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STEERING 9-25
\
£$&+
SIGNAL SWITCH
^ ^-BEARING
UPPER FLANGE^
HOUSING
COVER
»,
ESCUTCHEON
"^^^^^fr
Fig.
51-Assembling Upper End
13.
If necessary, remove two seals from lower end I.D.
of jacket.
14.
If necessary, unwrap mesh cover from jacket.
Assembly—Standard Corvette Column (Fig. 49)
RING KIT V
INNER SEaiON-n 1
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3
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'^p|§
• • ; ''•'- "; ' '-'""••-•• ••'•. " . ; /
W- - V: -: ';'^ /
W ^-RI^G KIT
OUTER SECTION
Fig.
52—Tolerance Ring Kit—First Adjustment
14.
Touch the outer surface of the tolerance ring kit at
several locations with a hot soldering iron to melt
the threads of the inner and outer ring sections
together.
1.
4.
5.
6.
of lithium soap grease to all 15. Place turn signal switch lever in position and secure
10.
11.
12.
13.
Apply a thin coating
friction surfaces.
If seals were removed from lower end I.D. of jacket,
cement two new seals into position.
If lower bearing assembly was removed, press new
lower bearing into position at lower end of mast
jacket.
Slide thrust washer, tolerance ring kit, plunger, and
new kit spring into position from top of steering
shaft.
Install flange and flange bolt on lower end of steering
shaft.
Carefully slide steering shaft into lower end of mast
jacket.
Assemble upper bearing housing and turn signal
switch into cover and secure entire assembly to mast
jacket upper flange with three signal switch mounting
screws as shown in Figure 51.
Feed turn signal switch wires through escutcheon.
Slide escutcheon and upper assembly onto upper end
of column. Secure upper flange to column with three
mounting bolts.
Screw tolerance ring kit sections together leaving
enough inner edge exposed for later adjustment (fig.
52).
Slide wave washer, thrust washer, and "C" retaining
ring loosely into place at top of shaft.
Complete installation of "C" retaining ring using
snap ring installer Tool J-22659 as shown in Figure
50.
Be sure retaining ring is completely seated into
steering shaft groove.
Remove any remaining looseness from internal col-
umn stack-up by unscrewing inner tolerance ring kit
section; then screw inner kit section back in 1/8 to
1/4 turn. See Figure 53.
with screw. Screw hazard warning knob into position.
16.
Pull signal switch wires flat against column, install
wiring protector, and slide escutcheon into position.
17.
If mesh cover was removed, wrap mesh cover around
mesh portion of mast jacket and secure with friction
or electricians tape.
18.
Install spring and cancelling cam on end of shaft.
RING KIT
OUTER SECTION
fig.
53-Tolerance Ring Kit-Final Adjustment
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL
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STEERING
9-26
Fig.
54—Corvette Telescoping Column—Exploded View
1.
Wiring Protector
2.
Screw
3. Screw
4. Turn Signal Switch
5. Upper Bearing
Housing
6. Signal Switch Cover
7. Escutcheon
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
8.
Mast Jacket
9. Bumper
Key
Bumper
Bumper Key Strap
Steering Wheel Nut
Upper Bearing Preload
Spring
15.
Cancelling Cam
16.
Retaining Ring
17.
Thrust Washer
18.
Wave Washer
19.
Retainer
20.
Bearing
21.
Spring
22.
Washer
23. Retaining Ring
24.
Lower Steering
Shaft
25.
Upper Steering
Shaft
26.
Locking
Rod
27.
Wedge
Disassembly—Corvette Telescoping Column (Fig. 54).
1.
Place column on a suitable work bench.,
2.
Remove upper bearing preload spring and cancelling
cam from end of shaft.
3.
Remove turn signal lever retaining screw and re-
move lever. Push hazard warning knob in; unscrew
and remove knob.
4.
Remove upper retaining ring from upper steering
shaft using a screwdriver. Remove thrust washer
and wave washer. -
5. Remove three- screws from the lower bearing
retainer.
6. Carefully slide steering shaft assembly out of lower
end of mast jacket.
7. Remove flange bolt and flange from lower end of
shaft. -
CAUTION: Use caution when removing the low-
er retaining ring in the following step. The lower
bearing washer is under load from the com-
pressed spring and could cause injury when the
lower retaining ring is removed.
