Jim Shea - 1968 Standard Steering Column Question

[Bryan M.]

Hello,
Lets see if I can explain this.
I have an extra 68 standard steering column that has a problem. The problem is that when you install a steering wheel and jerk the wheel toward you, the steering wheel, hub and inner shaft comes out of the column tube. You can then realign it and re-insert it back into tube. It fits nice and tight with no bearing slop.
What keeps the inner shaft in place? I couldn't find a drawing of a 68 standard column, but I did find one of a 69-76 standard column. That drawing shows a part labeled as a shaft stop ring. Could that be the same part that prevents the 68 inner shaft from pulling out of the column tube?


Thanks,
Bryan

[Jim S.]

Re: Jim Shea - 1968 Standard Steering Column Question

Standard steering column steering shafts should load into the steering column from the bottom (engine end). There should be a round wire ring that sits in a groove in the steering shaft that keeps it from sliding up through the upper bearing. I think that you are missing that round wire ring.

Jim

[Bryan M.]

Re: Jim Shea - 1968 Standard Steering Column Question

Jim,
Thank you for your response.
Is there a diagram out there that shows the 68 standard column disassembly procedure?
Bryan

[Jim S.]

Re: Jim Shea - 1968 Standard Steering Column Question

There is a 1967-68 blowup picture of the standard Corvette steering column in the 1968 Chevrolet shop manual. However, it is not correct. It does not show the retaining ring that I mentioned in my first post. (Trust me - there is one that is supposed to be there.)

The picture in the manual is not the sharpest in the world. But if you look closely there appear to be two features up near the steering wheel end of the steering shaft. The should be one groove 2.8 inches from the end. There should also be a second groove 3.4 inches further down. This is the groove where the retaining ring seems to be missing.

The round wire ring that goes in that groove is GM #5694191. This ring was used on millions of GM columns (it is the ring that retains the locking plate on all tilt and standard steering columns- it is still available through GM dealers and in all salvage yards.)

I will try to scan the blowup picture tonight. I just don't have time today.

Jim

[Jim S.]

Re: Jim Shea - 1968 Standard Steering Column Question

Let's see if this photobucket img of the 1967-68 standard Corvette column blowup will show up here.

Jim

[Bryan M.]

Re: Jim Shea - 1968 Standard Steering Column Question

Jim,
Thank you so much for the picture. So this ring keeps the upper part of the steering shaft from pulling out of the master shaft and separating into two pieces.

In order to install this ring I should pull the steering shaft out from the bottom, install the retaining ring in the groove on the steering shaft and slide it back up into the mast shaft. Is this correct procedure?
Thanks,
Bryan

[Jim S.]

Re: Jim Shea - 1968 Standard Steering Column Question

Yes, the 5694191 Retaining Ring should keep the upper shaft from pulling up and out of the steering column. The solid upper shaft should be retained to the tubular lower shaft by means of injected plastic. The plastic is sheared and the steering shaft should telescope on itself as the steering column collapses and absorbs energy in a severe frontal collision.

Needless to say, your plastic injected joint has been sheared. There is quite a bit of overlap were the solid upper shaft and the lower tubular shaft come together. So the upper shaft has to come out of the column a long way before you would lose engagement (and lose steering ability!)

When you put the two shafts together again make sure that the index (or chisel) mark on the end of the upper shaft is aligned with the notch that is machined across the splines on the lower shaft. This will help you with centering the steering wheel to the steering gear.

One other thing that you could consider doing when the two shafts are out of the steering column is to use a limited amount of epoxy glue to retain the upper and lower shafts together. The epoxy should just be a gap filler. You really don't want to "super glue" the two parts together. The two shafts should measure 37.49 inches end to end.

Jim

[Bryan M.]

Re: Jim Shea - 1968 Standard Steering Column Question

Well, I finally got around to disassembling the upper portion of my 68 steering column to find out why the upper shaft was pulling out. Jim suggested that the 5694191 retaining ring might be missing. Upon inspection, I found the retaining ring in place. What I discovered was that the upper bearing is pulling out of the aluminum housing that it is seated in.
I have heard that this bearing is held in place with epoxy.
Is that so? If it is, what type of epoxy should I use?
Thanks,
Bryan

[Jim S.]

Re: Jim Shea - 1968 Standard Steering Column Question

The upper bearing is a light press fit into the aluminum upper bearing housing. Then a thin lip on the housing is spun over to fully retain the outer race of the bearing.

Normally you have to take a dremel type tool and grind off the spun over lip in order to service the bearing.

In your case you need to press the bearing back into the housing and sometimes there may be small segments of the lip that still can be peened over to retain the bearing. Otherwise use a thin coat of two part epoxy on the outer race to glue it into the bearing housing.

Jim

[Bryan M.]

Re: Jim Shea - 1968 Standard Steering Column Question

Thanks Jim! for taking the time to share your great wealth of knowledge.
You Sir, help make it possible for us amateurs to partake in this hobby!

I am also rebuilding my original column. I purchased an upper and lower bearing kit from Corvette Steering (Super nice fellow. He knows the Pensacola area well from his military service days). For the upper bearing, I bought the aluminum housing with bearing already installed.