
STEERING 9-3
Fig.
4-Checking Wheel PuI!-Corvette
c. If torque does not lie within limits given in speci-
fications at rear of manual, adjustment is
necessary.
4.
Corvette and telescopic columns:
a. Use Tool J-5178 to measure.pull at rim of wheel
required to keep wheel in motion (fig. 4).
b.
If pull does not lie within limits given in specifi-
cations in rear of manual, adjustment of worm
bearings is necessary.
NOTE:
If vehicle is equipped with a tilt steer-
ing column, it will be necessary to disconnect
the steering coupling to obtain a torque reading
of the steering column. This torque should then
be subtracted from any reading taken on the
gear.
5. To adjust worm bearings, loosen worm bearing ad-
juster locknut and turn worm bearing adjuster shown
in Figure 3 until there is no perceptible end play in
worm. Check pull at steering wheel, readjusting: if
necessary to obtain proper pull. Tighten locknut and
recheck pull. If the gear feels "lumpy" after adjust-
ment of worm bearings, there is probably damage in
the bearings due to severe impact or to improper
adjustment and the gear must be disassembled for
replacement of damaged parts.
6. After proper adjustment of worm is obtained and all
mounting bolts securely tightened, adjust lash ad-
juster screw. First turn the steering wheel gently
from one stop all the way to the other, carefully
counting the total number of turns. Then turn wheel
back exactly half way, to center position. Turn lash
adjuster screw clockwise to take out all lash in gear
teeth, and tighten locknut. Check pull at steering
wheel taking highest reading as wheel is turned
through center position. See specifications in rear of
manual for proper sector lash adjustment. Readjust
if necessary to obtain proper pull.
NOT MORE THAN
T/a INCH FROM
CENTERLINE
Fig.
5—Steering Wheel Alignment
NOTE:
If maximum specification is exceeded,
turn las£ adjuster screw counterclockwise, then
come up on adjustment by turning the adjuster in
a clockwise motion.
7. Tighten locknut then recheck pull, as it must lie be-
tween specified readings.
Fig.
6—Adjusting Steering Ratio—Corvette
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

STEERING 9-4
8. Reassemble pitman arm to sector shaft, lining up
marks made during disassembly. Refer to torque
specifications at rear of manual for correct torque
value.
9. Install horn cap or ornament and connect steering
column harness at chassis connector.
NOTE:
Chevy.n models are equipped with a
shim at the frame to steering gear mounting
bolts.
Shims may be removed or installed as
required for proper steering gear alignment.
STEERING WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND
HIGH POINT CENTERING
1.
Set front wheels in straight ahead position. This can
be checked by driving vehicle a short distance on a
flat surface to determine steering wheel position at
which vehicle follows a straight path.
2.
With front wheels set straight ahead, check position
of mark on wormshaft designating steering gear high
point. This mark should be at the top side of the shaft
at 12 o'clock position and lined up with the mark in
the coupling lower clamp.
3.
If gear has been moved off high point when setting
wheels in straight ahead position, loosen adjusting
sleeve clamps on both left and right hand tie rods,
then turn both sleeves an equal number of turns in
the same direction to bring gear back on high point.
CAUTION: Turning the sleeves an unequal
number of turns or in differential directions will
disturb the toe-in setting of the wheels.
4.
Readjust toe-in as outlined in Section 3 (if necessary).
5. With wheels in a straight ahead position and the
steering gear on highpoint, check the steering wheel
alignment by measuring the distance from each hori-
zontal spoke to the horizontal centerline of the
steering wheel (fig. 5). If the horizontal spokes are
over 1-1/8 inches from the horizontal position the
wheel should be removed and centered. (See steering
wheel removal in this section.)
TOE-IN ADJUSTMENT
Adjust the steering linkage for proper toe-in setting as
outlined in Section 3.
CORVETTE STEERING RATIO (Fig. 6)
The Corvette steering ratio may be changed as follows:
CAUTION: Do not use the rearward hole in the
steering arm with power steering equipment or
interference may result.
1.
Remove tie rod ball stud nut at steering arm and
disconnect tie rod from steering arm.
2.
Move tie rod end to forward hole for 17.6:1 ratio
(fast ratio) or rear hole for 20.2:1 ratio (standard
ratio).
3.
Install tie rod stud nut and tighten securely. Repeat
operation on opposite steering arm.
COMPONENT REPLACEMENT AND REPAIRS
STEERING WHEEL
REGULAR PRODUCTION (Fig. 7)
Removal
1.
Disconnect steering column harness from chassis
wiring harness at connector (fig. 8).
2.
Pull out horn button cap or center ornament and
retainer.
3.
Remove three screws from the receiving cup.
4.
Remove the receiving cup, belleville spring, bushing,
and pivot ring.
5. Remove the steering wheel nut and washer.
6. Using Tool J-2927, install centering adapter on
steering shaft, thread puller anchor screws into
threaded holes provided in steering wheel. Turn
center bolt of tool clockwise to remove steering
wheel (fig. 9).
Installation
CAUTION: Direction signal control assembly
must be in "neutral position when assembling
steering wheel to prevent damage to cancelling
cam and control assembly.
1.
With directional cancelling cam and horn contact as-
sembly in place, set wheel onto steering shaft.
Fig. 7—-Regular Wheel and Horn Attachments
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

