1972 Tilt Column housing removal

[72K20SUBN]

Hello All,

I'm attempting to remove the housing off the 1972 Chevy Suburban Tilt so that I can replace the wiring, gaskets, and repaint before reinstalling into vehicle.

In order to fully dissassemble, I need to get to the tilt pivot pins, but the outer shroud (housing) covers these pins. It appears the outer shroud would simply pull off, as I don't see any screws/pins/snaps holding it in place. But there is some unknown force that I can't see holding it down tightly.

Has anyone had experience in dissassembling and removing this piece? If so, I could really use some pointers on this.

Thanks much.

[29od1]

Take your time and be patient. They're tight fitting. You may be able to take a puller and hook under the inner lip and tap with a rubber mallet to remove it. No special trick that I know of, just patience and perseverance.
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[john]

I used a piece of wood. Just a small piece of lath in one of the holes and a rap with a small hammer and it will pop off.

[med.bronze]

I used to do this in similar ways as mentioned above until I got a service manual and got all the Kent-Moore tools to rebuild an entire column. This is the one that removes the cover. I got it on ebay for around 15 bucks and it works great.

[sjarrett71]

I've used a small gear puller and was real careful. Didn't damage it at all.

[hugger6933]

Take a pick or a small screwdriver and make almost a scoring action around the bottom of the collar where it is pressed onto the column. It will have dirt gunk and all kinds os stuff there at the mating surface and that will act as a binder.Also there are a couple of small slots in a couple of locations around the column under the collar and after going around it several times you can pry ever so gently in those tabs to see if it gives any. All the while at the top you can pull upp on the collar from the edges I used my fingers but I have big hands and they are pretty strong. I have the service man. here if you need me to look up the kent moore tool number for you send me a pm and I'll do that. I have pulled 2 or 3 in the manner in that I've described, and I think the key is the pick and scoring around the collar first at the bottom. Jim

[29od1]

Originally Posted by med.bronze

I used to do this in similar ways as mentioned above until I got a service manual and got all the Kent-Moore tools to rebuild an entire column. This is the one that removes the cover. I got it on ebay for around 15 bucks and it works great.

What's the part number on that tool? That looks like it'd work awesome!
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[med.bronze]

it's j-22708

[med.bronze]

j-22598 will also work, I thinks it's exactly the same but a later part number

[72K20SUBN]

Awesome, thanks for the replies. I've been tied up the last few day's and haven't gotten around to anything, but I like that a correct tool is available for it.

I'll gently try the home-grown techniques, and if I have no luck, I'll then move to a search for that tool.

It still blows my mind how powerful this forum can be!

[ChevyCruizer]

Also try spraying the area around the base of the housing with your favorite penetrating oil. I got mine apart last night pretty easily after soeaking it. I did work from side to side to keep it from kinking/binding.