
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

STEERING 9-22
Fig.
45—Removing Lock Shoe Retaining Pin Using Tool J-22635
with screws, if plate was removed during dis-
assembly.
On automatic columns, press a new shift lever spring
into bowl, if original spring was removed.
Insert the signal switch wire harness and connector
through the bearing housing and bowl. Retain the
housing and bowl together during remaining assem-
bly. (On columns where signal switch connector can
be inserted through bowl, it is not necessary to re-
Fig.
46—Installing Shift Tube Using Shift Tube
Installer Tool J-22549
tain bearing housing and bowl together.)
8. Slide bowl into top of mast jacket.
9. Place wave washer and lockplate into position. Work
lockplate into notches in jacket by tipping lockplate
toward bowl hub under the top edge of the jacket.
10.
If seals were removed from lower end of shift tube,
cement new seals into place.
11.
Carefully install shift tube in lower end of mast
jacket. On automatic columns, align key way in tube
with key in bowl. Complete installation of shift tube
using shift tube installer Tool J-22549 as shown in
Figure 46. Do not hammer or force tube when in-
stalling in jacket.
12.
Pull up on bowl to compress wave washer and install
thrust washer and shift tube retaining ring.
13.
Insert support into jacket by aligning "V" in support
with "V" notch in jacket. Insert mounting screws
through support into lockpiate and tighten screws.
14.
Align fingers of lower bearing adapter with holes in
jacket and pilot adapter over shift tube. Snap adapter
into place.
15.
Install back-up lamp/neutral start switch on column,
if so equipped, using the same mounting nuts re-
moved during disassembly. Install the switch loose-
ly, it is to be adjusted when column is installed in
the vehicle.
16.
Assemble the steering shaft as follows:
a. Clamp the lower portion of the steering shaft in a
vise with the socket facing upward.
b.
Apply front wheel bearing lube to the centering
spheres and the steering shaft sockets. Assemble
the spheres, with the wave washer in between, and
place the spheres in the upper shaft socket.
c. Turn the spheres so the lower shaft may be in-
stalled over the grooves.
NOTE: The locating marking on the end of the .
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

STEERING
9-24
1.
Upper Flange
2.
Retaining Screws
3.
Mast Jacket
4.
Wiring Protector
5. Bearing
6. Signal Switch
. Screws
7.
Turn Signal Switch
Fig.
49—Standard Corvette Column—Exploded View
8.
Upper Bearing
Housing
9.
Signal Switch Cover
10.
Escutcheon
11.
Steering Wheel Nut
12.
Upper Bearing Preload
Spring
13.
Cancelling Cam
5. Remove "C" retaining ring from upper steering
shaft using snap ring remover Tool J-22569 (fig. 50).
Remove thrust washer and wave washer.
6. Remove three upper flange mounting bolts.
7. Slide upper end assembly with escutcheon off end of
column.
8. If necessary to service upper end components, re-
move the turn signal switch mounting screws. Re-
move the switch and upper bearing housing from
cover.
9. Carefully slide steering shaft assembly out of lower
end of mast jacket.
10.
If necessary, remove lower bearing assembly from
lower end of mast jacket and discard bearing
assembly.
11.
Remove flange bolt and flange from steering shaft.
NOTE:
If the steering shaft assembly, mast
jacket, bearing housing, jacket flange, or lower
bearing assembly has been replaced, the com-
ponent stack-up in the column will be different.
Replace the lower plastic injected tolerance
ring an4 lower bearing preload spring with the
tolerance ring kit.
12.
Slide lower bearing spring, plunger, tolerance ring
and sleeve assembly, and thrust washer off shaft.
14.
Retaining Ring
15.
Thrust Washer
16.
Wave Washer
17.
Spring
18.
Spacer
19.
Washer
20.
Retaining Ring
21.
Steering Shaft
Fig.
50-Removing "C" Ring Retainer Using Tool J-22569
CHEVROLET CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL

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