1978 TT Steering Column Help

[Joel T.]

Hi;

I'm working on a 1978 with the T&T steering column. I pulled the column out of the car and disassembled it in order to be able to do a decent job of repainting. I have it mostly back together.. I need to compress that spring which sits behind the turn signal canceling cam and steering wheel lock in order to get the retaining clip back in place... Are their any special tricks to get this done? If I use both hands I can compress the spring enough to see the retainer groves.. but without an extra pair of hands there is no way I can keep the spring compressed and insert the clip....

Thanks!

Joel

[Joel T.]

Re: 1978 TT Steering Column Help

Dave, Thanks.. Would you happen to have a manufacturer/part number? Thx, Joel

You need one of these. A cheap one can be obtained at your FLAPS or VatoZone for 12-15 bucks. Put the lock clip on the sleeve of the tool. Install all the stuff, then the tool, compress the plate and spring, slide the clip off the tool onto the shaft, and remove the tool and put it away.[ATTACH=CONFIG]41819[/ATTACH]

[Terry M.]

Re: 1978 TT Steering Column Help

I know Lysle markets one. I have seen it in a bubble pack in my FLAPS, and also on the table of tool sellers at several recent swap meets.

Consider an alternative. You need a third hand? Enlist the help of someone else in your household, or a fellow member of your NCRS Chapter.

I found OTC 7815 listed with a Google search on "steering lock compressor." Amazon has one listed as well as eBay. Let your keyboard do the walking.

[Joel T.]

Re: 1978 TT Steering Column Help

Thanks guys, I finally figured out that what we are talking about here is a "steering column lock plate tool".. Never heard of them before and never had need for one before given that my efforts were exclusively on C2's. Ordered one up from my local NAPA store, about ten bucks.... Certainly less hassle than trying to get my better half to lend a hand... probably cheaper too....

[Peter G.]

Re: 1978 TT Steering Column Help

Joel..are correct original parts to rebuild the tilt/tele steering column easily available?

Mine could use a rebuild.

[Joel T.]

Re: 1978 TT Steering Column Help

Peter, I did not take mine completely apart, only far enough so that I could paint all the pieces and have them come out well. You might pick up a copy of the latest Corvette Paragon C3 catalog.. I use them a lot. I was surprised by how many T&T parts they do carry, off hand probably what you need to do the rebuild (sans any special tools). In my case, this plastic retainer cover disintegrated when I pulled it out... a new one was like five bucks... I'll have the column all back together (just picked up the tool this afternoon) in a day or so. Hope this helps,
Joel

[Scott O.]

Re: 1978 TT Steering Column Help

You also need to install a set screw in the steering shaft to lock the telescoping feature.
search for Jim Shea here and Google he has some great info.
send me a PM with your number if you want and I wil try and give you some pointers
Scott

[Joel T.]

Re: 1978 TT Steering Column Help

Hi Scott;

I finally figured that out... I'm grinding down an allen head bolt from my Harley MC collection of nuts and bolts which the tool will slide over. I did find some information from Jim Shea a few days back.. Between his stuff and what I have found in the Paragon catalog I have enough information to get it back together again.. Once you understand what is going on in there it is really not all that complicated...

Anyway, thanks for the offer of help.. I won't bother you unless I really get stuck...

Joel

[Jim S.]

Re: 1978 TT Steering Column Help

You probably didn't remove the upper steering shaft but just in case, this picture shows the orientation of the parts.


Jim

[Joel T.]

Re: 1978 TT Steering Column Help

Jim, That is correct.... I just went far enough so I could paint and have it come out decently..... Thanks for this picture!! If you can point me to more, please do... Thx, Joel

[Gary V.]

Re: 1978 TT Steering Column Help

Hi;

I'm working on a 1978 with the T&T steering column. I pulled the column out of the car and disassembled it in order to be able to do a decent job of repainting. I have it mostly back together.. I need to compress that spring which sits behind the turn signal canceling cam and steering wheel lock in order to get the retaining clip back in place... Are their any special tricks to get this done? If I use both hands I can compress the spring enough to see the retainer groves.. but without an extra pair of hands there is no way I can keep the spring compressed and insert the clip....

Thanks!

Joel

Hi Joel, There is a compressor tool that you can get at Autozone. It is "U" shaped and has a threaded rod with a plastic knob at the top end of the rod. It straddles the retaining plate and threads into the column. When threaded in, you push on the knob with one hand and push in the retaining plate in just enough to slip the clip into place. You can sit in the driver's seat to do this.The tool is found in the store near the steering wheel pullers, Gary

[Joel T.]

Re: 1978 TT Steering Column Help

Hi Gary;

Thanks for the input.. I did pick one of those up at the local NAPA store... They actually had a couple. They had one for like $35.00 and the "el cheapo" for $10.00 I went "el cheapo" only to find out that it did not lock the end of the shaft in place so that the plate/spring could be compressed.... I had to fabricate a bolt which fit inside the tool to lock the shaft... Anyway... while there probably a "you get what you pay for" lesson in here... I am good to go!

Joel

[Jim S.]

Re: 1978 TT Steering Column Help

A 5/16-18 UNC set screw or a #20 Allen screw works just fine to lock the upper steering shaft in place. Just make sure that you remember to remove the screw after you install the c-clip and the plastic retainer. That plastic retainer was not mentioned above. That plastic part not only retains the c-clip it also insulates the big telescope spring from touching any metal steering column parts and causing the horn to blow continuously.

The retainer is no longer available through GM dealers. However, all major Corvette suppliers still have them available
Zip Products SC-517
Willcox 780838

[Joel T.]

Re: 1978 TT Steering Column Help

Jim;

Thanks for the reply and thanks for all the stuff you have posted on this topic... I took a bolt from my collection of Harley parts and ground it down to make it work.. I picked up the plastic retainer from Corvette-Paragon so I am covered there. I do have one other question if I might. Looking at the reassembly pictures, that bearing retainer spring which sits under the plate/turn signal cancelling cam makes direct contact with that turn signal cancelling cam.. Is that correct? It would seem to me that the constant movement of the wheel would wear that cam out pretty quickly.... Joel

[Jim S.]

Re: 1978 TT Steering Column Help

The upper bearing spring presses against the inner race seat. The seat rotates with the upper steering shaft. So the cancelling cam, upper bearing spring, and inner race seat all rotate together. No relative motion against the plastic cancelling cam.Jim