8. Carefully remove lower retaining ring as shown in
Figure 55. Remove washer* spring, packing, and
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL
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STEERING 9-27
Fig.
55— Removing Lower Bearing Retaining Ring
bearing assembly from lower end of shaft.
9. Push upper steering shaft section into lower section
until spring pin is visible at pin access hole in lower
section. Drive out spring pin.
10.
Remove upper shaft section from lower section. If
necessary, replace locking wedge and locking rod at
this time.
11.
Remove bumper key strap (fig. 56). Remove keys and
bumper assembly.
12.
Remove screws securing bottom of wiring protector
to column.
13.
Slide inner jacket section, switch cover, switch,
upper bearing housing, wiring protector, and es-
cutcheon off top end of jacket.
14.
If necessary, remove three turn signal switch mount-
ing screws and remove switch and upper bearing
housing.
15.
If necessary, remove seals from I.D. of mast jacket.
16.
If necessary, unwrap mesh cover from jacket.
Assembly—Corvette Telescoping Column (Fig. 54)
1.
Apply a thin coating of lithium soap grease to all
friction surfaces.
2.
If seals were removed from I.D. of mast jacket,
cement new seals in positions where old seals were
removed.
3.
Place locking wedge and locking rod into upper shaft
and slide upper shaft into lower shaft.
4.
Align upper and lower shafts and insert spring pin
into access hole.
5. Install bearing, packing, spring, washer, and retain-
ing ring on bottom of steering shaft. Seat the re-
taining ring into the steering shaft groove with a
screwdriver.
6. Carefully slide steering shaft into lower end of mast
jacket.
7. Install bearing retainer over lower end of shaft and
lower end of jacket. Secure retainer with three
screws.
8. Install flange and flange bolt on lower end of steering
shaft.
9. Feed wires of turn signal switch through turn signal
switch cover and escutcheon, and place switch and
upper bearing housing in cover. Secure switch to
cover with three mounting screws.
10.
Place wiring protector inside escutcheon.
11.
Start escutcheon and wiring protector, with signal
switch wires, over end of outer jacket.
12.
Slide inner jacket section into outer jacket section.
13.
Secure switch cover to flange of inner jacket section
by tightening the signal switch mounting screws.
14.
Secure the bottom of the wiring protector to the col-
umn with two screws.
15.
Assemble keys and bumper and place the entire as-
sembly in position in the jacket. Install bumper key
strap.
16.
Slide wave washer, thrust washer, and upper retain-
ing ring into place at top of shaft. Seat retaining ring
in steering shaft groove with a screwdriver.
17.
Place turn signal switch lever in position and secure
with screw. Screw hazard warning knob into position.
18.
If mesh cover was removed, wrap mesh cover around
mesh section of jacket and secure with electricians
or friction tape.
19.
Slide cancelling cam and upper bearing preload
spring over top end of shaft.
Installation
NOTE:
Before placing column in position in
vehicle, refer to figures 19 through 23 and slide
dash panel seals, covers, plates, and clamps
loosely into position on column for later
installation.
1.
Move front seat back as far as possible to provide
Fig.
56—Removing Bumper Key Strap
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL
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STEERING 9-28
WEDGE SHIM
2.
Fig.
57—Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket—Chevrolet
maximum clearance. Carefully work column into po-
sition in vehicle and at steering gear. If column is
equipped with lower shift levers, mechanic at engine
can pilot levers through dash panel opening as col-
umn is lowered into position.
NOTE:
Install instrument panel column mount-
ing bracket loosely as instructed in applicable
step below. Bracket is not to be tightened se-
curely until after steering coupling is connected.
Chevrolet only (fig. 57):
Lay retainers and wedge shims in position on in-
strument panel column mounting bracket and place
bracket in correct position on underside of instru-
3.
4.
Fig.
59—Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket—Chevy
ment panel. Loosely install.bracket using bracket to
column mounting screws and bracket nuts.
Chevelle only (fig. 58):
Lay wedge shim in position on instrument
column mounting bracket and place bracket
rect position on underside of instrument
Loosely install bracket using bracket to
mounting bolts, bracket nuts, and bracket to
ment panel washer and bolt as shown in
Chevy n only (fig. 59):
Lay wedge shims in position on instrument
Fig.
58—Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket—Chevelle
Fig.