STEERING 9-5
Fig.
8—Steering Column Wiring Connector
Secure with washer and nut. Refer to torque speci-
fications at rear of manual for correct torque values.
Install belleville spring (with dish of spring up), pivot
ring, bushing and receiving cup with screws.
Install retainer and horn button cap or center
ornament.
Connect steering column harness to chassis wiring
connector.
Fig.
9—Removing Steering Wheel with J-2927
Fig.
10—Simulated Wood Steering Wheel and Attaching Parts
SIMULATED WOOD (Fig. 10)
Removal
1.
Disconnect steering column harness from chassis
wiring harness at connector.
2.
Remove horn cap assembly by pulling up.
3.
Remove contact assembly attaching screws and re-
move contact assembly.
NOTE:
If steering wheel only is to be replaced,
perform step 4. If directional signal cancelling
cam is to be replaced, omit step 4 and proceed
with steps 5 and 6.
4.
Remove remaining screws from steering wheel and
remove wheel from hub assembly.
5. Remove steering wheel nut and washer.
6. Using Tool J-2927, install centering adapter on
steering shaft, thread puller anchor screws into
threaded holes provided in hub assembly. Turn
center bolt of tool clockwise to remove hub
assembly.
Installation
CAUTION: Directional signal control assembly
must be in neutral position when assembling hub
assembly to prevent damage to cancelling cam
and control assembly.
1.
With directional cancelling cam and horn contact in
place, install hub assembly on steering shaft. Secure
with washer and nut. Refer to torque specifications
at rear of manual for correct torque value.
2.
Attach steering wheel to hub assembly using the six
attaching screws and tighten securely.
3.
Place horn contact on steering wheel and attach with
three screws. Tighten securely.
4.
Snap horn button in place.
5. Connect steering column harness to chassis wiring
connector.
CORVETTE TELESCOPING (Fig. 11)
Removal
1.
Disconnect steering column harness at wiring
connector.
2.
Pry off horn button cap.
3.
Remove three screws securing horn contact to spacer
and hub.
4.
Remove two screws securing lock screw to lock
knob,
and remove lock screw, lock knob, and spacer.
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

STEERING 9-6
Fig.
11
—Corvette Telescoping Wheel Option
5.
7.
NOTE:
If steering wheel only is to be replaced,
perform Step 5 below only. If directional signal
cancelling cam is to be replaced, omit Step 5
and proceed with Steps 6 and 7.
Remove six screws securing steering wheel to hub
and remove wheel.
Remove nut and washer from shaft and using steering
wheel puller Tool J-2927, remove steering wheel and
hub from vehicle.
Slide cancelling cam and spring off shaft.
Installation
NOTE:
Refer to torque specifications at rear of
manual for correct torque values.
1.
If necessary, slide cancelling cam and spring on end
of shaft.
2.
If hub was removed from steering wheel, attach hub
to steering wheel with screws removed during dis-
assembly.
3.
Place steering wheel and hub assembly in position
and secure to column with washer and nut.
4.
Position spacer on steering wheel.
5. Position lock knob on steering wheel.
6. Install lock screw through lock knob, turn into shaft,
and adjust to lock position.
7. Attach spacer to wheel with three screws.
8. Place lock knob in lock position and attach to lock
screw with two screws.
9. Remove three screws holding spacer. Attach horn
contact to spacer and steering wheel with three
screws.
10.
Install horn button cap.
11.
Connect steering column harness at chassis plug.
STEERING COUPLING (Fig. 12)
Removal
NOTE:
Chevy n models are equipped with a
clamp arrangement rather than the conventional
"rag joint" steering coupling. Refer to Steering
Gear - Chevy II, for service procedures.
1.
Remove nuts and washers securing steering coupling
to flanged end of steering column (fig. 12).
2.
Remove coupling clamp bolt (fig. 12) and slightly
spread coupling clamp.
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

