steering column rebuild
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Joined: Jan 2012
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Thanks, Warhorse- I was afrasid that that's all one had to do. Maybe T-bolts (like those axle bolts on backing plates) would be easier to work with. This 73 has tiny squarehead bolts that even when correctly inserted, barely have any material under the head to hold them to the little slot. Which unfortunately means if the the housing is slightly cocked when you push, the little bolt misses going into the slot. I've been trying for almost two days. Will just keep trying I guess.
Oh yes- is there a best gear to have my C6 in while doing this exercise??
Olwillie
Oh yes- is there a best gear to have my C6 in while doing this exercise??
Olwillie
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,607
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First. I know this is an old thread.
Second, if I am told to start a new thread I will, but this seems relevant.
I am rebuilding my 73-77 column and have spent hours searching this site for how to remove the shift fork from the shift tube. I have the column down to three pieces. The column itself, the shift tube and the shift fork. I have the shop manual and the parts cd. The shop manual only says "remove the shift socket from the shift tube". I don't want to break anything so I am asking if it just slides off?
Thanks
Second, if I am told to start a new thread I will, but this seems relevant.
I am rebuilding my 73-77 column and have spent hours searching this site for how to remove the shift fork from the shift tube. I have the column down to three pieces. The column itself, the shift tube and the shift fork. I have the shop manual and the parts cd. The shop manual only says "remove the shift socket from the shift tube". I don't want to break anything so I am asking if it just slides off?
Thanks
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,946
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Ben:
I just worked on shortening a 78 auto column, so I don't know if its the same as yours, but I suspect it would be similar. Also disassembled a 65 and it was no problem. My notes indicate: "Remove lower bearing and housing at forward end of column. Remove 3 green hex head screws and slide out steering shaft with with shifter arm and upper bearing assembly attatched. Remove shifter indicator cover. Shift tube with with shift arm and housing slides up and shifter linkage arm should fall out of the slot." There's a large spring at the end of the shift tube which may fall off, so look for it. Also the shift tube has a square "keystock" spot welded near the end, which lines up with a matching keyway in the linkage arm. Wiggling should be all that's necessary. Hopefully, if I'm incorrect on this, someone will correct me.
I just worked on shortening a 78 auto column, so I don't know if its the same as yours, but I suspect it would be similar. Also disassembled a 65 and it was no problem. My notes indicate: "Remove lower bearing and housing at forward end of column. Remove 3 green hex head screws and slide out steering shaft with with shifter arm and upper bearing assembly attatched. Remove shifter indicator cover. Shift tube with with shift arm and housing slides up and shifter linkage arm should fall out of the slot." There's a large spring at the end of the shift tube which may fall off, so look for it. Also the shift tube has a square "keystock" spot welded near the end, which lines up with a matching keyway in the linkage arm. Wiggling should be all that's necessary. Hopefully, if I'm incorrect on this, someone will correct me.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,607
Likes: 53
Thanks for the replies. I finally got the shift tube removed. I let the column, shift tube and shift fork soak (as a unit) overnight in a bucket of diesel fuel. The next day I cleaned up the parts as they were together.
Then I started moving the parts. I pulled the shift tube with a pair of pliers and it slid right out of the shift fork. I cleaned them all up and reassembled them. Lining up the shift fork to meet with the keyway (not sure of proper word) on the shift tube was a bit of work. What I did, was place a piece of tape inside the shift tube to mark where the keyway ??? is on the shift tube. This allowed me to line up the shift fork perfectly. I did not forget the spring.
Then I started moving the parts. I pulled the shift tube with a pair of pliers and it slid right out of the shift fork. I cleaned them all up and reassembled them. Lining up the shift fork to meet with the keyway (not sure of proper word) on the shift tube was a bit of work. What I did, was place a piece of tape inside the shift tube to mark where the keyway ??? is on the shift tube. This allowed me to line up the shift fork perfectly. I did not forget the spring.
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