1967 Steering Column Plastic Sleeve over Mesh (Mast Jacket)

[Richard M.]

I've looked and looked....no luck. Are the plastic sleeves available anywhere for a '67 standard steering column / mast jacket? The part covers the mesh, and seeing one on another '67 shows it's very thin plastic. I need to remove the mast to repair, replace with new bearings, etc & restore. It's the early '67 column.

Rich

[Keith G.]

Re: 1967 Steering Column Plastic Sleeve over Mesh (Mast Jacket)

I had the same problem, no one repos them. Went to some junk yards, now I have 2 extra, you can email me.

[Ray G.]

Re: 1967 Steering Column Plastic Sleeve over Mesh (Mast Jacket)

I had the same problem, no one repos them. Went to some junk yards, now I have 2 extra, you can email me.

Hello Keith;
Are these lower column covers the same as other GM?
Thanks.
Ray

[Keith G.]

Re: 1967 Steering Column Plastic Sleeve over Mesh (Mast Jacket)

No, Dodge makes some that are. Good luck.

[Brian M.]

Re: 1967 Steering Column Plastic Sleeve over Mesh (Mast Jacket)

There's a clip on the steering column harness connection that should be cliped to the brake support, it looks like it's swinging free.

I've looked and looked....no luck. Are the plastic sleeves available anywhere for a '67 standard steering column / mast jacket? The part covers the mesh, and seeing one on another '67 shows it's very thin plastic. I need to remove the mast to repair, replace with new bearings, etc & restore. It's the early '67 column.

Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Steering Column Plastic Sleeve over Mesh (Mast Jacket)

I had the same problem, no one repos them. Went to some junk yards, now I have 2 extra, you can email me.

PM on the way.....Thnx!

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Steering Column Plastic Sleeve over Mesh (Mast Jacket)

There's a clip on the steering column harness connection that should be cliped to the brake support, it looks like it's swinging free.

Brian, good eye, it was clipped where it was supposed to be. I pulled it down when I was in there playing around with the clutch & brake pedals..........

Did you notice the break in the mast jacket mesh? I'm pulling the entire column next week to repair that and replace bearings etc.

Rich

[Scott S.]

Re: 1967 Steering Column Plastic Sleeve over Mesh (Mast Jacket)

I need to remove the mast to repair, replace with new bearings, etc & restore. It's the early '67 column.

Rich

Hi Rich,

I have the early '67 steering column also, it still has the 1st design column assembly P/N sticker "TO 569 8346". Have you decided what to do about the lower bearing? Paragon and Corvette Steering (and maybe others) modify a later lower bearing to work on the early '67 column. In previous discussions it has also been suggested that it may be possible to essentially "convert" the early '67 steering column to the second-design style and then use the later column lower bearing set-up (without modification), sort of a DIY re-call/retrofit, but the last time I looked at the problem it didn't seem like that would work.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Steering Column Plastic Sleeve over Mesh (Mast Jacket)

Scott, This is my first '67 steering column repair attempt so I'll let you know how it goes. I've done early C2's & C1's but not one of these. When I get it apart I'll see what I need, and hopefully will be able to get it corrected. As usual,, I'll be taking lots of pictures and will update on the progress here.

My main concern is the break in the collapse mesh. Obviously in the past there was some form of mishap. I need to perform a proper repair. I don't think it's a good idea to arc-weld this. I'm thinking of using silver bronze welding rod to re-attach it at the connect points. This way it would collapse properly in the event of a future mishap.

Any opinions or guidance would be welcomed.

Rich

[Jim S.]

Re: 1967 Steering Column Plastic Sleeve over Mesh (Mast Jacket)

Those first generation (67-68) mesh energy absorbing steering columns were very "whimpy" in bending. That is why those columns required very large three and four aluminum capsule mounting brackets to provide some steering wheel stability.

With the introduction of the ignition lock cylinder and locking mechanism in the column head in 1969, it was determined that a new stiffer design, energy absorbing mast jacket was needed. Saginaw invented the second generation "Ball Energy Absorbing" steering column mast jacket. Rather than deforming the metal jacket as shown below, a number of ball bearings were pressed into the junction of the larger upper jacket and the smaller diameter lower jacket. As the two jackets telescoped on themselves, the ball bearings plowed grooves into the jacket material, and thus absorbed energy.


You may note that all GM steering columns starting in 1969 were able to utilize a much smaller, lighter, two capsule mounting bracket with the Ball EA jacket.

Now after that piece of history, I would guess that what your photo is showing is metal fatigue in the first generation mast jacket cutouts.

Jim

[Brian M.]

Re: 1967 Steering Column Plastic Sleeve over Mesh (Mast Jacket)

I did notice that, any evidence that it took a punch in the nose?

Brian, good eye, it was clipped where it was supposed to be. I pulled it down when I was in there playing around with the clutch & brake pedals..........

Did you notice the break in the mast jacket mesh? I'm pulling the entire column next week to repair that and replace bearings etc.

Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Steering Column Plastic Sleeve over Mesh (Mast Jacket)

I did notice that, any evidence that it took a punch in the nose?

Yes there was some FE damage around 1980 according to the "nearly" original owner when I spoke to him. He bought it in '68. It was a relatively light hit up front when something backed into the car with no one in it. That is not what caused the mask jacket issue though. I have the whole story but too long here. Someday I may write a Restorer Article about the cars' history......it's on the "to-do" list. For now there's a little early history on the DIS DB......Here.

Rich
p.s. other info on the car details Here as well.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Steering Column Plastic Sleeve over Mesh (Mast Jacket)

Jim, Thanks much for this info. I actually searched before I posted this thread and found your past posts and websites with the very useful info. I'll let you know how this goes next week.

It's all great info and thank you for sharing it.

Rich

[Scott S.]

Re: 1967 Steering Column Plastic Sleeve over Mesh (Mast Jacket)

Scott, This is my first '67 steering column repair attempt so I'll let you know how it goes. I've done early C2's & C1's but not one of these. When I get it apart I'll see what I need, and hopefully will be able to get it corrected. As usual,, I'll be taking lots of pictures and will update on the progress here.

Thanks Rich, that's great news. If you could post pictures and update progress when time allows, that would be very interesting and helpful

[Jim S.]

Re: 1967 Steering Column Plastic Sleeve over Mesh (Mast Jacket)

Scott,
Do you have a standard (non-adjustable) or a telescoping column? I couldn't determine from your postings.

I have some Disassembly & Repair Instruction papers that you can download. Here are both telescoping and standard D&R Papers #1 & #2
Telescoping

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/67-68-corvette-tele-strg-column-dr_1-rev23ja2009.pdf

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/67-68-telescoping-column-dr_2-rev-23ja2009.pdf

Standard

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/67-68-corvette-std-strg-column-dr_1rev07se2009.pdf

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/67-68corvettestdstrgcolumndr_2rev23ja2009.pdf

Jim