k10 steering column expert needed!

[chisler]

Hi this is my first time asking for some advice/help so please bear with,I own a1972 chev k10,it is the floor shift model and has the non tilt steering column.I wanted to remove the after market steering wheel and go back to the oem wheel that came with the truck. Here is where the problem comes into play, once the after market wheel was removed with a puller I went to place the oem on,thats when the upper steering shaft slid into the column about one inch, So I had a look under the hood and saw at the intermediate coupling area that everthing had pulled out of the column tube every thing down to the rag joint at the steering box is still attached and looks good.Is the lower bearing/ seal retained by some sort of clip or press fit or bearing preload,the spring is good. Even a diagram would help on how this column goes together.Or even some pics Thanks Frank

[mstrav1973]

There is a diagram on here you just need to use the search to find it. take a scredriver down by the rag joint (flex) and pry it back up towards the cab. you want to take all the slack back out when you set the other wheel back on. There also is an adjustment towards the cab on a rotating plate at the bottom of the column near the lower bearing. As for the uper bearing, it just sits in a pocket and all of your pre-load is set from that adjuster on the bottom of column. good luck.

Matt

[powerdriver 1958]

Try this link.. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=340533

[powerdriver 1958]

one more try..

[mstrav1973]

part #17 is the pre-load adjustment ring / colar. you can also make some slack adjustment where the column slides into the steering shaft to piece #20 and #21.

Matt

[chisler]

Thanks for the info, mstrav1973 and powerdriver,the drawings do help but on my column items# 11 thru 17 do not exist.I guess being a floor shift it has a different version,it is the original column that came with the truck.So nothing has changed, maybe because its a 4x4? greatly appreciate the help ! Frank

[mstrav1973]

so your truck was a stick and now has a aftermarket floor shifter?

[chisler]

The truck is a original 4 speed manual on the floor nothing has changed.

[Rack Man]

Mine is a 4 speed floor shift / non-tilt....maybe these will help.....Seems to me though that if the clamp that secures the main shaft to the intermediate shaft was indeed tight it should not have been able to move????

[Rack Man]

I think I know now.....By taking off the steering wheel nut....it took the tension off the the lower spring (near the lower bearing).....once you start tightning the steering wheel nut it will put the tension back on that spring....and yes, the lower bearing seat has a litle bit of adjustment as seen can be seen in my pics..




RM

[chisler]

Thanks rackman I kinda was thinking of removing the whole column,but now I will just install my oem steering wheel, thanks for the info and pics,no comparison on the engine compartments though wow! Yours is nicely painted/detailed up looks good! Frank