STEERING 9-10
SECTOR SHAFT SEAL REPLACEMENT
A faulty seal may be replaced without removal of
steering gear from car by removing pitman arm as out-
lined under Maintenance and Adjustments--Steering Gear
Adjustments and proceed as follows:
1.
Loose lash adjuster lock nut and turn lash adjuster
screw several turns counterclockwise.
2.
Remove three cap screws holding side cover to gear
bushing.
3.
Pull side cover and sector shaft from gear housing
as a unit. Do not separate side cover from sector
shaft.
4.
Pull sector shaft seal from gear housing using
hooked tool or pliers.
5. Coat new seal with chassis grease and position in
sector shaft bore.
6. Place a socket or piece of pipe of suitable diameter
on top of seal and drive seal into bore by tapping
pipe or socket with soft hammer.
7. Install sector shaft side cover assembly, being care-
ful not to damage new seal with splines on end of
shaft; splines may be wrapped with a few turns of
tape to prevent this.
8. Install new side cover gasket and align side cover on
gear housing and install cap screw.
9. Perform steering gear adjustment and install pitman
arm as outlined under Maintenance and Adjustments.
STEERING COLUMN
All models are equipped with new energy absorbing
steering columns. The columns are of five basic designs
as follows:
1.
Syncromesh. The syncromesh column is used on
models with standard, column mounted, conventional
shift levers. The shift tube, within the outer mast
jacket, includes two lower shift levers for connection
to the transmission control linkage.
2.
Automatic and floor shift. This column is used on
models equipped with column mounted powerglide
shift levers, or models with floor shift. If the ve-
hicle has the column mounted powerglide shift con-
trol, the inner shift tube has a single lower shift
lever for connection to the transmission control
linkage. On floor shift models, no lower shift levers
are present on the shift tube.
3.
Tilt wheel option. The upper end and steering shaft
of this column is specially designed to accommodate
the optional tilt steering wheel.
4.
Standard Corvette Column. The standard Corvette
column is similar in design to the Automatic and
Floor Shift column used on other models, except
no shift tube is used. Other differences are pointed
out in the disassembly and assembly procedures for
Standard Corvette column.
5. Telescopic wheel option. The upper end and steering
shaft of this column is specially designed to ac-
commodate the optional telescoping steering wheel.
To perform service procedures on steering column
upper end components, it is not necessary to remove the
column from the vehicle. The steering wheel, horn com-
ponents, turn signal switch, upper housing with bearing,
shift control lever, hazard warning knob, and upper shift
bowl may all be removed with the column remaining in
the vehicle. When servicing the above components, omit
the removal procedure and proceed with the applicable
disassembly procedures. Because of the numerous dif-
ferences in steering column types, be sure to refer to the
set of instructions below which apply to the exact column
to be serviced:
CAUTION: The outer mast jacket, shift tube, _
steering shaft, and instrument panel column
mounting b
racket
are designed as energy ab-
sorbing units. Because of the design of these
components, it is absolutely necessary to handle
the column with care when performing any serv-
ice operation required. Avoid hammering, jar-
ring, dropping, or leaning on any portion of the
column.
Removal
1.
Disconnect steering column harness at connector.
Disconnect neutral safety switch and back-up lamp
switch connectors if so equipped.
Remove steering wheel as outlined in this section.
Remove nuts and washers securing flanged end of
column to steering gear. On Chevy H models, re-
move nut and clamp bolt securing lower end of steer-
ing column to steering gear.
Disconnect transmission control linkage, if so
equipped, from lower column shift tube, levers.
Chevrolet and Chevy II only: Remove screws at-
taching upper and lower mast jacket covers together.
On Chevrolet, remove screws attaching lower cover
to instrument panel (figs. 15 and 18). Remove lower
cover.
Chevelle only: Remove screws securing mast jacket
trim cover to instrument panel and remove cover
(fig. 15).
Corvette, only: Remove screws securing escutcheon
to instrument panel. Remove screws securing upper
and lower covers together and remove covers.
On Chevrolet and Chevelle columns with Powerglide
shift levers, loosen set screw at six o'clock position
at bottom of column and remove the transmission
shift indicator pointer (fig. 15).
9. Chevrolet only (fig. 19):
a. Remove screws securing cover trim to dash
panel and remove cover trim.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Fig.
18—Mast Jacket Cover Attachments—Chevy II
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

