Power steering column install on a 66 questions

[msg]

I had planned to wait to install the steering column until the wiring was done to avoid scratching up the newly painted upper column with the instrument cluster install, but the wiring cant start until I have the inner fender on the driver side installed per the AAW 1st bag-fuse box. So I thought I would switch to do the install of the steering column since it would be easier without the inner fender on. The reference pics I took during the teardown were going to be my guide to just redo in reverse and the first thing I did was use mineral spirits to clean out the bearing at the base of the column.

Now that its clean should I put some grease in the bearing track? It didnt say so in the shop manual, just to clean all parts with solvent and dry with compressed air.

Also there is a spring that I have in the bag of parts I removed that I dont see in any diagrams in the shop or assembly manual. Anyone know which spring this would be?

[msg]

Here are some tear down reference pics in case alignments are crucial to reset.

[cwcarpenter98]

https://lugnutz65chevystepside.weebl...n-rebuild.html Member Lugnutz65 did a great write-up on the steering column. It shows where that spring you are asking about should go and it shows that bearing disassembled

[msg]

Dang that is comprehensive! Thanks Christian, and Lugnutz.

That spring though I didnt see, the one im wondering about may have been mistakenly put in the bag of steering column parts. The spring he has is that larger one that is still on mine that you can see in the pic Ill add.

The smaller one Im trying to locate is maybe in the steering wheel portion in the cab?

[cwcarpenter98]

If that spring slides over your column, I believe it goes between the lower bearing and that clamp you have sitting next to it. It's used to put tension on that bearing

[msg]

Picking back up on this and have done most of what Lugnutz had written up but it looks like my steering is a little different than the one in his write up. I have gotten this far but the alignments he calls out as crucial might only apply to the version he shows? I followed the instructs and got this far, but the only guide I have on alignment of the shift arm is the pics I took before I tore it apart. Ill try PMing him and see what his thoughts are.

[cwcarpenter98]

His writeup with pictures were about a 3 speed column. My guess is that there's a difference between the manual and autos for the alignment

[Lugnutz65]

I noticed a few problems. Nothing major though. The small plate with 2 “V” notches needs to be flipped over. The linkage rod fits through the hole and the V notches gives the plate a small bite on the rod to hold it secure. I realize that your pre-teardown pics show it with the V like you have it, but that’s not correct. Also, the lock washer goes under the nut, not under the plate.

Your rebuild looks correct. When your column shift arm is pulled towards the steering wheel, the detent releases because the lower shift arm moves downward. That’s why there’s a large space above the lower bearing.

The clip and spring must be slid onto the steering shaft prior to sliding on the column sleeves. That lower spring keeps the shaft from pistoning inside the column sleeve. It should touch the lower bearing with only slight tension. Not much at all.

[val1gonzales]

The spring goes on the end of the shaft. If you look through the pages of the assembly manual you will find a section on how to adjust it when assembling.

[msg]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

I noticed a few problems. Nothing major though. The small plate with 2 “V” notches needs to be flipped over. The linkage rod fits through the hole and the V notches gives the plate a small bite on the rod to hold it secure. I realize that your pre-teardown pics show it with the V like you have it, but that’s not correct. Also, the lock washer goes under the nut, not under the plate.

Your rebuild looks correct. When your column shift arm is pulled towards the steering wheel, the detent releases because the lower shift arm moves downward. That’s why there’s a large space above the lower bearing.

The clip and spring must be slid onto the steering shaft prior to sliding on the column sleeves. That lower spring keeps the shaft from pistoning inside the column sleeve. It should touch the lower bearing with only slight tension. Not much at all.

Thank you! Ill revisit this tomorrow.

Originally Posted by val1gonzales

The spring goes on the end of the shaft. If you look through the pages of the assembly manual you will find a section on how to adjust it when assembling.

.

Thanks Val, I have the assembly manual and shop manuals. Ill look closer to find the section for the adjustments. That assembly manual is kinda tricky to navigate.

[msg]

Just now having time to get to this. I went looking for the assembly manual reference to the adjustments but didnt see any there. I did see this one in the shop manual and it looks like my setup. It does show this to be a manual steering vs power and the conversion I have was done to power steering years ago. Is this adjustment still accurate for what I have? If I have the right reference that is.

The large spacing above the lower bearing you mentioned Lugnutz, I assume I should keep it where it is without adjusting? I replaced the clamp and screws on that lower bearing as the marks were still there from before I removed it. I just lined it up the same, thats not saying it was adjusted properly before or anything just as it was.

[Lugnutz65]

Everything looks good so far. The tooth that I show in the picture below needs to fit up inside the notches when the column shift lever is in gear, and must smoothly disengage from the notches when the shift arm inside the cab is pulled toward the drivers chest.