'67 Steering Column Parts-Unidentified

[Steven B.]

I am replacing the lower bearing, and I have some unidentified parts (at least to me). After combing through the archives and reading numerous threads, I am still without a definitive answer as to the relationships of some column parts. The column in question is out of a June car, so it is the late design at the lower bearing. I have determined that the lower bearing was also used in the telescoping columns and standard columns in both '67 and '68. Depending on the vendor, they show different replacement bearings, but both needle and ball styles are available. My question involves a spacer that I do not have information on concerning its placement in the column housing. It is not the spacer at the bottom of the shaft between the clamp and the lower spring and bearing. It came out with the shaft and was loose. There was also some remnants of what looks to be a felt or similar material that looks like it was some sort of packing, but I have no clue as to what it was. This is a standard non-telescoping column. I am including some photos. The first is the lower bearing and the spacer in question. The second is the shaft and approximately where the spacer was on the shaft as well as the material that came out. If anyone has information on where these items actually belong, I would be genuinely appreciative. If necessary, I have additional photos and can take more.

Steve

[Stephen L.]

Re: '67 Steering Column Parts-Unidentified

I took some photos of my column while restoring. Unfortunately, I did not photo the end you are questioning while apart.
Here is what I have... April build car. Non- power steering. Standard column.
Hope this helps....

[Richard M.]

Re: '67 Steering Column Parts-Unidentified

This should add to Stephens info and nice photos.

The felt pieces are lower bearing dust seals that fall apart easily. I have made my own out of sheet felt. This is a early 1967 Standard column.


I think that black plastic part is the spacer for shaft to mast jacket alignment. It's used to keep the collapsible shafts centered in the jacket. Yours likely came out when you removed the shaft. At the center of the collapsible mesh mast jacket there is a solid section. It has to be inserted in that section before the shaft is reinstalled.

Here is a photo of a early 1967 Standard column in that center section area. The plastic spacer appears white on the early columns. It must be installed before the shaft. You have to work it into the center section with a tool between the jacket collapsible mesh holes until seated. Then the shaft assembly can go in.

[Gene M.]

Re: '67 Steering Column Parts-Unidentified

I used an ABEC 1 quality bearing at the upper and lower positions and it took out the slop in the shaft. I don’t recall the part number but I do seem to recall they were a whole lot cheaper than the tinker toy replacements. Shafts require some clean up as they were not intended for ABEC 1 bearings. This was also done on a standard column.

Same can be accomplished on a standard not collapse column such as ‘65 but the shaft is smaller diameter so ABEC 1 bearing size is also smaller. In this application the shaft can fit tight on shaft as well as in housing since it doesn’t collapse. Again I don’t have part numbers.

[Steven B.]

Re: '67 Steering Column Parts-Unidentified

Thank you for all the photos and information. I haven't removed the plastic sleeve over the expanded metal portion of the housing yet. I was guessing that the part in question was possibly some sort of spacer to keep alignment correct. It looks as if my spacer had worked its way down the inside of the housing, and had been against the flange for the spring above the lower bearing. It appears to have some minimal internal wear. I have not seen this part listed by any retailers. I will probably be able to reuse it, as I don't see much in the way of stresses on the housing once it is fastened in. Is there something within the housing that is supposed to keep it located? I will look once I get the plastic sleeve off. My shaft looks like it has some light wear in the vicinity of the spacer location in Richards photo. Is the tag I see in Stephens photos available (or called for)? I haven't looked in my JG specifically for that, but I don't remember anything about the tag. I will look into the bearing. I have seen that you can get them with a lip, so I guess getting the right dimensions is the only issue.
Thanks all,

Steve

[Richard M.]

Re: '67 Steering Column Parts-Unidentified

Thank you for all the photos and information. I haven't removed the plastic sleeve over the expanded metal portion of the housing yet. I was guessing that the part in question was possibly some sort of spacer to keep alignment correct. It looks as if my spacer had worked its way down the inside of the housing, and had been against the flange for the spring above the lower bearing. It appears to have some minimal internal wear. I have not seen this part listed by any retailers. I will probably be able to reuse it, as I don't see much in the way of stresses on the housing once it is fastened in. Is there something within the housing that is supposed to keep it located? I will look once I get the plastic sleeve off. My shaft looks like it has some light wear in the vicinity of the spacer location in Richards photo. Is the tag I see in Stephens photos available (or called for)? I haven't looked in my JG specifically for that, but I don't remember anything about the tag. I will look into the bearing. I have seen that you can get them with a lip, so I guess getting the right dimensions is the only issue.
Thanks all,

Steve

Steve I have never seen that shaft locating spacer available in reproduction. In the past I've looked in Jim Shea's steering documents online, HERE, and it's not shown in the GM diagrams for some reason. It is a compression fit inside that center section of the mast jacket. It's a split collar and just expansion tension holds it in position. It was a mystery to me too when I did my first 1967 column so you're not alone.

It's a bit cumbersome to get it in position. Get it started in the mast jacket and use 2 screwdrivers through the mesh to then push it into position. It will be expanded so you have to compress it to get it in. Once it's installed it shouldn't move. Obviously yours did but unsure why. It's possible that in the past someone tried to pull the shaft and loosened it and it fell down, or a common problem with the collapsible columns was that the mesh could break by pulling on the column to get in the car. Obviously a collision could cause it too but that was the purpose, for the mesh mast jacket to collapse along with the 2 piece shaft collapsing.

That orange Tag(last photo) is the columns. I have not seen them in reproduction. I masked this one when I painted the column mast jacket as seen. I believe the tag is a different number for the Telescopic column.

Rich
PS I attached Jim's 1967-1968 Std Column PDF below. Note it is not Corvette specific but may help.
PPS A few more photos of the one I restored years ago.

[Michael M.]

Re: '67 Steering Column Parts-Unidentified

Just an FYI - Jim has a later revision of that paper specific to Corvettes (Rev 03JL2014), with better graphics.

[Steven B.]

Re: '67 Steering Column Parts-Unidentified

Richard,

Excellent pictures. Thank you. I have had this column out for turn signal switch replacement. I hadn't taken the shaft out to replace the bearings however. I still have not removed the plastic cover over the compressible portion of the mast. I will get a better look later this evening. I believe the split collar is serviceable since it doesn't have any load on it. It had a bit of old grease inside.
Mike, I did stumble across Jim Shea's articles but they didn't address the collar. Good articles though with some excellent information I needed including some key dimensions. More attention than the shop service manual gives by far.

Steve,

[Richard M.]

Re: '67 Steering Column Parts-Unidentified

Just an FYI - Jim has a later revision of that paper specific to Corvettes (Rev 03JL2014), with better graphics.

Michael, Thanks, I couldn't find that version on Jim's website.

Stephen, BTW, If the upper bearing outer casing is loose in it's housing, and if the bearing is still good, you can peen the outer edges of the housing close to the bearing casing to hold it. Others have also used epoxy to keep it solidly in place.

Rich