Steering column problem - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Yukon Jack** · 09-21-2004, 05:33 PM

In this pic of the steering column on my 70 K5 the area indicated by the area should be about 1" up. I was told this is the a race and there should be bearings.

Does anyone know what is involved in repairing this problem?

Am I correct in assuming the vehicle shouldn't be driven with this problem?

landon4421 · 09-21-2004, 05:37 PM

Picture is kind of dark.

But I would say you could probally drive it ! Hell I have for a few months now ! I would like the answer to this question as well !

ljbear · 09-21-2004, 05:42 PM

Mark,

There is supposed to be a bearing there. Still available through GM, part #3981935, about $25 retail. I think it's also available aftermarket. Driving that way probably isn't the best/safest thing, but I've seen many like that going down the road.

I stood outside last night waiting/listening for that thing to fire, looks like it may be cold this weekend

**Yukon Jack** · 09-21-2004, 05:50 PM

Dang battery was too dead to fire the engine - will be picking up a replacement today, yep, it looks like it may be a cold weekend, well, cold for me at least!

cdowns · 09-21-2004, 06:04 PM

hard to tell with the picture being so dark(a cheap clamp anywhere lamp makes pictures better) but yes there's supposed to be a bearing there and there's also supposed to be a spring above the clamp that holds the steering column to the intermediate shaft

71swb4x4 · 09-21-2004, 06:31 PM

I started reassembling my column last night, and there should be a metal retainer held on by a clip, then the bearing, and the bearing should be seated into a large plastic seat. It is real easy to replace.
I have the instructions in my assembly manual if you need them.
Shawn

ljbear · 09-21-2004, 07:51 PM

I'm not sure, but I think the tilt column end has the metal cup and retainer clip you're talking about. As Cdowns mentioned the standard column pictured uses a large washer and spring to keep the bearing in place.

71swb4x4 · 09-21-2004, 08:59 PM

You are right, I didn't even think about that. I should have paid more attention to the other replies.

**Yukon Jack** · 09-21-2004, 09:53 PM

Here's a lightened up photo - this is a photo I took of the engine compartment when I wasn't aware of the problem.

**Yukon Jack** · 09-21-2004, 09:54 PM

I have a three speed manual column I can probably grab parts off of to make this one work - this manual column is for a 4 speed on the floor.

Longhorn Man · 09-21-2004, 10:04 PM

Lots of trucks are like this, there really is no danger in driving it. The steering wheel is still hooked to the gear box with a metal shaft.

09-21-2004, 05:33 PM	#1
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,683	Steering column problem In this pic of the steering column on my 70 K5 the area indicated by the area should be about 1" up. I was told this is the a race and there should be bearings. Does anyone know what is involved in repairing this problem? Am I correct in assuming the vehicle shouldn't be driven with this problem? __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

09-21-2004, 05:37 PM	#2
landon4421 Life is Good ! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hollister, Ca. Posts: 1,992	Picture is kind of dark. But I would say you could probally drive it ! Hell I have for a few months now ! I would like the answer to this question as well ! __________________ '72 Chevy C10 4x4 shortbed "Project" '71 Chevy C10 2wd longbed "partsrunner" '91 Chevy Burb 4x4 "kidrunner" '14 Honda Accord Sport "commuter"

09-21-2004, 05:50 PM	#4
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,683	Dang battery was too dead to fire the engine - will be picking up a replacement today, yep, it looks like it may be a cold weekend, well, cold for me at least! __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

09-21-2004, 06:04 PM	#5
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	hard to tell with the picture being so dark(a cheap clamp anywhere lamp makes pictures better) but yes there's supposed to be a bearing there and there's also supposed to be a spring above the clamp that holds the steering column to the intermediate shaft __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

09-21-2004, 06:31 PM	#6
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	I started reassembling my column last night, and there should be a metal retainer held on by a clip, then the bearing, and the bearing should be seated into a large plastic seat. It is real easy to replace. I have the instructions in my assembly manual if you need them. Shawn __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

09-21-2004, 05:42 PM	#3
ljbear Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Emmett, Idaho Posts: 858	Mark, There is supposed to be a bearing there. Still available through GM, part #3981935, about $25 retail. I think it's also available aftermarket. Driving that way probably isn't the best/safest thing, but I've seen many like that going down the road. I stood outside last night waiting/listening for that thing to fire, looks like it may be cold this weekend __________________ Larry 72 Chevy SWB 4x4 71 Chevy SWB 4x4 My Work Truck "Don't confuse enthusiasm with capability"

09-21-2004, 07:51 PM	#7
ljbear Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Emmett, Idaho Posts: 858	I'm not sure, but I think the tilt column end has the metal cup and retainer clip you're talking about. As Cdowns mentioned the standard column pictured uses a large washer and spring to keep the bearing in place. __________________ Larry 72 Chevy SWB 4x4 71 Chevy SWB 4x4 My Work Truck "Don't confuse enthusiasm with capability"

09-21-2004, 08:59 PM	#8
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	You are right, I didn't even think about that. I should have paid more attention to the other replies. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

09-21-2004, 09:53 PM	#9
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,683	Here's a lightened up photo - this is a photo I took of the engine compartment when I wasn't aware of the problem. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

09-21-2004, 09:54 PM	#10
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,683	I have a three speed manual column I can probably grab parts off of to make this one work - this manual column is for a 4 speed on the floor. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

09-21-2004, 10:04 PM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Lots of trucks are like this, there really is no danger in driving it. The steering wheel is still hooked to the gear box with a metal shaft.



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