Deadmans steering collum

[Pieter Kanitz]

Hi there all,
A question about the most dangerous part of the C1, the deadmeans steering collum, to be poked on in case of accident!

Does anybody know what the proper adjustment is, or how the adjustment of the steering transmission of the c1 should be done. There is a screw with lock nut at the side of the steering box, you can twist it a whole turn left or right, but i just can't find out what difference it makes. And if all is proper adjusted would that mean that there isn't any play in the transmission left, or will you always be put up with a little play, just as the axxial play in rear axels?? (poor engineering i would think.)

thanks in advance

[Richard M.]

Re:Deadmans steering collum

Pieter,

Ther are 2 adjustments. The small adjustment screw is to take up lash(play) between the sector roller and worm gear. The giant nut and lock ring at the end of the box is to adjust the worm gear end play. There is a detailed procedure in the C1 Corvette Service Guide(section 9). Chances are, your sector roller and worm are worn. I'd guess that if you adjust the screw to take up the lash when wheel is at center, when you turn wheel off center, you get play. This is common on the C1, and early passenger car steering as well. The design is prone to get noticeable play as the roller wears even slightly.

Be careful when adjusting. Make sure wheels are off the ground, or disconnect the steering link from the pitman arm, and do not turn wheel to end stops, or you could lock-up and damage the sector roller. Adjust big nut (with wheel at center) to give about 3/8 to 5/8 lbs pull at the steering wheel outer rim using a scale(or rough it by feel). Adjust small screw to give about 7/8 to 1 7/8 lbs pull. If after all this, you may see a slight difference. Just be cautious things are not too tight. If you want it perfect, you'll have to buy new gear and roller(at much cost), but you have to pull the assy out to replace.

As far as the danger in an accident, I've always been fearfull of this solid column design. I always try to remember to "fall to the right to get away from the wheel" if I should have enough time to react. Hope it never happens.

Hope it helped,
Rich

[Pieter Kanitz]

Re:Deadmans steering collum

Thanks Rich,

I've taken the column out of the car a few years ago and doing the rebuild yesterday and today, as far as you described i did it all yesterday, accept for the small screw, i didn't know exact what to do with it.
I'm rechecking the play again, so I have to PULL the small screw, in other words to twist the screw so that it comes out! (backwards of the housing) with a little torque on it, (just a little) my torque wrench starts higher than your described 7/8 1 7/8 so i'll do it carefully. than lock it with the nut.
In the center steering position the play should be gone(or almost), and you'll get a little play if you turn but thats normal!?

Is this what you're saying, Rich?

thanks

[Richard M.]

Re:Deadmans steering collum

Pieter,

Yes the screw actually has a round machined head on it on the inside. It rides inside a channel at the end of the sector shaft, so it'll grip both ways when turning the screw. There are actually shims inside, at the end of the head of this screw to take up internal play of the connection.

So the tension is not with a torque wrench, it's actually measured using a scale when pulling the outer steering wheel rim. You could use a fish weight scale I guess. I think that's what I used(20 years ago when I did mine).And yes the play will be greater off center as things wear out.

It would really help if you got the procedure. I don't have a flat scanner, otherwise I'd forward you the pages. The pics would help too. Maybe someone else could send them to you. I higly recommend you get the book for reference. The NCRS store has them or sometimes on the web.

Rich

[John M.]

Re: Deadmans steering collum

Pieter,

A properly adjusted steering box should bind slightly as it goes past center. They were machined with this in mind. If you can not notice this "high" spot on the worm, then it is probably worn out. There were more steering gears worn out by improper adjustment procedures than wear alone would have ever caused.
A lot of guys adjusted the sector roller tighter trying to tighten up the steering, when it was actually kingpins or some other issue. If the sector is too tight, it will wear through the surface hardening on the gear, and then it is all downhill from there.

Regards, John McGraw