Rebuilding automatic steering column

[chevyrestoguy]

Chris-
They are a pretty simple deal when you get them all apart. They are supported by a bearing at the bottom and the top. The lower bearing can be purchased on-line (I got mine on ebay). The upper bearing is part of the turn signal assembly, and I would suggest taking a good look at your current one to see if it's serviceable. If it's not, replace it. They are primarily made of plastic, they wear out, and they can get brittle over time. I recommend replacing it. You will need to remove the gear selector, so drive out the pin and slide the handle out. Don't lose the little spring! Also, keep track of your gear selector bulb wire (I think it's the dark green wire, but don't quote me) and see how it routes through the assembly. Your bulb will have a green translucent rubbery outer cover that glows green onto the shift lens whenever the dash lighting is illuminated. Remove it carefully and set it aside. Replace the bulb and reinstall the outer cover.

Once you get the turn signal assembly out, you will see the cowling/fairing attach points. Turn it to the left about an inch, and it will release. Slide the cowling off.

Being as your column is an automatic one, remove the neutral safety switch. If the column is worn out, replace the switch because the contacts can get worn out over time, and you'll be moving the gear selector around looking for the "sweet spot" where the pins make contact and the truck will start. A new switch solves that issue.

On the lower part of the column, you will see two "half-moon" clamps that are secured with 2 bolts each. Once you remove those, the column outer tube will separate from the steering shaft.

If you plan to paint the column, now is the perfect time. Also, now is the perfect time to replace the foam gasket that seals the column to the floor. Just make sure you put the gasket and the metal retainer on to the column before you stick it back together. If not, then you're stretching the heck out of the gasket to get it over the lower column after you've put it all together.

If you're planning on going with a different transmission than the Powerglide, you can get the shift lens for the 3 and 4 speed automatics. The font for the 3 speed lens is exactly like the rest of the gauge cluster. The 4 speed lens has the later font, and it looks exactly like the ones that GM used in the '80s vans.

For the reassembly, replace the lower bearing at the bottom. It's a ball bearing deal encapsulated in a thin metal shell. It pops in place, no need to press it in. For the rest of the column, just reverse the disassembly process. Here's a link to a thread about changing out the lower bearing:
http://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/...&Number=649533

And here's a link to one of the companies who sells the bearing:
http://www.ecklerstrucks.com/chevy-t...1960-1968.html