1969 steering column

[Kenny C.]

Okay so now that i am very close to being complete with my car I actually got in it and started her up. While that was pretty exciting it also reminded me that I have gained a bit of weight since i last drove it some 30 years ago. Fitting my girth past the steering wheel is somewhat less comfortable than when I was 165 pounds. So now I am seriously considering replacing the column with a tilt version. Before I part with that much cash I want to know how much of a problem is it to change the column and am I opening a can of worms?

[Rich P.]

Re: 1969 steering column

Kenny,

simple swap. Even the rag joint is the same.

Rich

[Jack H.]

Re: 1969 steering column

The conversion is pretty straight forward. Issues you need to address other than the R&R bolt on are: (1) getting a T/Tele column that's intact, and (2) 'teaching' yourself how to properly exit the car. The two are related.

Excess wear/tear on these columns comes from the driver using the steering wheel as a 'assist' to pull himself up/out of the car. Worn columns often exhibit 'slop' when you pull on the steering wheel in the 10:00 to 3:00 direction. Fixing this isn't all that cheap as you need a fresh/new internal upper column housing!

Second, used original columns often come from wrecked Corvettes. The lower shaft segment of the column is designed to 'crush' and collapse upward in a front end collision. It's not that uncommon for a 'bargain' column to go into the car and wind up being 'short'. That requires rework to FORCE the lower column shaft to telescope back into its factory original position.

On 'teaching' yourself how to exit the car...release the tilt mechanism to flip the steering wheel up. Now, open the door and DO NOT grab the wheel to pull yourself out of the car!

Instead, rest your LH elbow on the door jamb and exit that way...

[Kenny C.]

Re: 1969 steering column

Okay sounds to me that I will be pulling out the column today. Thanks for the advice and information, i really want the tilt just didn't want to re invent the wheel as it were.
Regards
Kenny