3spd column help

[shifty]

Hey, I have a 3spd column on my '68. The column is really plain and I want to dtrip the 3spd stuff off it and remove the collapsbile part of the shaft to refurb it, but I need some help.

Here is a big picture of what I'm working with:

http://satellitehead.com/images/68ch...swap%20017.jpg

How do I take that middle piece (intermediate shaft?) off? Where it connects to the column near the 3spd linkage, there's a thick washer that seems to be spring loaded. How do I get that off without it flying off and how do I get it back on?

Any tips on removal and reinstallation are appreciated.

[Green Machine]

You need to remove the whole column from the truck to operate on it. You will need to start at the rag joint at the steeering box and disconnect that and everything conneted or holding it in and remove it from the truck.

[shifty]

rag joint is already off

ok, so, forget i mentioned the 3spd stuff removal. how do i get that intermediate shaft or whatever out? there seems to be a spring-loaded washer or something at the cab end of that shaft.

[junkyardjohn]

THERE IS A BOLT (ABOUT 3/8") HOLDING THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT TO THE SPLINED AREA OF THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT. PRETTY WELL SELF-EXPLANITORY. JOHN

[l1n1b1]

Shifty,
I just did this this past weekend. If you have manual steering, the steering shaft will be one piece; you'll have to remove the steering wheel and the whole shaft will slide out the bottom. May be tricky getting it by the gearbox if it is still on. I left the shaft attached to the manual gearbox & removed the whole shootin' match because I was converting to power steering.

Now, if you already have power steering, the steering shaft is two piece. You'll need to remove the bolt that John mentioned, spead open the clamp that the bolt went through, & take a hammer and tap on the "universal joint" just below that big flat washer & spring. Don't worry, ther's not that much tension on the spring. The steering shaft will seperate at the clamp you spread apart.

Hope this helps!!!!
Bryan

[shifty]

Ok, I'm not seeing a splined area. I see the bolt+clamp in question, a thick body style washer and a spring with heavy tension pushing the washer into the clamp.

[l1n1b1]

Is it manual or power steering?

[shifty]

manual

i'm converting to power right now w/the LS1/T56 swap. the rag joint end is disassembled, plastic rivets are removed and shaft is half-collapsed. just looking at the assembly and was asking in chat about how to detach that top end without that spring+washer going flying and nobody knew. it's not obvious what's underneath there, so i was looking for some answers from someone who's been there and done that.

it might seem simple, but i've never done it before and i am not the kinda person that just loosens up bolts when tensioned springs are involved. things like that break teeth (ball joints), send parts flying (lost) or make something impossible to put back together (which looks like what would happen in this case).

[l1n1b1]

Okay, if it is the original manual steering in the 68, pull off your steering wheel and the whole shaft will drop out the bottom of the column housing. Be prepared, that thing is loooooooong! All the washer & spring does is hold a little pressure against the shaft bearing in the lower portion of the column housing....

[shifty]

Cool. So, the bracket holding the column to the firewall doesn't need to be removed?

[junkyardjohn]

Originally Posted by shifty

manual
it might seem simple, but i've never done it before and i am not the kinda person that just loosens up bolts when tensioned springs are involved. things like that break teeth (ball joints), send parts flying (lost) or make something impossible to put back together (which looks like what would happen in this case).

AW GO AHEAD SHIFTY.. IT WON'T COME FLYING OUT... HONEST !! JOHN

[l1n1b1]

That's a negative.....Now just to make sure I'm reading you right, all you want to do at this point is to remove the actual steering shaft, correct? If so, it's just like I said. Btw, I don't think you'll be able to use your original shaft when converting to power steering. I had to use the 2 piece shaft that came with the gearbox out of a 69....Slipped right into place...
Bryan

[Bob Moore]

Shifty - everything has to be removed. The bracket on the firewall, the bracket down on the floor where the column goes through from the cab, the rag joint, etc. It will be much easier to remove the column if you also remove the steering wheel. The one piece shaft you pictured is a pain. If you are changing to PS I would recommend using the 2 piece with intermediate shaft.

Hope this helps - Bob

[shifty]

Originally Posted by l1n1b1

That's a negative.....Now just to make sure I'm reading you right, all you want to do at this point is to remove the actual steering shaft, correct? If so, it's just like I said. Btw, I don't think you'll be able to use your original shaft when converting to power steering. I had to use the 2 piece shaft that came with the gearbox out of a 69....Slipped right into place...
Bryan

Mine matches right up - but I collapsed the shaft to get the new gearbox in and now I need to expand it and it's stuck...so I'm gonna rework it a bit...

[shifty]

Originally Posted by junkyardjohn

AW GO AHEAD SHIFTY.. IT WON'T COME FLYING OUT... HONEST !! JOHN

i loosened up the bolt. nothing happened. here's a picture:

[woodridge]

Shifty, that is a one piece shaft, the spring only holds a few #'s of presure on the lower bearing. As sd above remove the steering wheel and it will slide out the bottom. To remove the column, cowl braket and seal must be removed. Good luck!

[shifty]

What is the purpose of that clamp then? How do I tighten it back up?

Should I just replace the damn column?

[junkyardjohn]

Originally Posted by shifty

What is the purpose of that clamp then? How do I tighten it back up?

Should I just replace the damn column?

SHIFTY .. NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO REPLACE YOUR STEERING COLLUMN WITH A VAN TILT COLLUMN. YOU CAN USUALLY PICK ONE UP AT A JUNK YARD FOR ABOUT $40 OR $50. IT'S A PRETTY EASY & WORTHWHILE UPGRADE, & YOU GOT MOST OF THE WORK ALLREADY DONE. JOHN