Collapsable steering column? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Lobo'74 · 10-05-2004, 05:42 PM

When did Chevrolet start putting the collapsable steering column in? I have a '67 and wanted to do a tilt column if possible. Since the old one would be replaced what is a closest to an easy bolt in replacement that has the nice safety feature of collapsing when in a collision?

I know, just don't get hit and its not a problem, right?

jmanz69 · 10-05-2004, 07:49 PM

I think our trucks had the colapsable column. My 69 had the 2 part shaft in it when I took it out. It's the shaft from the steering box to the bottom of the column. You can see it in the engine compartment.

68w/sbc406 · 10-05-2004, 07:54 PM

my 68 has a colapsible steering shaft. but when puting in the power steering i couldnt get to move for the life of me

jmanz69 · 10-05-2004, 07:57 PM

By colapsable they mean it will colapse on impact, not move to suit your needs. You will have to break the plastic rivets that hold it up, then drive it down to the size you want. It's a PITA.

Longhorn Man · 10-05-2004, 08:28 PM

Acording to what i have read, and the few 67/68 trucks I have seen, it started in 69.
To do a tilt, you'd need the column naturally, and then the intermediate shaft. The one between the gear box and the column it's self. If you go with a van unit, you have to colapse it a couple inches to make it fit. Real easy to do, with the intermedeate shaft removed, stand it on end then pick it straight up a foot or so, and let it drop. that should break the nylon inserts. There is no reason to install new ones, it will do absolutly no good and a waste of time to do so. (I've heard many say it is needed) Your shaft will still have the colapsable feature, but it won't colapse as far.

68w/sbc406 · 10-05-2004, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmanz69

By colapsable they mean it will colapse on impact, not move to suit your needs. You will have to break the plastic rivets that hold it up, then drive it down to the size you want. It's a PITA.

believe me i didnt ask nicely. i drilled out the nylon pin things and hit it with a hammer. didnt move.

junkyardjohn · 10-06-2004, 12:59 AM

HIT IT HARDER... IT'LL MOVE. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO HAMMER THE SNOT OUT OF IT.

JOHN

2wdBlazer · 10-06-2004, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junkyardjohn

HIT IT HARDER... IT'LL MOVE. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO HAMMER THE SNOT OUT OF IT.

JOHN

I heated mine with a propane torch and the rivits bubbled out. A slight tap of the hammer after that and its like butter. Note to self, don't pick up steering shaft with ands after you heat it.

ouch.

68w/sbc406 · 10-06-2004, 09:41 PM

thats like dont pick up that bolt that you just cut off right?

purple gas · 10-10-2004, 09:57 PM

I just smacked mine on the floor,, several times,ok,, quite a few times, and it moved enough to fit.

Tx Firefighter · 10-10-2004, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purple gas

I just smacked mine on the floor,, several times,ok,, quite a few times, and it moved enough to fit.

Weren't you the guy who posted this morning about your intermediate shaft being too long causing not enough belly room?

purple gas · 10-10-2004, 10:43 PM

yup, that was me,, when I get answers to questions, I act on them,,, thanks fer the tip

10-05-2004, 05:42 PM	#1
Lobo'74 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 404	Collapsable steering column? When did Chevrolet start putting the collapsable steering column in? I have a '67 and wanted to do a tilt column if possible. Since the old one would be replaced what is a closest to an easy bolt in replacement that has the nice safety feature of collapsing when in a collision? I know, just don't get hit and its not a problem, right? __________________ "Truck" '67 small window '79 350 .030 over, LT1 "clone"

10-05-2004, 07:54 PM	#3
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	my 68 has a colapsible steering shaft. but when puting in the power steering i couldnt get to move for the life of me __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

10-06-2004, 12:59 AM	#7
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,425	HIT IT HARDER... IT'LL MOVE. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO HAMMER THE SNOT OUT OF IT. JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

10-06-2004, 09:41 PM	#9
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	thats like dont pick up that bolt that you just cut off right? __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

10-05-2004, 07:49 PM	#2
jmanz69 Careful, they attack... Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Waterford, MI, USA Posts: 1,107	I think our trucks had the colapsable column. My 69 had the 2 part shaft in it when I took it out. It's the shaft from the steering box to the bottom of the column. You can see it in the engine compartment.

10-05-2004, 07:57 PM	#4
jmanz69 Careful, they attack... Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Waterford, MI, USA Posts: 1,107	By colapsable they mean it will colapse on impact, not move to suit your needs. You will have to break the plastic rivets that hold it up, then drive it down to the size you want. It's a PITA.

10-05-2004, 08:28 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Acording to what i have read, and the few 67/68 trucks I have seen, it started in 69. To do a tilt, you'd need the column naturally, and then the intermediate shaft. The one between the gear box and the column it's self. If you go with a van unit, you have to colapse it a couple inches to make it fit. Real easy to do, with the intermedeate shaft removed, stand it on end then pick it straight up a foot or so, and let it drop. that should break the nylon inserts. There is no reason to install new ones, it will do absolutly no good and a waste of time to do so. (I've heard many say it is needed) Your shaft will still have the colapsable feature, but it won't colapse as far.

10-10-2004, 09:57 PM	#10
purple gas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: saskatoon, planet earth Posts: 694	I just smacked mine on the floor,, several times,ok,, quite a few times, and it moved enough to fit.

10-10-2004, 10:43 PM	#12
purple gas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: saskatoon, planet earth Posts: 694	yup, that was me,, when I get answers to questions, I act on them,,, thanks fer the tip



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