http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-c...Corvette-Std-Strg-Column-DR2-Rev03SE20121.pdf
https://www.google.com/search?q=1968+corvette+steering+column+diagram&tbm=isch&source=iu&pf=m&ictx=1&fir=VPCuWgb6aPWVpM%3A%2C3r5XM7a_Qhd8JM%2C_&usg=__aNXOaoQkEokvMAVQtCrAvdOrTkA=&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjT6O_zg87XAhVJNSYKHcrTAQoQ9QEIOjAJ#imgrc=VPCuWgb6aPWVpM:
https://www.corvettepartsworldwide.com/Corvette_Parts_C3_68_75_Steering_Column_s/386.htm
https://www.ecklerscorvette.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=1968+corvette+steering+column&x=16&y=16
http://www.zip-corvette.com/68-82-c3/steering-systems.html
1
Last Revision: 03SE2012
1967 (Late) - 1968 CORVETTE STANDARD (NON-ADJUSTABL
E)
STEERING COLUMN DISASSEMBLY & REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS
PAPER #2
Disassembly and Repair Instructions Addressed in th
is Paper
Degree of Difficulty Page
DROP OR REMOVE STEERING COLUMN FROM VEHICLE Modera
te
2 & 3
REPLACE LOWER COLUMN BEARING
Moderate
4 & 5
STEERING SHAFT LENGTH CHECK
Moderate
5
STEERING COLUMN ALIGNMENT CHECKS
Easy
8
How the Paper is Setup
There are a limited number of standard steering col
umn service procedures that are
addressed in this paper. This paper starts at the
point where the steering wheel and horn
parts are already removed from the steering column.
These procedures were described in
detail in 1967-68 Corvette Standard (Non-Adjustable
) Steering Column Disassembly &
Repair (D&R) Paper #1. The turn signal switch and
upper bearing are still intact on the
column.
This paper includes drawings of the steering column
installations for the two specific
years. It also contains a corrected steering colum
n blowup drawing that was also
included in D&R Paper #1.
Types of Steering Columns Addressed in this Paper
The 1967 Corvette standard steering column is inclu
ded in this paper because it is so
close in design to the 1968 C3 model.
However, they will not interchange because they
have different attachment points under the dash. S
o we are really looking at unique, one
year only steering columns. Therefore, parts are v
ery rare (and expensive.)
Please note that I believe that the instructions in
the 1967 and/or 1968 Chevrolet Chassis
Service Manuals are confusing at best. The 1967 ma
nual does not reflect the revised
lower bearing design that was introduced early duri
ng 1967 production. The 1968
manual confuses 1967 lower column attaching procedu
res with the new 1968 design.
The 1967-68 Corvette steering columns (and 1967, 68
, 69 Corvair) were quite unique
from the rest of the General Motors columns in that
the steering column jackets were
smaller in diameter than any other Saginaw steering
columns (for just those years.) They
are also unique in that they use virtually no parts
from earlier years nor do they use any
parts from the second generation, function locking
steering columns that followed in
1969. Specifically this paper covers the 1967 (Lat
e) and 1968 Corvette standard steering
columns that are quite similar to each other and us
e several common parts.
All part numbers in parenthesis ( ) refer to Steeri
ng Column Mounting Pics on page 3.
All part numbers beginning with # refer to the Stee
ring Column Blowup on page 4.
2
The 1967 model year saw the introduction of the Gen
eral Motors first generation, energy
absorbing, collapsible steering columns. Right aft
er the very start of production the
lower steering column bearing was revised and a cla
mp, nut, and bolt were added to
retain the bearing in place. This is why we identi
fy the steering shaft and lower bearing
parts for the 1967 Corvette in this paper as being
(Late) revisions. They were the same as
the 1968 lower bearing parts.
A Words of Caution:
To maintain the energy absorbing function of the st
eering column, always replace screws,
bolts, and nuts with identical fasteners as specifi
ed.
Disconnect your car’s battery
whenever you work on the steering column.
Instructions for Dropping and/or Removing the Steer
ing Column
In order to replace the lower steering column beari
ng the steering column first must be
removed from the car.
