84 Tilt column shaft not out far enough

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Ronno6

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I purchased a tilt column for my 84 C10.
When I received it, the shaft is pushed up into the bottom of the housing be over an inch...
the hole for the cross bolt in inside the bearing at the bottom- not how it was pictured.
Apparently the whole shebang has moved upwards inside the housing.
Is this a simple fox, or will I get an education on the disassembly of the tilt column?
However, the lock plate appears to be a bit higher than usual, but not THAT much....

Last photo is not mine,,,,included for reference

Top pic is from the original listing (if it is in order, that is.....)

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SquareRoot

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I just figured this out yesterday while removing my steering wheel from the column I pulled out. I did not know it was a slip shaft until I whacked on it and it disappeared inside the housing. Fortunately, yours is still protruding. Get ahold of it and pull it out. If it goes all the way in, it's gets more difficult to expand. Then you'll need something with a 90 degree hook on it to grab that pinch bolt hole from the inside of the shaft. Maybe something like the old style battery hold down rods. But, the length sticking out the bottom does not change the length on the steering wheel end.
 
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Ronno6

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Thanks!
It tool a bit of persuasion, but I managed to coax the shaft back to length.
Now, why does my steering wheel lock not function??
 

Goldie Driver

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SquareRoot

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That metal plate with the notches in it- your second photo. There should be a pin ( about a 1/4"- slight taper on the end ). When the key is in the off position, that pin pushes towards that plate and a slight movement off the steering wheel allows it to pop into one of those notches to lock it. Is your pin there and functioning? I can't tell from the pic.
 

Ronno6

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That metal plate with the notches in it- your second photo. There should be a pin ( about a 1/4"- slight taper on the end ). When the key is in the off position, that pin pushes towards that plate and a slight movement off the steering wheel allows it to pop into one of those notches to lock it. Is your pin there and functioning? I can't tell from the pic.

Pin is there, but not functioning.
It does not pop up when key is in off position.
 

SquareRoot

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There you go. You will have to do some slight disassembly. It may just be stuck from dirt or corrosion or the spring may be missing or broke. Easy fix, just a PITA. Expect it to take 5 times longer to repair than expected as with all things square body. Lol
 

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I'm gonna suggest you tear it down as far as the tilt assembly, clean, lube, tighten, and reassmble. With the proper tools it will take a mechanically inclined person who has never taken a tilt column apart under 2 hours to have it stripped down and back together including drink breaks.
 

SquareRoot

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Take a pic of every part before you remove it. Go easy on the beer and most importantly don't take it apart if you can't put it back together right away. Let it sit disassembled for a day or two and it gets messy real quick. Oh, and go easy on the beer.
 

Ronno6

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Seems like a lot of toil.
Maybe I'll just do without...............
 

Crispy

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Its a bit tedious with all the small parts in tight quarters but I imagine its easier to do a preventative service on the thing while its out than after you installed it.

When I did mine I used this writeup:
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=12525.0

If the tilt feels tight then take the gamble but if its not then its a matter of time till it flops all over. Not to mention the 35 year old grease in there.








and that ladies and gentlemen is Crispy's 1000th post. You're all welcome. :33:
 

Matt69olds

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Take a pic of every part before you remove it. Go easy on the beer and most importantly don't take it apart if you can't put it back together right away. Let it sit disassembled for a day or two and it gets messy real quick. Oh, and go easy on the beer.


I can’t stress this enough! I have been doing steering column work for probably 20 plus years, and I still despise it! Too many little parts that have to be held in just the right position, with hands way too big, and fighting gravity at the same time.

Sometimes I think I would rather undergo a prostate exam, with Captain Hook, in a ice cold exam room, during a earthquake than do steering column repair.
 

highdesertrange

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Matt tell us how you really feel. highdesertranger
 

Chevyguy

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I can’t stress this enough! I have been doing steering column work for probably 20 plus years, and I still despise it! Too many little parts that have to be held in just the right position, with hands way too big, and fighting gravity at the same time.

Sometimes I think I would rather undergo a prostate exam, with Captain Hook, in a ice cold exam room, during a earthquake than do steering column repair.
Matt, my tilt column is still loose after tightening up the four torx bolts. Nothing really looked too bad when I had it apart. The under dash mounts are tight too. Could the bearings, or tilt mechanism be worn out?.
My trucks an 87 V-20. Thanks Matt.

Clayton



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Chevyguy

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I can’t stress this enough! I have been doing steering column work for probably 20 plus years, and I still despise it! Too many little parts that have to be held in just the right position, with hands way too big, and fighting gravity at the same time.

Sometimes I think I would rather undergo a prostate exam, with Captain Hook, in a ice cold exam room, during a earthquake than do steering column repair.
Matt, my tilt column is still loose after tightening up the four torx bolts. Nothing really looked too bad when I had it apart. The under dash mounts are tight too. Could the bearings, or tilt mechanism be worn out?.
My trucks an 87 V-20. Thanks Matt.

Clayton



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Chevyguy

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Matt, my tilt column is still loose after tightening up the four torx bolts. Nothing really looked too bad when I had it apart. The under dash mounts are tight too. Could the bearings, or tilt mechanism be worn out?.
My trucks an 87 V-20. Thanks Matt.

Clayton



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Chevyguy

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Darn Tappatalk posted my question to Matt twice after it malfunctioned. Sorry guy's.

Clayton

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