Telescopic Wheel Will Not Lock Down

[Michael H.]

Somehow I don't think I'm going to like the answer to this inquiry. In the process of restoring my '65 telescopic steering column on the bench, I replaced the lower felt, upper bearing, directional switch, and harness. I didn't replace the lower bearing because frankly I couldn't get it out without breaking something, and it otherwise appeared intact. I cleaned, re-lubed, and painted everything. And I "think" I put everything back together correctly (but maybe I missed something.)

I was pleased that the directional signal and horn worked as I was approaching completion, and the steering wheel turned with no slop. But upon attaching the "star" tele screw (the multi-pronged screw head that screws into the shaft right under the horn button retaining piece), I found that the telescopic wheel won't lock down tight. In other words, even when I tighten the screw, the telescopic upper jacket will continue to slide up and down--it won't "lock down" to prevent it from continuing to slide backwards and forwards. I followed the Assembly Manual instructions in reassembling (or at least I think I did.) I will note that the aforementioned star screw seemed a little tight when I first started screwing it in, and then when it neared its "bottom out" position, it was a lot looser for 2 or 3 turns (for whatever that's worth).

I researched the Archives here with no luck. And Jim Shea's articles seemed to apply to newer vehicles.) I also researched the "other forum," where I finally found one rather cryptic response suggesting that either the upper bearing is broken or I need to turn the inner column (or shaft or something?) 180 degrees. I "think" the upper bearing is not broken, so that leaves the "180 degree" fix, or whatever else you guys come up with (which hopefully would be less intrusive than removing the column from the car and taking everything back apart). In any event, if I need to turn something 180 degrees, can someone please explain what exactly that entails? Thanks as always in advance for whatever assistance you can provide.

Mike H.

[Russ S.]

Re: Telescopic Wheel Will Not Lock Down

I have only done one of these and that was some time ago so this is a stab in the dark , but isn't there a rod that goes into the center shaft which the star bolt presses against? Do you have that rod in place?

[Domenic T.]

Re: Telescopic Wheel Will Not Lock Down

Michael,
I'm doing one today but it's a 67 and I think Russ has the answer. The rod in the center pushes against a I/2 moon that is cut almost in half.
That h makes it about a 1/4 moon. The moon clip slides up a channel that has the same shape. You could say the channel is the female part of the locking and the moon is the male.
The rod forces the moon clip to slide out of the channel and againnt the outer sliding shaft which locks the wheel. On mine the star screw is 5/16 18 thread. If riur star screw is not pushing on the rod hard enough nothing will lock.my star screw is missing and I cann use a 5/16 x 18 bolt screwed into the direct center where the rod is and tighten it to lock the column.
My column is missing parts and so I will locked the wheel temporally while waiting for parts.
When I took the unit apart the I/2 moon clip was stuck solid in grease and wouldn't move. If you suspect that to be the problem then you can pour your favorite lube that frees things up into the hole where the rod is and it will drain Ti the clip. Try and screw the rod down with a bolt o loosen it if you suspect that to be the problem.

Dom

[Page C.]

Re: Telescopic Wheel Will Not Lock Down

Here is a photo of the 1965-66 tele column lock. The tip of the star screw contacts the end of the rod pushing the 1/2 moon to lock the upper shaft to the lower shaft1965-66 Tele Column Lock.jpg

[Michael H.]

Re: Telescopic Wheel Will Not Lock Down

Well, it appears that I am missing the rod against which the star screw Is supposed to press. (At least, I assume I am missing the rod--the quarter inch hole in the shaft is empty!). Any idea where I can obtain a rod? Is it as easy as just inserting the rod into the hole and re-inserting the screw?

[Page C.]

Re: Telescopic Wheel Will Not Lock Down

Hi Michael,
Zip Products 1-800-962-9632 part# SC-348 (tele stop rod) is the number for the rod and list for $6.00. Put a little lube on it and slide it into the hole.
Regards,
Page

[Michael H.]

Re: Telescopic Wheel Will Not Lock Down

Thank you all very much for your responses above (and I apologize if any of these questions seem "dumb."). I have a quick follow-up question. Now that I understand a little better how the telescopic function actually works, and while I await the ordering of a new "tele stop rod" (as I now understand it's called), I decided last night to go out and simply place a long rod into the steering shaft center hold, figuring that even hand pressure would push the "half (or quarter) moon" clip into the channel, thereby locking the column and preventing it from continuing to slide up and down. Suffice to say it didn't work. So I deduce now that either I can't place enough pressure "by hand" on the half moon clip, or maybe someone before me removed not only the tele stop rod, but also the half moon clip. Is this an accurate deduction?

The thing is that when I reassembled everything (sometime back), I don't recall ever seeing a half moon clip, but then again I really didn't get into the internal workings of the shaft. As I recall, I simply slid the inner shaft tube (the one with the collar) into the outer tube, and then of course the main shaft itself up through the center of both tubes. Although there wasn't any overt indication that someone before me had tampered with the internal workings of the shaft, someone obviously had been there before me because again the tele stop rod is missing. What I'm trying to figure out is whether the half moon piece is likely missing too? Is there any way to tell other than to screw in the forthcoming tele stop rod and see then if it works? (I assume that replacing the half moon is a whole lot more involved than simply inserting the new rod and screwing it down.) Thanks again.

[Jim S.]

Re: Telescopic Wheel Will Not Lock Down

I am sure that finger pressure alone will not be sufficient to "lock" the upper and lower steering shafts together.

The early telescoping columns used the "locking rod" and "locking wedge" concept to lock and unlock the upper steering shaft. (This same concept was successfully used on all later Saginaw Tilt & Telescoping columns in the late 60s thru the 1990s.)

When you have the steering column out of the car and the "star" screw removed, the locking rod can easily drop out of the hollow upper shaft and become lost. The locking wedge can only be removed if you disassemble the steering column completely. So you should be lucky and the wedge is most likely in place.

BTW I have information that indicates that the locking rod should be 4.23 inches long by 0.22 inch in diameter. I am not completely sure that this information is correct. I would be interested if the part from Zip matches this information. (I could be wrong.)

The following is a section view of a T&T steering column head. The actual steering columns are much different but hhe locking rod and locking wedge concept is the same. Here you can see how the locking rod tips the wedge to lock and unlock the telescoping feature.



Jim

[Michael H.]

Re: Telescopic Wheel Will Not Lock Down

Thanks very, very much to everyone who took the time to respond to my questions. I was about to remove the steering column from the car and disassemble it again, perhaps unnecessarily. Your replies hopefully are going to save me a LOT of work. Jim, in particular, thanks for posting the diagram. I had kind of a conceptual understanding following Domenic's helpful explanation, but the visual really nails it. I actually checked your website before posting, Jim, but I thought it dealt only with '67 models up. I'll let you know via private message the actual length of the repro locking rod and whether it solves my problem. Thanks again!

Mike H.