Upper End
1967 – The steering column has two separate plastic
covers and a collar called an
escutcheon. The covers attach together with screws
. Remove the covers and detach the
escutcheon from the instrument cluster. (Picture i
ncluded in D&R Paper #1, Page 3.)
1968
- Remove the fasteners and the four plastic covers
that enclose the upper end of the
steering column. Remove the four fasteners and the
closeout panel that is underneath the
column. (Picture included in D&R Paper #1, Page 4.
)
1967-68 All
Detach air ducts, crossover bars, and any other das
h components that prevent the steering
column from dropping straight down from the instrum
ent panel structure. Disconnect the
steering column curved turn signal switch connector
from the body harness.
3
Dropping and/or Removing the Steering Column (Conti
nued)
Lower End Mounting – 1967
Remove the clamp bolt (5) and washer (6) from the
support assembly (1) on the engine compartment side
of
the lower dash panel. You should be able to pry th
e
clamp open sufficiently to be able to clear the thu
mb
bumps on the lower end of the steering column.
Use a crayon or piece of chalk to mark the orientat
ion of
the steering column shaft to the steering column fl
ange.
Remove pinch bolt (7) from the steering column flan
ge
and spring the flange open with a large screwdriver
.
Lower End Mounting – 1968
If you have a manual transmission, you may find a f
airly
heavy clutch pedal spring attached to support (A) a
nd to
the Z-bar. You should detach one end of the spring
at
this time.
Hint!
Detach the clutch pedal rod from the
Z-bar. This will allow the Z-bar to rotate rearwar
d and
take some tension off the spring.
Use a crayon or piece of chalk to mark the orientat
ion of
the steering column shaft to the steering column fl
ange.
Remove pinch bolt (J) from the steering column flan
ge.
Spring the flange open with a large screwdriver. G
o
back inside the car and remove two screws (K).
Column Removal Procedures 1967-68
Note: The steering column flange is shown loose fr
om
the flexible coupling in both of the above mounting
pictures. However, in order to
remove the steering column from the car I do not th
ink that it needs to be detached from
the flexible coupling. For one thing I am quite su
re that the steering column flange is too
large to fit through the holes in support plates 19
67 (1) or 1968 (A). Therefore my
removal procedure detaches the steering column shaf
t directly from that flange (leaving
the flange attached to the flexible coupling assemb
ly.)
Unfasten the three vertical bolts & washers 1967 (8
& 9) or bolts 1968 (H) that hold the
column up into the dash.
NEVER
just remove the three vertical main mounting bolts
that hold the steering column up into the dash and
let the column “hang” by the
attachments at the flexible coupling and the plates
and fasteners on the lower dash panel.
Letting the column “hang” in that manner puts very
high loads on the steering column
jacket and the lower bearing.
Now pull the column straight back, disconnecting th
e column shaft from the steering
column flange.
4
Remove and Replace the Lower Bearing
Now that the steering column is out of the car, pla
ce it on a suitable workbench. Do not
use a bench vise to clamp around the steering colum
n mast jacket. It is actually quite
fragile. Clamp on the heavy column mounting bracke
t. Do not clamp on the aluminum
capsules.
The following bearing replacement procedures should
be straight forward AS LONG AS
THE PARTS ARE NOT ALL CORRODED TOGETHER. If you fi
nd a lot of corrosion
on your lower column parts, it is a good idea to so
ak them in penetrating oil for a day or
two before trying to remove them.
Option 1 – Remove Lower Bearing with Steering Shaft
In Place
The Chassis Service Manuals are unclear as to exact
ly how to remove the lower column
bearing #5 for service. The bearing case is a pres
s fit to the mast jacket #3. It is possible
that just removing the lower bolt, nut, and clamp #
19, the spacer #18, packing #17, spring
#16 and washer 7802124 may allow sufficient access
to be able to pull the bearing from
the lower end of the mast jacket and slide if off t
he steering shaft #20. So I would
suggest trying this approach first. Note there is
a spring seat 262141 and spring #21
behind the seal. Do not lose them. Also note the
orientation of the spring seat.
Option 2 – Remove Lower Bearing and Steering Shaft
Through Lower End
Remove the c-clip retaining ring #13, the thrust wa
sher #14 and the wave washer #15.
Push the steering shaft down through the mast jacke
t. When it comes out, the lower
bearing and all the associated parts will come with
it.
5
Option 2 – Remove Lower Bearing and Steering Shaft
(Continued)
Remove the nut, bolt, & clamp #19, the spacer #18,
packing #17, spring #16, washer
7802124, and the lower bearing #5. Behind the lowe
r bearing will be the spring seat
262474 and another spring #21. Make note of the or
ientation of the spring seat.
Locating a Replacement Lower Bearing
The 1967 (late) and 1968 Corvette standard steering
columns use a lower bearing that is
unique to just those two years. (Possibly the ener
gy absorbing Corvair steering column
(1967, 68, & 69) may use the same lower bearing as
well.)
I have found the lower bearing at this location.
Doc Rebuild
www.docrebuild.com
1-800-866-9362
67Late-68 Lower Shaft Bearing #6521138
Guide Bushing Lubrication
There is reference on the blowup picture to a plast
ic guide bushing that is up inside the
mast jacket. While the lower bearing and steering
shaft are out of the mast jacket, now is
a good time to lubricate that bushing. It should b
e a light press fit and located about 8.7
inches (1967) or 7.6 inches (1968) up inside the me
sh section of the mast jacket from the
lower end. You want to apply some lithium based ch
assis grease to the bushing.
Steering Shaft Checks
The overall length of the steering shaft assembly (
for both years) should be 37.49 inches.
The steering shaft assembly consists of two pieces.
A solid upper shaft where the
steering wheel hub attaches and a tubular lower sha
ft where the steering column flange
attaches. They are held together by injected plast
ic. If the plastic has been sheared and
the overall length of the steering shaft assembly m
easures less (or more) than 37.49
inches you might consider pulling the shafts apart
and reassembling them with a dab of
epoxy glue on the solid upper shaft in the area of
the injected plastic.
With respect to pulling the steering shafts apart,
you will probably find that they only
extend so far but then abruptly will not pull apart
any further. It is probable that the solid
upper shaft had the end inside the assembly staked
over. With the shaft assembly out of
the steering column you may need to “slam pull” the
two shafts to peen over the stake
and get the two shaft to slide apart. To provide f
or an easier reassembly of the two shafts
use a file to manicure the stake on the solid shaft
after it is apart.
Now is a good time to check that the index (or chis
el) mark on the very end of the upper
shaft is aligned with the notch that is machined ac
ross the splines on the lower shaft.
6
Lower Bearing Installation
All -
Apply a thin coating of a good lithium based chassi
s grease to all friction surfaces as
you reassemble the column parts.
The steering column assembly drawings have a note t
hat indicates that with the steering
shaft in the straight ahead position (notch on lowe
r end of the steering shaft at 12
o’clock); the clamp bolt should be vertical, passin
g through the 3 o’clock position, with
the nut on top (same as clamp shown on page #2). I
cannot think of a functional reason
why the clamp has to be orientated but all of the d
rawings are specific to this
requirement.
Option 1 – Lower Bearing Reassembly (Steering Shaft
In Place)
Slide a new bearing up the steering shaft and light
ly tap it into the mast jacket. It is a
press fit. Install washer (7802124), spring #16, p
acking #17, spacer #18, and clamp, bolt,
& nut #19 on the end of the steering shaft. Press
the clamp up against washer 7802124 or
until spring #16 is compressed to its solid height.
Tighten clamp nut to 30 ft-lbs.
Option 2 – Lower Bearing Reassembly - Install Steer
ing Shaft Through Lower End
Slide the steering shaft up into the mast jacket un
til the round wire retaining ring
5694191 on the shaft stops against the upper bearin
g. Slide the spring #21 and the spring
seat (262474) onto the steering shaft. Did you rem
ember the orientation of the spring
seat? (The end of the seat that rides on the steer
ing shaft must be seated against the inner
race of the bearing assembly.) Slide the lower bea
ring onto the steering shaft and tap it
into place. Install the washer (7802124), spring #
16, packing #17, spacer #18, and clamp,
bolt, & nut #19 on the end of the steering shaft.
Loosely tighten the nut to hold the parts
in place.
Reinstall the wave washer #15, thrust washer #14, a
nd the c-clip retaining ring #13 on the
upper end. Make sure that the c-clip is fully seat
ed in steering shaft groove.
Loosen the clamp nut #19 and press the clamp up aga
inst washer 7802124 or until spring
#16 is compressed to its solid height. Orient the
clamp and tighten nut to 30 ft-lbs.
Steering Column Installation
This paper assumes that the steering column was cor
rectly installed and positioned into
the car previous to it being removed for repair.
Therefore the original position of the
1967 support plate (3) and 1968 bracket (B) and sup
port plate (D) would correctly locate
the upper end of the steering column.
Steering column to instrument cluster gapping proce
dures can be found in the AIM or
other chassis service manuals if needed.
Also, it is best to have someone positioned out und
er the hood to assist in aligning and
installing the steering column shaft into the flexi
ble coupling on the gear.
7
Steering Column Installation – 1967
If previously removed, loosely secure the seal (11)
and support plate (1) to the engine
side of the dash panel with two screws. Otherwise
loosen the two screws that hold the
support plate to the dash.
Feed the lower end of the steering column through t
he dash. Make sure that the clamp
part of the support assembly is between the two thu
mb bumps on the lower end of the
steering column jacket. Insert the steering shaft
into the flange on the flexible coupling
assembly. Make sure that you align the paint or ch
alk marks on the flange and steering
column shaft for correct orientation of the parts.
Loosely install the pinch bolt (7) into
the flange.
Slide the escutcheon into position on the instrumen
t cluster. Allow the lower dash panel
attachment to float as you secure the steering colu
mn into the dash with the three vertical
bolts (8) and washers (9). Torque the bolts to 20
ft-lbs.
Secure the seal and support assembly to the dash pa
nel on the engine compartment side
by tightening the two screws to 13 ft-lbs.
Tighten the bolt and washer to clamp the lower end
of the steering column to the support
assembly. Tighten the bolt to 13 ft-lbs. Tighten
the pinch bolt to 30 ft-lbs on the steering
column flange that is part of the flexible coupling
assembly.
Steering Column Installation - 1968
Install gasket (G) into toe plate on the steering c
olumn.
Hold support assembly (A) to dash panel on the engi
ne side of the dash panel. Carefully
insert the steering column through the hole in the
dash panel and the support assembly.
Insert the steering shaft into the flange on the fl
exible coupling assembly. Make sure that
you align the paint or chalk marks on the flange an
d steering column shaft for correct
orientation of the parts. Loosely install the pinc
h bolt (J) into the column flange.
Loosely install bolts (K) through the steering colu
mn toe plate and thread them into the
floating nuts that are part of the support assembly
.
Allow the support assembly to float as you secure t
he steering column into the dash with
the three vertical bolts (H). Torque them to 20 ft
-lbs. Secure the support assembly to the
dash panel by tightening the two screws (K) that ar
e inside the car. Torque them to 13 ft-
lbs. Tighten the pinch bolt (J) on the flexible co
upling flange to 30 ft-lbs.
8
Steering Column Installation (Continued)
1967-68 All
– Reattach the curved turn signal switch electrica
l connector to the vehicle
wiring harness. Reconnect ducting and the crossove
r bar.
Refer to Standard Steering Column Disassembly & Rep
air Paper #1 for reinstalling the
steering column covers, turn signal lever, steering
wheel hub assembly, steering wheel,
and horn parts.
Checking for Proper Alignment
Important! The following visual checks should be p
erformed with the vehicle on the
ground. All four wheels of the vehicle should be s
upporting vehicle weight.
Check for distortion in the rubber
flexible coupling disc. The distance
from the underside of the steering
column flange to the metal
reinforcement plate must be within the
dimension shown.
Next visually check that the flexible coupling stop
pins are central in the column flange
slots. Turn the steering wheel one quarter turn an
d recheck the pin to flange centrality. If
the pins are not central, you must loosen the suppo
rt assembly to dash panel and the three
vertical column bolts to allow the column to seek a
position that is not binding. Follow
steering column alignment directions in the AIM or
Chassis Service Manual. Then
recheck the stop pin to flange slot centrality at b
oth steering wheel positions.
Driving checks – Sticking or slow returnability whe
n completing a turn; metallic noise;
or an irregular feel as the steering wheel is turni
ng are conditions which may indicate that
the steering column needs to be readjusted and real
igned
https://www.google.com/search?q=1968+corvette+steering+column+diagram&tbm=isch&source=iu&pf=m&ictx=1&fir=VPCuWgb6aPWVpM%3A%2C3r5XM7a_Qhd8JM%2C_&usg=__aNXOaoQkEokvMAVQtCrAvdOrTkA=&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjT6O_zg87XAhVJNSYKHcrTAQoQ9QEIOjAJ#imgrc=VPCuWgb6aPWVpM:
https://www.corvettepartsworldwide.com/Corvette_Parts_C3_68_75_Steering_Column_s/386.htm
https://www.ecklerscorvette.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=1968+corvette+steering+column&x=16&y=16
http://www.zip-corvette.com/68-82-c3/steering-systems.html
1
Last Revision: 03SE2012
1967 (Late) - 1968 CORVETTE STANDARD (NON-ADJUSTABL
E)
STEERING COLUMN DISASSEMBLY & REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS
PAPER #2
Disassembly and Repair Instructions Addressed in th
is Paper
Degree of Difficulty Page
DROP OR REMOVE STEERING COLUMN FROM VEHICLE Modera
te
2 & 3
REPLACE LOWER COLUMN BEARING
Moderate
4 & 5
STEERING SHAFT LENGTH CHECK
Moderate
5
STEERING COLUMN ALIGNMENT CHECKS
Easy
8
How the Paper is Setup
There are a limited number of standard steering col
umn service procedures that are
addressed in this paper. This paper starts at the
point where the steering wheel and horn
parts are already removed from the steering column.
These procedures were described in
detail in 1967-68 Corvette Standard (Non-Adjustable
) Steering Column Disassembly &
Repair (D&R) Paper #1. The turn signal switch and
upper bearing are still intact on the
column.
This paper includes drawings of the steering column
installations for the two specific
years. It also contains a corrected steering colum
n blowup drawing that was also
included in D&R Paper #1.
Types of Steering Columns Addressed in this Paper
The 1967 Corvette standard steering column is inclu
ded in this paper because it is so
close in design to the 1968 C3 model.
However, they will not interchange because they
have different attachment points under the dash. S
o we are really looking at unique, one
year only steering columns. Therefore, parts are v
ery rare (and expensive.)
Please note that I believe that the instructions in
the 1967 and/or 1968 Chevrolet Chassis
Service Manuals are confusing at best. The 1967 ma
nual does not reflect the revised
lower bearing design that was introduced early duri
ng 1967 production. The 1968
manual confuses 1967 lower column attaching procedu
res with the new 1968 design.
The 1967-68 Corvette steering columns (and 1967, 68
, 69 Corvair) were quite unique
from the rest of the General Motors columns in that
the steering column jackets were
smaller in diameter than any other Saginaw steering
columns (for just those years.) They
are also unique in that they use virtually no parts
from earlier years nor do they use any
parts from the second generation, function locking
steering columns that followed in
1969. Specifically this paper covers the 1967 (Lat
e) and 1968 Corvette standard steering
columns that are quite similar to each other and us
e several common parts.
All part numbers in parenthesis ( ) refer to Steeri
ng Column Mounting Pics on page 3.
All part numbers beginning with # refer to the Stee
ring Column Blowup on page 4.
2
The 1967 model year saw the introduction of the Gen
eral Motors first generation, energy
absorbing, collapsible steering columns. Right aft
er the very start of production the
lower steering column bearing was revised and a cla
mp, nut, and bolt were added to
retain the bearing in place. This is why we identi
fy the steering shaft and lower bearing
parts for the 1967 Corvette in this paper as being
(Late) revisions. They were the same as
the 1968 lower bearing parts.
A Words of Caution:
To maintain the energy absorbing function of the st
eering column, always replace screws,
bolts, and nuts with identical fasteners as specifi
ed.
Disconnect your car’s battery
whenever you work on the steering column.
Instructions for Dropping and/or Removing the Steer
ing Column
In order to replace the lower steering column beari
ng the steering column first must be
removed from the car.
Upper End
1967 – The steering column has two separate plastic
covers and a collar called an
escutcheon. The covers attach together with screws
. Remove the covers and detach the
escutcheon from the instrument cluster. (Picture i
ncluded in D&R Paper #1, Page 3.)
1968
- Remove the fasteners and the four plastic covers
that enclose the upper end of the
steering column. Remove the four fasteners and the
closeout panel that is underneath the
column. (Picture included in D&R Paper #1, Page 4.
)
1967-68 All
Detach air ducts, crossover bars, and any other das
h components that prevent the steering
column from dropping straight down from the instrum
ent panel structure. Disconnect the
steering column curved turn signal switch connector
from the body harness.
3
Dropping and/or Removing the Steering Column (Conti
nued)
Lower End Mounting – 1967
Remove the clamp bolt (5) and washer (6) from the
support assembly (1) on the engine compartment side
of
the lower dash panel. You should be able to pry th
e
clamp open sufficiently to be able to clear the thu
mb
bumps on the lower end of the steering column.
Use a crayon or piece of chalk to mark the orientat
ion of
the steering column shaft to the steering column fl
ange.
Remove pinch bolt (7) from the steering column flan
ge
and spring the flange open with a large screwdriver
.
Lower End Mounting – 1968
If you have a manual transmission, you may find a f
airly
heavy clutch pedal spring attached to support (A) a
nd to
the Z-bar. You should detach one end of the spring
at
this time.
Hint!
Detach the clutch pedal rod from the
Z-bar. This will allow the Z-bar to rotate rearwar
d and
take some tension off the spring.
Use a crayon or piece of chalk to mark the orientat
ion of
the steering column shaft to the steering column fl
ange.
Remove pinch bolt (J) from the steering column flan
ge.
Spring the flange open with a large screwdriver. G
o
back inside the car and remove two screws (K).
Column Removal Procedures 1967-68
Note: The steering column flange is shown loose fr
om
the flexible coupling in both of the above mounting
pictures. However, in order to
remove the steering column from the car I do not th
ink that it needs to be detached from
the flexible coupling. For one thing I am quite su
re that the steering column flange is too
large to fit through the holes in support plates 19
67 (1) or 1968 (A). Therefore my
removal procedure detaches the steering column shaf
t directly from that flange (leaving
the flange attached to the flexible coupling assemb
ly.)
Unfasten the three vertical bolts & washers 1967 (8
& 9) or bolts 1968 (H) that hold the
column up into the dash.
NEVER
just remove the three vertical main mounting bolts
that hold the steering column up into the dash and
let the column “hang” by the
attachments at the flexible coupling and the plates
and fasteners on the lower dash panel.
Letting the column “hang” in that manner puts very
high loads on the steering column
jacket and the lower bearing.
Now pull the column straight back, disconnecting th
e column shaft from the steering
column flange.
4
Remove and Replace the Lower Bearing
Now that the steering column is out of the car, pla
ce it on a suitable workbench. Do not
use a bench vise to clamp around the steering colum
n mast jacket. It is actually quite
fragile. Clamp on the heavy column mounting bracke
t. Do not clamp on the aluminum
capsules.
The following bearing replacement procedures should
be straight forward AS LONG AS
THE PARTS ARE NOT ALL CORRODED TOGETHER. If you fi
nd a lot of corrosion
on your lower column parts, it is a good idea to so
ak them in penetrating oil for a day or
two before trying to remove them.
Option 1 – Remove Lower Bearing with Steering Shaft
In Place
The Chassis Service Manuals are unclear as to exact
ly how to remove the lower column
bearing #5 for service. The bearing case is a pres
s fit to the mast jacket #3. It is possible
that just removing the lower bolt, nut, and clamp #
19, the spacer #18, packing #17, spring
#16 and washer 7802124 may allow sufficient access
to be able to pull the bearing from
the lower end of the mast jacket and slide if off t
he steering shaft #20. So I would
suggest trying this approach first. Note there is
a spring seat 262141 and spring #21
behind the seal. Do not lose them. Also note the
orientation of the spring seat.
Option 2 – Remove Lower Bearing and Steering Shaft
Through Lower End
Remove the c-clip retaining ring #13, the thrust wa
sher #14 and the wave washer #15.
Push the steering shaft down through the mast jacke
t. When it comes out, the lower
bearing and all the associated parts will come with
it.
5
Option 2 – Remove Lower Bearing and Steering Shaft
(Continued)
Remove the nut, bolt, & clamp #19, the spacer #18,
packing #17, spring #16, washer
7802124, and the lower bearing #5. Behind the lowe
r bearing will be the spring seat
262474 and another spring #21. Make note of the or
ientation of the spring seat.
Locating a Replacement Lower Bearing
The 1967 (late) and 1968 Corvette standard steering
columns use a lower bearing that is
unique to just those two years. (Possibly the ener
gy absorbing Corvair steering column
(1967, 68, & 69) may use the same lower bearing as
well.)
I have found the lower bearing at this location.
Doc Rebuild
www.docrebuild.com
1-800-866-9362
67Late-68 Lower Shaft Bearing #6521138
Guide Bushing Lubrication
There is reference on the blowup picture to a plast
ic guide bushing that is up inside the
mast jacket. While the lower bearing and steering
shaft are out of the mast jacket, now is
a good time to lubricate that bushing. It should b
e a light press fit and located about 8.7
inches (1967) or 7.6 inches (1968) up inside the me
sh section of the mast jacket from the
lower end. You want to apply some lithium based ch
assis grease to the bushing.
Steering Shaft Checks
The overall length of the steering shaft assembly (
for both years) should be 37.49 inches.
The steering shaft assembly consists of two pieces.
A solid upper shaft where the
steering wheel hub attaches and a tubular lower sha
ft where the steering column flange
attaches. They are held together by injected plast
ic. If the plastic has been sheared and
the overall length of the steering shaft assembly m
easures less (or more) than 37.49
inches you might consider pulling the shafts apart
and reassembling them with a dab of
epoxy glue on the solid upper shaft in the area of
the injected plastic.
With respect to pulling the steering shafts apart,
you will probably find that they only
extend so far but then abruptly will not pull apart
any further. It is probable that the solid
upper shaft had the end inside the assembly staked
over. With the shaft assembly out of
the steering column you may need to “slam pull” the
two shafts to peen over the stake
and get the two shaft to slide apart. To provide f
or an easier reassembly of the two shafts
use a file to manicure the stake on the solid shaft
after it is apart.
Now is a good time to check that the index (or chis
el) mark on the very end of the upper
shaft is aligned with the notch that is machined ac
ross the splines on the lower shaft.
6
Lower Bearing Installation
All -
Apply a thin coating of a good lithium based chassi
s grease to all friction surfaces as
you reassemble the column parts.
The steering column assembly drawings have a note t
hat indicates that with the steering
shaft in the straight ahead position (notch on lowe
r end of the steering shaft at 12
o’clock); the clamp bolt should be vertical, passin
g through the 3 o’clock position, with
the nut on top (same as clamp shown on page #2). I
cannot think of a functional reason
why the clamp has to be orientated but all of the d
rawings are specific to this
requirement.
Option 1 – Lower Bearing Reassembly (Steering Shaft
In Place)
Slide a new bearing up the steering shaft and light
ly tap it into the mast jacket. It is a
press fit. Install washer (7802124), spring #16, p
acking #17, spacer #18, and clamp, bolt,
& nut #19 on the end of the steering shaft. Press
the clamp up against washer 7802124 or
until spring #16 is compressed to its solid height.
Tighten clamp nut to 30 ft-lbs.
Option 2 – Lower Bearing Reassembly - Install Steer
ing Shaft Through Lower End
Slide the steering shaft up into the mast jacket un
til the round wire retaining ring
5694191 on the shaft stops against the upper bearin
g. Slide the spring #21 and the spring
seat (262474) onto the steering shaft. Did you rem
ember the orientation of the spring
seat? (The end of the seat that rides on the steer
ing shaft must be seated against the inner
race of the bearing assembly.) Slide the lower bea
ring onto the steering shaft and tap it
into place. Install the washer (7802124), spring #
16, packing #17, spacer #18, and clamp,
bolt, & nut #19 on the end of the steering shaft.
Loosely tighten the nut to hold the parts
in place.
Reinstall the wave washer #15, thrust washer #14, a
nd the c-clip retaining ring #13 on the
upper end. Make sure that the c-clip is fully seat
ed in steering shaft groove.
Loosen the clamp nut #19 and press the clamp up aga
inst washer 7802124 or until spring
#16 is compressed to its solid height. Orient the
clamp and tighten nut to 30 ft-lbs.
Steering Column Installation
This paper assumes that the steering column was cor
rectly installed and positioned into
the car previous to it being removed for repair.
Therefore the original position of the
1967 support plate (3) and 1968 bracket (B) and sup
port plate (D) would correctly locate
the upper end of the steering column.
Steering column to instrument cluster gapping proce
dures can be found in the AIM or
other chassis service manuals if needed.
Also, it is best to have someone positioned out und
er the hood to assist in aligning and
installing the steering column shaft into the flexi
ble coupling on the gear.
7
Steering Column Installation – 1967
If previously removed, loosely secure the seal (11)
and support plate (1) to the engine
side of the dash panel with two screws. Otherwise
loosen the two screws that hold the
support plate to the dash.
Feed the lower end of the steering column through t
he dash. Make sure that the clamp
part of the support assembly is between the two thu
mb bumps on the lower end of the
steering column jacket. Insert the steering shaft
into the flange on the flexible coupling
assembly. Make sure that you align the paint or ch
alk marks on the flange and steering
column shaft for correct orientation of the parts.
Loosely install the pinch bolt (7) into
the flange.
Slide the escutcheon into position on the instrumen
t cluster. Allow the lower dash panel
attachment to float as you secure the steering colu
mn into the dash with the three vertical
bolts (8) and washers (9). Torque the bolts to 20
ft-lbs.
Secure the seal and support assembly to the dash pa
nel on the engine compartment side
by tightening the two screws to 13 ft-lbs.
Tighten the bolt and washer to clamp the lower end
of the steering column to the support
assembly. Tighten the bolt to 13 ft-lbs. Tighten
the pinch bolt to 30 ft-lbs on the steering
column flange that is part of the flexible coupling
assembly.
Steering Column Installation - 1968
Install gasket (G) into toe plate on the steering c
olumn.
Hold support assembly (A) to dash panel on the engi
ne side of the dash panel. Carefully
insert the steering column through the hole in the
dash panel and the support assembly.
Insert the steering shaft into the flange on the fl
exible coupling assembly. Make sure that
you align the paint or chalk marks on the flange an
d steering column shaft for correct
orientation of the parts. Loosely install the pinc
h bolt (J) into the column flange.
Loosely install bolts (K) through the steering colu
mn toe plate and thread them into the
floating nuts that are part of the support assembly
.
Allow the support assembly to float as you secure t
he steering column into the dash with
the three vertical bolts (H). Torque them to 20 ft
-lbs. Secure the support assembly to the
dash panel by tightening the two screws (K) that ar
e inside the car. Torque them to 13 ft-
lbs. Tighten the pinch bolt (J) on the flexible co
upling flange to 30 ft-lbs.
8
Steering Column Installation (Continued)
1967-68 All
– Reattach the curved turn signal switch electrica
l connector to the vehicle
wiring harness. Reconnect ducting and the crossove
r bar.
Refer to Standard Steering Column Disassembly & Rep
air Paper #1 for reinstalling the
steering column covers, turn signal lever, steering
wheel hub assembly, steering wheel,
and horn parts.
Checking for Proper Alignment
Important! The following visual checks should be p
erformed with the vehicle on the
ground. All four wheels of the vehicle should be s
upporting vehicle weight.
Check for distortion in the rubber
flexible coupling disc. The distance
from the underside of the steering
column flange to the metal
reinforcement plate must be within the
dimension shown.
Next visually check that the flexible coupling stop
pins are central in the column flange
slots. Turn the steering wheel one quarter turn an
d recheck the pin to flange centrality. If
the pins are not central, you must loosen the suppo
rt assembly to dash panel and the three
vertical column bolts to allow the column to seek a
position that is not binding. Follow
steering column alignment directions in the AIM or
Chassis Service Manual. Then
recheck the stop pin to flange slot centrality at b
oth steering wheel positions.
Driving checks – Sticking or slow returnability whe
n completing a turn; metallic noise;
or an irregular feel as the steering wheel is turni
ng are conditions which may indicate that
the steering column needs to be readjusted and real
igned