STEERING 9-12
1.
Steering Wheel Nut
2i Screw
3. Retaining Ring
4.
Thrust Washer
5. Wave Washer
6. Turn Signal Switch
7. Upper Bearing and
Housing Assembly
8. Cover
Fig.
24—Syncromesh Steering Column—Exploded View
9. Spring
1.0. Lock Ring
11.
Thrust Washer
12.
Shift Lever Spring
13.
Shift Bowl
14.
Shroud
15.
Bearing
16.
Mast Jacket
17.
Flange Plate
18.
Wiring Protector
19.
Shift Tube Assembly
20.
Adapter
21.
Bolt
22.
Reinforcing Ring
23.
Steering Shaft
24.
Bearing
25.
Tolerance Ring Kit
26.
Flange
cover, and seal to dash panel and remove covers.
13.
Corvette only (Fig. 23)
a. Remove clamp bolt and washer from support as-
sembly on engine side of dash panel.
b.
Remove screws securing support assembly and
seal to engine side of dash panel.
14.
Support column and remove screws, nuts, and bolts
securing instrument panel mounting bracket to un-
derside of instrument panel. On Chevrolet, Chevelle,
Camaro, and Chevy II models, remove and retain
wedge shims. On Chevrolet models, remove
retainers.
15.
Move front seat back as far as possible to provide
maximum clearance, and carefully lift column up out
of position and remove from vehicle. If column is
equipped with lower shift levers, mechanic at engine
compartment can pilot levers through dash panel
opening as column is lifted.
Disassembly'—Syncromesh Column (Fig. 24)
1.
Unsnap and remove wiring protector (fig. 25).
CAUTION: Secure column in bench vise for
service one of two ways shown in Figure 26.
Clamping column in vise in any other manner
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

STEERING 9-15
jacket and loosely secure using the three bolts re- 8.
moved during disassembly.
Place a 0.005 maximum shim on each side of the 9.
shaft, between either one of the shift levers and the
spacer (fig. 31). 10.
Using spanner wrench J-22568 installed in spanner
holes in adapter, rotate the.adapter clockwise until
the shift levers are bottomed out (fig. 31). Bottom
the adapter against the jacket while rotating to re-
move end play. 11.
Tighten the three adapter bolts. Remove the two
0.005 shims.
Insert the steering shaft assembly into position
through the lower end of the jacket.
Attach the back-up lamp switch loosely to the jacket
using the same nuts removed during disassembly.
Install these nuts loosely, switch will be tightened to
the jacket when column is installed in vehicle and
shift levers are aligned.
If upper shift lever spring was removed, press a
10 9 8
6 5 4 3 2 1
Fig.
32—Column Mounted Powerglide Lever or Floor Shift Column—Exploded View
1.
Steering Wheel
Nut
2.
Screw
3. Retaining Ring
4.
Thrust Washer
5. Wave Washer
6. Turn Signal Switch
7. Upper Bearing Assembly
8. Cover
9. Spring
10.
Lock Plate
11.
Shift Lever Spring
12.
Bowl
13.
Bearing
14.
Mast Jacket
15.
Wiring Protector
16.
Shift Tube
17.
Washer
18.
Spring
19.
Bearing
20.
Retainer
21.
Steering Shaft
22.
Tolerance Ring
Kit
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

STEERING 9-18
I.D. of the lockplate with the slots in the top of the
jacket.
16.
Lock upper end assembly into position by pushing 18.
down on the cover assembly and rotating assembly
fully clockwise. Tangs on lock plate must engage
slots in jacket. 19.
17.
Tighten three turn signal switch mounting screws in
a gradual criss-cross sequence to avoid cocking the
lockplate.
Screw tolerance ring kit sections together leaving
enough inner edge exposed for later adjustment as
shown in Figure 35.
Slide wave washer and thrust washer over steering
shaft against upper bearing housing.
17 15 13 11 9 7 5 3
34 V33 29 27 26
36 35 32 3130 28
46 45 44 -43 42
Fig.
37—Tilt Steering Column—Exploded View
1.
Cover
2.
Steering Wheel Nut
3. Nut
4.
Seat
5.
Race
6. Screw
7. Turn Signal Switch
8. Bearing Assembly
9. Spring Retainer
10.
Lock Shoe Pin
11.
Shoe
12.
Bearing Housing
13.
Pivot Pin
14.
Shoe Springs
15.
Spring
16.
Release Lever Pivot
Pin
17.
Release Lever
18.
Bearing
19.
Upper Shaft
20.
Spring
21.
Sphere
22.
Wave Washer
23.
Lower Shaft
24.
Tilt Spring
25.
Screw
26.
Support
27.
Lock Shoe Guide
Pin
28.
Stop Plate
29.
Screw
30.
Retainer
31.
Thrust Washer
32.
Lock Plate
33.
Wave Washer
34.
Shift Lever Spring
35.
Shift Bowl
36.
Shroud
37.
Mast Jacket
38.
Dash Seal
39.
Shift Tube Assembly
40.
Adapter
41.
Bearing
42.
Tolerance Ring Kit
43.
Washer
44.
Retaining Ring
45.
Bolt
46.
Flange
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL