Steering Column Problems (shifter) - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

SSC's76 · 11-29-2005, 08:17 PM

I've about had enough with this steering column it's driving me

. On my 76 3, speed column, every so often I drop it back in 1st or go into reverse and the column peices grind togather. The steering column is tight otherwise, no slop at all. I dunno is there anything I can do to fix the problem? It just seems like the center section is screwy and I admit Ive never ripped a standard column apart before so I dont know jack about these internals past the key. Heres some pics of where it grinding, bad light.

f.monroe · 11-29-2005, 11:31 PM

Reverse and first are the hardest gears to get in . Are you sure that you are not feeling the gears grinding a little . It will travel through the linkage to the shifter handle and feel like the handle is grinding . Just a thought . Frank

SSC's76 · 11-30-2005, 09:41 AM

No, the gears and the transmission are fine. It's kinda hard to see in the pics but the shifter part of the column in the cab rubs the key housing area. It's been wearing on it real good too, if you take your finger and rub it around the area in the pic it will cut it.

SSC's76 · 12-01-2005, 10:04 AM

Well I dug up my original column whats left of it. I replaced it a couple years back since the sections where the bearings sit were wasted. I pulled it apart to get an idea of whats going on. I still dont see why or how the shift collar is prevented from doing what its doing in the truck now but my orginal dident have this issue and this one recently developed the problem. I see a plastic bushing on the lower portion that prevents metal to metal contact but nothing on the top.

I might just be getting the firebird back on the road sooner then I want since 3 speed columns are hard to come by.

79BIG10 · 12-01-2005, 06:36 PM

I've had a shifter on my 84 like that but never ran into that problem. My problem I was running into was the plastic tiny shaft would break and you couldn't get into a gear other than first. It was a safety feature in it to collapse during a wreck. Strange for sure.

Best thing you can do it change the shifter for a floor shifter.

SSC's76 · 12-03-2005, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 79BIG10

I've had a shifter on my 84 like that but never ran into that problem. My problem I was running into was the plastic tiny shaft would break and you couldn't get into a gear other than first. It was a safety feature in it to collapse during a wreck. Strange for sure.

Best thing you can do it change the shifter for a floor shifter.

Yea, I might end up with a floor ****er temporaily since another column is going to be kinda hard to come by. I just might park the truck and start doing the body panel replacment and when a column becomes avalible it does. I dunno It makes me sad either way.

ureckme · 12-03-2005, 04:36 PM

Might be the steering shaft from the steering box, pushing the shaft up the column from the cab settleing. Might try loosening the clamp or the column and pulling it up a little. Matt

11-29-2005, 08:17 PM	#1
SSC's76 No No Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pueblo Colorado Posts: 1,781	Steering Column Problems (shifter) I've about had enough with this steering column it's driving me . On my 76 3, speed column, every so often I drop it back in 1st or go into reverse and the column peices grind togather. The steering column is tight otherwise, no slop at all. I dunno is there anything I can do to fix the problem? It just seems like the center section is screwy and I admit Ive never ripped a standard column apart before so I dont know jack about these internals past the key. Heres some pics of where it grinding, bad light. Attached Images __________________ 1976 Custom Deluxe SWB Med FMB.3/4 Drop. Gen VI 454, Muncie HD 3 speed With Modified OE Hurst Shifter, 3.73 12 bolt, GMPP HO roller cam, Hooker headers, Performer intake with modified Q-jet, Accel distributor. Best 1/4 12.3 @108. Funnest run 19.84 @88 full 1/4 mile burn out. 1997 K1500 ext cab 5.7 stock except muffler

11-29-2005, 11:31 PM	#2
f.monroe Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Caldwell,Tx. Posts: 3,648	Re: Steering Column Problems (shifter) Reverse and first are the hardest gears to get in . Are you sure that you are not feeling the gears grinding a little . It will travel through the linkage to the shifter handle and feel like the handle is grinding . Just a thought . Frank __________________ Born and proudly residing in a Red State !

11-30-2005, 09:41 AM	#3
SSC's76 No No Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pueblo Colorado Posts: 1,781	Re: Steering Column Problems (shifter) No, the gears and the transmission are fine. It's kinda hard to see in the pics but the shifter part of the column in the cab rubs the key housing area. It's been wearing on it real good too, if you take your finger and rub it around the area in the pic it will cut it. __________________ 1976 Custom Deluxe SWB Med FMB.3/4 Drop. Gen VI 454, Muncie HD 3 speed With Modified OE Hurst Shifter, 3.73 12 bolt, GMPP HO roller cam, Hooker headers, Performer intake with modified Q-jet, Accel distributor. Best 1/4 12.3 @108. Funnest run 19.84 @88 full 1/4 mile burn out. 1997 K1500 ext cab 5.7 stock except muffler

12-01-2005, 10:04 AM	#4
SSC's76 No No Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pueblo Colorado Posts: 1,781	Re: Steering Column Problems (shifter) Well I dug up my original column whats left of it. I replaced it a couple years back since the sections where the bearings sit were wasted. I pulled it apart to get an idea of whats going on. I still dont see why or how the shift collar is prevented from doing what its doing in the truck now but my orginal dident have this issue and this one recently developed the problem. I see a plastic bushing on the lower portion that prevents metal to metal contact but nothing on the top. I might just be getting the firebird back on the road sooner then I want since 3 speed columns are hard to come by. __________________ 1976 Custom Deluxe SWB Med FMB.3/4 Drop. Gen VI 454, Muncie HD 3 speed With Modified OE Hurst Shifter, 3.73 12 bolt, GMPP HO roller cam, Hooker headers, Performer intake with modified Q-jet, Accel distributor. Best 1/4 12.3 @108. Funnest run 19.84 @88 full 1/4 mile burn out. 1997 K1500 ext cab 5.7 stock except muffler

12-01-2005, 06:36 PM	#5
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,775	Re: Steering Column Problems (shifter) I've had a shifter on my 84 like that but never ran into that problem. My problem I was running into was the plastic tiny shaft would break and you couldn't get into a gear other than first. It was a safety feature in it to collapse during a wreck. Strange for sure. Best thing you can do it change the shifter for a floor shifter. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

12-03-2005, 04:36 PM	#7
ureckme ureckmefixit2@cox.net Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Mesa AZ. (Phoenix) Posts: 1,284	Re: Steering Column Problems (shifter) Might be the steering shaft from the steering box, pushing the shaft up the column from the cab settleing. Might try loosening the clamp or the column and pulling it up a little. Matt __________________ That's U RECK ME FIX it 2 74 Chevy Short Bed 355ci Sportsman II 64cc Angle Plug Crower Custom Grind .462in .486ex Dyno Test 422hp @ 5600 And it's got a Holley 3.73 Gears 12 Bolt 3.73 w/Posi 700R4 Going In I'm a Body Man So There! That's why it's not painted



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