60—Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket—Comoro
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL
panel
in cor-
panel.
column
instru-
58.
Figure
panel
Page 469 of 659

STEERING 9-29
column mounting bracket, and place bracket in cor-
rect position on underside of instrument panel.
Loosely install bracket using bracket to column
mounting screws and bracket to instrument panel
washers and bolts.
NOTE: Steering shaft to gear clamp must be
tightened before column attaching bolts are
torqued. Refer to "Steering Gear-Chevy n",
installation procedure, for correct Chevy II
steering column alignment procedure.
5.
Camaro only (fig. 60):
Lay wedge shim in position on instrument panel
column mounting bracket and place bracket in cor-
rect position on underside of instrument panel.
Loosely install bracket using bracket to column
mounting screws, nuts, and washer and bolt as shown
in Figure 60.
6. Corvette only (fig. 61):
Loosely secure column mounting bracket to sup-
port plate and instrument panel with washers and
bolts.
7.
Secure flanged end of column to steering coupling
with lockwashers and nuts. On Chevy n, connect col-
umn to steering gear with clamp, clamp bolt, and
nut. On Corvette, slide steering shaft flange into
lower coupling
half,
and install upper clamp bolt
loosely; also secure support, seal and clamp loosely
at dash on engine side.
8. Tighten instrument panel mounting bracket bolts and
nuts.
Refer to torque specifications at rear of manual
for correct torque values.
9. Chevrolet only (fig. 15):
Place upper and lower mast jacket covers in po-
sition and secure covers together and to instrument
panel using nuts and screws as shown in Figure 15.
10.
Chevy H only (fig. 18):
Place lower mast jacket cover in position under
mast jacket and secure to upper cover with screws.
11.
CheveUe only (fig. 15):
Place mast jacket trim cover in position over col-
Fig.
61—Instrument Panel Mounting Bracket and
Support Plqte—Corvette
umn on underside of instrument panel and secure
with screws.
12.
Corvette only (fig. 14):
Slide escutcheon into position at instrument panel
and secure with screws. Place upper end lower
covers in position and secure with screws.
13.
On Chevrolet and CheveUe models with column
mounted powerglide controls, secure transmission
shift indicator pointer into position with set screw
(fig. 15). ,
14.
Chevrolet only (fig. 19):
a. Secure seal and cover to dash panel with screws.
b.
Place clamp assembly in position and install
clamp screw.
c. Install dash panel trim cover with mounting
screws.
15.
Chevelle only (fig. 20):
a. Secure seal and inner and outer covers to dash
panel with screws.
b.
Secure inner and outer covers together with
screws.
c. Install trim cover to dash panel with two
retainers.
16.
Chevy H only (fig. 21):
a. Secure seal, retainer, and clamp to dash panel
with screws.
b.
Install clamp screw.
c. Slide collar into position. Pinch and staple upper
tabs together.
17.
Camaro only (fig. 22):
a. Secure seal, upper cover, and lower cover to
dash panel with screws.
b.
Secure upper and lower cover together with
screws.
c. Fold rubber boot over securely against dash panel
to conceal covers.
18.
Corvette only (fig. 23):
a. Secure seal and support assembly to dash panel
on engine compartment side.
b.
Tighten clamp, washer, and clamp bolt on engine
compartment side.
19.
Connect transmission linkage to lower shift tube
levers in engine compartment, if column is so
equipped. Adjust levers as outlined in Section 7.
20.
Install steering wheel as outlined in this section.
21.
Connect directional signal, horn, back-up lamp, and
neutral start switch at wiring harness plugs. Adjust
back-up lamp, neutral start switch as outlined in
Section 12.
22.
Adjust steering gear and align and center steering
wheel as outlined in this section.
STEERING LINKAGE (Fig. 62)
TIE RODS
There are two tie rod assemblies used on all models.
Each assembly is of three piece construction, consisting
of a sleeve and two tie rod ends. The ends are threaded
into the sleeve and locked with clamps. Right and left
hand threads are provided to facilitate toe-in adjustment
and steering gear centering.
The tie rod ends are self-adjusting for wear and re-
quire no attention in service other than periodic lubrica-
tion and occasional inspection to see that ball studs are
tight. Replacement of tie rod ends should be made when
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL
Page 470 of 659
STEERING 9-30
CHEVROLET
CHEVELLE
CHEVII
CAMARO
CORVETTE
Fig.
