a cutout in the outer jacket. There is a crimped strap that holds the bumper in place in the cutout.

The bumper sticks through the outer jacket and the inner telescoping tube has a long depression that the bumper slides in. The ends of the depression restrict the telescoping travel of the inner tube. The bumper must be missing from your steering column.

There should also be a pin that is pressed into the upper steering shaft that should also prevent the solid upper shaft from telescoping completely out of the tubular lower shaft. This pin must be missing as well!

Bubba has been working on your steering column. It certainly is not safe in its current condition even though you most likely have to pull the steering wheel and steering shaft a considerable distance to disengage the steering.

Now the bad news. I don't know where you will find a replacement bumper. I would think that you can cobble a replacement pin.

Jim

[Dave F.]

Re: '68 telescoping steering column

Jim,

You're correct in that I do have to pull the wheel and shaft a considerable distance to remove it; more than I would ever do under driving conditions. It's just unnerving that I can do it so easily but only after I unlock the ring for telescoping.
The service manual exploded view shows two bumpers, plus one key and strap but doesn't say anything about the restrictor pin (unless I totally missed that info and I just went through the section again looking just for that). Your sketch gives me a better understanding of how it should be - thanks for posting it. From what document did it originate?

Thanks again,
Dave

[Jim S.]

Re: '68 telescoping steering column

The posted drawing is a portion of the actual Saginaw steering column assembly drawing. I am sure that the pin is a redundant, fail-safe mechanism.

Jim