69 Steering Column Bolts - Ignition Switch

[Pat K.]

Just put my left dash back in and once I tightened up the steering column bolts the ignition switch got very hard to turn. As I gradually loosen the steering column bolts the ignition switch gets easier. I was considering shimming the bolts to get around the problem.

Anybody know what's going on here?

Thanks,

Pat

[Edward J.]

Re: 69 Steering Column Bolts - Ignition Switch

Pat is there something lodged between the the bracket and column that might be causing the ing.switch rod to bind, wiring harness, vaccum hose, there quite abit under column that get in the way when puting back up. if all was okay before you took apart then theres something along those lines.

[Jim S.]

Re: 69 Steering Column Bolts - Ignition Switch

Are you by any chance bending the steering column as you drive the vertical bolts that hold it up into the dash? You need to have the lower nuts and bolts loose on the lower end of the column as you snug up the vertical bolts. Then check and recheck that the steering column shaft and steering gear shaft are aligned before tightening everything to spec.

There is an extensive procedure outlined in the in the AIM that explains this procedure.

Jim