62—Steering Linkage
excessive up and down motion is evident or if any lost
motion or end play at ball end of stud exists.
Removal
1.
Remove cotter pins from ball studs and remove
castellated nuts.
2.
To remove outer ball stud, tap on steering arm at
tie rod end with a hammer while using a heavy
hammer or similar tool as a backing (Fig. 63). If
necessary pull downward on tie rod to remove from
steering arm.
3.
Remove inner ball stud from relay rod using same
procedure as described in Step 2.
4.
To remove tie rod ends from tie rods loosen clamp
bolts and unscrew end assemblies.
Installation
1.
If the tie rod ends were removed, lubricate the tie
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL
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STEERING 9-31
Fig.
63—Freeing Ball Stud
rod threads with EP Chassis lube and install ends on
tie rod making sure both ends are threaded ah equal
distance from the tie rod.
2.
Make sure that threads on ball stud and in ball stud
nuts are perfectly clean and smooth. Install neoprene
seals on ball studs.
NOTE: If threads are not clean and smooth,
ball studs may turn in tie rod ends when at-
tempting to tighten nut.
3.
Install ball studs in steering arms and relay rod.
4.
Install ball stud nut, and install cotter pins. Lubri-
cate tie rod ends.
5.
Adjust toe-in as described in Section 3.
NOTE: Before locking clamp bolts on the rods,
make sure that the tie rod ends are in alignment
with their ball studs (each ball joint is in the
center of its travel). If the tie rod is not in
alignment with the studs, binding will result.
RELAY ROD-ALL MODELS EXCEPT CORVETTE
Removal
1.
Remove inner ends of tie rods from relay rod as
described under Tie Rod - Removal.
2.
Remove cotter pin and nut from relay rod ball stud
attachment at pitman arm.
3.
Detach relay rod from pitman arm. Shift steering
linkage as required to free pitman arm from relay
rod.
4.
Remove cotter pin and nut from idler arm and re-
move relay rod from idler arm.
Installation
1.
Install relay rod to idler arm, making certain idler
stud seal is in place, then install and tighten nut.
Advance nut just enough to align castellation with
cotter pin hole and install pin.
2.
Raise end of rod and install on pitman arm. Secure
with nut and cotter pin.
3.
Install tie rod ends to relay rod as previously
described under Tie Rods. Lubricate tie rod ends.
4.
Adjust toe-in (see Section 3) and align steering wheel
as described previously in this section under Steer-
ing Wheel Alignment and High Point Centering.
RELAY ROD-CORVETTE
Removal
1.
Remove steering damper from relay rod as outlined
under Steering Damper-Removal. Remove anchor
bracket from relay rod by disconnecting two mount-
ing bolts.
2.
Remove inner ends of tie rods from relay rod as
described under Tie Rod--Removal.
3.
Remove cotter pin from end of relay rod at pitman
arm ball stud attachment, and remove stud nut.
4.
Tap brJl stud out of pitman arm and lower relay rod.
5.
Remove cotter key and nut from idler arm and re-
move relay rod from idler arm. Remove washer and
seal from idler arm.
Installation
1.
Place relay rod on idler arm stud, making certain
idler stud seal and washer are in place, then install
and tighten nut. Advance nut just enough to align
castellation with cotter pin hole and install pin.
2.
Install new seal and clamp over ball at end of pitman
arm.
3.
Install inner spring seat and spring to relay rod.
4.
Raise end of rod and install on pitman arm.
5.
Install spring seat, spring, and end plug.
6. Tighten end plug until springs are compressed and
plug bottoms, then back off 3/4 turn plug amount
necessary to insert cotter pin. Insert cotter pin to
lock adjustment.
7.
Install tie rod ends to relay rod as previously de-
scribed under Tie Rods.
8. Lubricate tie rod ends and pitman arm to relay rod
ball joint.
9. Install steering damper bracket and tighten bolts.
Install damper as outlined under Steering Damper--
Installation.
10.
Adjust toe-in and align steering wheel as described
previously in this section.
IDLER ARM
Chevrolet, Chevelle, Comoro, and Corvette (Fig. 62)
Removal
1.
Remove idler arm to frame nut, washer, and bolt.
No washer is used on Corvette.
