C3 Steering Problem

[don justham]

The steering in my 1970 is real loose. Let me explain; When you grab the steering wheel and move it without actual turning it moves up and down and side to side as if the whole column is loose. Just a lot of play without turning the wheel. ANy ideas as to the problem and how to fix? Thanks

[Tony H.]

Re: C3 Steering Problem

The bolts that attach the column in place may be loose. There are two bolts that fasten the column near the dash and I think another two bolts near the pedals. Find them and put a wrench to them and see if this fixes the problem.

[Charles S.]

Re: C3 Steering Problem

Don,
You didn't mention if the car has the tilt/tele option. If it does, and the column tightening doesn't solve the problem, you may be up against a more major repair/solution. I had the same symptoms in '70 years ago after hitting a curb while skidding on black ice. There was undetected damage done to the steering column/ steering system. I don't remember the fix as it was done under insurance and I don't have any of the paperwork now (darn it).
Hope you're not suffering from a serious shark bite!
STW

[Jack H.]

Re: C3 Steering Problem

If this is a T-Tele column, you have the typical 'fat American' syndrome. Folks used the columns to HOIST themselves up & out of the low Shark cars--an egress assist handle.

The internal housing that does the tilt function is pot metal and rides/rotates on two screw-in shaft bearings. Continued 'abuse' of dragging the driver's body up/out of the car results in the steering column's internal tilt housing growing 'wallowed out' bearing holes resulting in varying degrees of 'slop' in the wheel to column. You can usually tell by articulating the wheel and seeing the degree of slop is WORSE in the 10:00 to 4:00 direction (in line with exiting the car and using the steering wheel as a 'handle' to hoist your body up and out).

This internal housing component has long been GM discontinued. There are two basic approaches that professional steering column rebuilders use to address the issue: (1) R&R the worn original Corvette column upper housing replacing it with an unworn original from a similar passenger car column, (2) drill out the enlongated tilt bearing holes in the worn Corvette upper housing and install custom fabricated short sleeves made from harder material like SS. Figure the going rate for a T-Tele column restoration/overhaul runs $175-350 depending on who you use and what part are needed, and that's when you pull the column and hand it to 'em....