Steering column shaft question? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**WestButteTruck** · 10-10-2007, 12:37 PM

My steering wheel has play a little in and out so I decide to investigate the problem. Well, it looks like there is some sort of bearing on the end of the column where it comes out of the firewall and it has come loose? How does this fit on the end? Is it pressed in, or is there some other mechanism holding the shaft in place? It seems as though there should be a clip on the steering wheel side maybe. As it is, with the steering wheel off, I think I could just pull this shaft right out the bottom end. Any suggestions? How can I get this corrected? Thanks

sneakysnake · 10-10-2007, 01:30 PM

Looks like you may be missing a keeper clip.Heres a tilt but the bottoms ought to be the same

**Classic Heartbeat** · 10-10-2007, 01:53 PM

There isn't a keeper there. What is missing is the big flat washer and spring. WES

**WestButteTruck** · 10-10-2007, 02:05 PM

I did take the big flat washer and spring off for the pic. Would the spring lose tension? With everything back together, it just wont quite stay tight?

**WestButteTruck** · 10-11-2007, 03:32 PM

Would a new spring help with this? Or...

rci2990 · 08-24-2009, 01:31 PM

sorry to bring up a old post but i have a similar problem.i got the spring and big washer on,but even with the steering wheel on tight i still have a little up and down play.and it does'nt look like the clamp at the end of the shaft will go up to put tension on the spring.i already put new bearings on it.so is there a way to get the clamp to move up or do i have to use more washers,because when i took it apart before it only had 1 big washer.thanks

**KevsClassics** · 08-24-2009, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rci2990

sorry to bring up a old post but i have a similar problem.i got the spring and big washer on,but even with the steering wheel on tight i still have a little up and down play.and it does'nt look like the clamp at the end of the shaft will go up to put tension on the spring.i already put new bearings on it.so is there a way to get the clamp to move up or do i have to use more washers,because when i took it apart before it only had 1 big washer.thanks

Do you have cancelling cam installed and is it good cond?

rci2990 · 12-03-2009, 11:40 PM

sorry been working on other things for the truck.yes replaced everything in column.plastic turn signal with wiring,upper and lower bearings.column was clean when taken apart.its not much up and down play.not as much as the guy earlier in the post.maybe 1/6 1/32 play.rag joint is new.i have schematics so it went back together right.

unclewatts · 12-04-2009, 12:46 AM

I don't know about three-on-the-trees or automatics but on mine just below the spring and flatwasher is a big cast iron clamp. When the steering column is all together you gotta push the big clamp up the steering shaft until it just begins to compress the spring and then tighten the clamp.

OhioDan · 12-04-2009, 04:55 AM

Here's a pic of a non-tilt column.

10-10-2007, 12:37 PM	#1
WestButteTruck Kung Fu Master Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Montana Posts: 547	Steering column shaft question? My steering wheel has play a little in and out so I decide to investigate the problem. Well, it looks like there is some sort of bearing on the end of the column where it comes out of the firewall and it has come loose? How does this fit on the end? Is it pressed in, or is there some other mechanism holding the shaft in place? It seems as though there should be a clip on the steering wheel side maybe. As it is, with the steering wheel off, I think I could just pull this shaft right out the bottom end. Any suggestions? How can I get this corrected? Thanks Attached Images __________________ 72 GMC SuperCustom 4x4 1972 Chevrolet Cheyenne Super 4x4

10-10-2007, 01:30 PM	#2
sneakysnake It's a catastrophic success. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,077	Re: Steering column shaft question? Looks like you may be missing a keeper clip.Heres a tilt but the bottoms ought to be the same Attached Images

10-10-2007, 01:53 PM	#3
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,766	Re: Steering column shaft question? There isn't a keeper there. What is missing is the big flat washer and spring. WES __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

10-10-2007, 02:05 PM	#4
WestButteTruck Kung Fu Master Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Montana Posts: 547	Re: Steering column shaft question? I did take the big flat washer and spring off for the pic. Would the spring lose tension? With everything back together, it just wont quite stay tight? __________________ 72 GMC SuperCustom 4x4 1972 Chevrolet Cheyenne Super 4x4

10-11-2007, 03:32 PM	#5
WestButteTruck Kung Fu Master Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Montana Posts: 547	Re: Steering column shaft question? Would a new spring help with this? Or... __________________ 72 GMC SuperCustom 4x4 1972 Chevrolet Cheyenne Super 4x4

08-24-2009, 01:31 PM	#6
rci2990 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: sunbury,pa Posts: 48	Re: Steering column shaft question? sorry to bring up a old post but i have a similar problem.i got the spring and big washer on,but even with the steering wheel on tight i still have a little up and down play.and it does'nt look like the clamp at the end of the shaft will go up to put tension on the spring.i already put new bearings on it.so is there a way to get the clamp to move up or do i have to use more washers,because when i took it apart before it only had 1 big washer.thanks __________________ 1970 c-10 2wd longbed

12-03-2009, 11:40 PM	#8
rci2990 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: sunbury,pa Posts: 48	Re: Steering column shaft question? sorry been working on other things for the truck.yes replaced everything in column.plastic turn signal with wiring,upper and lower bearings.column was clean when taken apart.its not much up and down play.not as much as the guy earlier in the post.maybe 1/6 1/32 play.rag joint is new.i have schematics so it went back together right. __________________ 1970 c-10 2wd longbed

12-04-2009, 12:46 AM	#9
unclewatts 70 Chevrolet=Obsession Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: nice ca Posts: 1,067	Re: Steering column shaft question? I don't know about three-on-the-trees or automatics but on mine just below the spring and flatwasher is a big cast iron clamp. When the steering column is all together you gotta push the big clamp up the steering shaft until it just begins to compress the spring and then tighten the clamp. __________________ I'm Just like my truck. Old, Ugly and Grouchy. Except my truck starts easily in the morning and doesn't smoke! IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN! -Kermit the frog 1970 Chevrolet C-10 Longbed Stepside : 350, Muncie M20, 3.08 GM corp. positraction Forest green exterior/light green interior(Where all my money goes) 1996 Toyota Corolla (Parts runner)

12-04-2009, 04:55 AM	#10
OhioDan Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New Carlisle, Ohio,USA Posts: 1,404	Re: Steering column shaft question? Here's a pic of a non-tilt column. Attached Images __________________ LIFE AIN'T EASY WHEN YER FAT AND GREASY! GMC= Got More Class! 1970 GMC LWB, Fleetside, 350/4spd, Flowmaster "40's", 2002 GMC 16" Rallies, cowl hood,and added a bunch of options that weren't there when I started.

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