2.
Remove cotter pin and nut from idler arm to relay
rod ball stud.
3.
Remove relay rod from idler arm by tapping relay
rod with a hammer using a heavy hammer as a
backing.
4.
Remove idler arm.
Installation
1.
On Chevrolet, place seal in position on idler arm
stud; position stud up through frame, and secure with
lock washer and nut.
2.
On Chevelle, Camaro, and Corvette, position idler
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL
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STEERING
9-32
arm on frame and install mounting bolts, washers
and nuts. No washer is used on Corvette.
Install relay rod to idler arm, ^making certain seal
is on stud. Install and tighten nut.
Install cotter pin.
Refer to torque specifications at rear of manual for'
correct torque values.
Chevy II (Fig. 62}
Removal
1.
Remove cotter pin, nut and washer securing idler
arm to relay rod.
2.
Remove relay rod from idler arm.
3.
If equipped with power steering disconnect power
cylinder shaft from idler arm bracket.
4.
Remove three idler bracket to frame bolts and nuts
and remove bracket and idler arm assembly.
5.
Remove cotter pin, nut, washer and bolt securing the
idler arm to the bracket.
6. Press out the idler arm bushing for replacement.
Installation
NOTE: Installation must be done with front
wheels straight ahead or the car will lead to one
side.
1.
Install idler arm bushing, if previously removed.
NOTE: Make certain the outer sleeve of the
bushing does not protrude above surface of idler
arm.
2.
Reverse removal procedure and torque all nuts ac-
cording to specifications.
PITMAN ARM
Removal
1.
Remove cotter pin from pitman arm ball stud and
remove nut.
2.
Remove relay rod from pitman arm by tapping on
side of rod or arm in which the stud mounts with a
hammer while using a heavy hammer or similar tool
as a backing. Pull down on relay rod to remove
from stud.
3.
Remove pitman arm nut from sector shaft and mark
relation of arm position to shaft.
4.
Remove pitman arm with Tool J-6632 as shown in
Figure 2.
Installation
1.
Install pitman arm on sector shaft, lining up the
• marks made upon removal.
2.
Install sector shaft nut.
3.
Position relay rod on to pitman arm. Install nut.
Continue to tighten arm enough to align castellation
with hole in stud and install cotter pin.
STEERING ARM
If, through collision or other damage, it becomes nec-
essary to remove and replace either steering arm, pro-
ceed as follows:
Removal
1.
Remove tie rod from steering arm as outlined in this
section.
2.
Remove front wheel, hub and brake drum as a unit
by removing hub cap and dust cap, cotter pin from
spindle nut and the spindle nut. Pull assembly to-
ward outside of vehicle. If removal is difficult, it
may be necessary to back off brake adjustment to
increase brake shoe-to-drum clearance; see Hy-
draulic Brake Adjustment, Section 5. On models
with disc brakes, remove caliper and disc.
3.
With wheel and drum assembly or caliper and disc
removed, steering arm retaining bolt heads are ac-
cessible and removal of steering arm from vehicle
may be accomplished by removing retaining nuts.
Installation
1.
Place steering arm in position on vehicle and install
retaining bolts*
2.
Install nuts. Use only the special locknut listed for
this use in the Chevrolet Parts Catalog.
3.
Pack wheel bearings using a high quality wheel
bearing lubricant. Install bearings and wheel-hub-
brake drum assembly removed previously. On disc
brake models, install disc and caliper.
4.
Install keyed washer and spindle nut. Proceed as out-
lined under t{ Front Wheel Bearing Adjustment" in
Section 3.
5.
Install tie rod ball stud in steering arm. Be sure that
the dust cover is in place on ball stud.
6. Install castellated nut on ball stud, tighten securely
and install cotter pin.
7.
Following directions given in Section 3 to check cor-
nering wheel relationship and toe-in; correct as
required.
STEERING DAMPER-CORVETTE
Removal
1.
Remove bolt from damper pivot bracket at relay rod.
2.
Remove nut from damper pivot at frame bracket and
withdraw damper assembly.
Damper is serviced as a unit. Replace damper if
3.
damaged or excessively worn.
Installation
1.
Place piston rod end into frame bracket and install
retainers, bushings, and nut.
2.
Insert cylinder end pivot into relay rod bracket and
install through bolt.
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL