Tilt/Tele Hub Removal

[Kenn S.]

I believe I have a worn/broken tilt shoe in my '80...you can pull the steering wheel down slightly (and it then swings slightly to the right) when locked. I've been reading Jim Shea's awesome papers and last night started in on the column. Fearful, but it has to be done.

I ran into problems trying to remove the hub (3949110). I was using a gear puller, but I might should visit AutoZone and get the U-shaped puller I've seen photos of online for pulling the hub.

Be that as it may, I didn't want to force it too much. I did see a video of a GM car that had a locking ring on the column shaft. While I don't see that in Jim's exploded parts drawing, I was using quite a bit of force and not seeing the hub move. Before I break something I can't fix, once the retainer clip and nut are removed, aside from friction and years of goo, is there anything that would be holding the hub back? In other words, go ahead and force it off?

If I get inside this thing and really get frightened off, any recommendations regarding the best place to have it restored? I'm willing to work and learn, but it's all too easy to break things when you have no knowledge...

[Wayne W.]

Re: Tilt/Tele Hub Removal

There is no locking ring on the steering wheel hub. The U clip retainer is on the steering lock. Just use the old mechanic method of pulling up on the steering wheel and giving the shaft a sharp whack with a hammer. Protect the threads by leveling the nut with the end of the shaft and use a large brass punch.

[Jim S.]

Re: Tilt/Tele Hub Removal

Starting in 1967 all Corvette (and GM passenger car) steering columns were designed to collapse in severe accidents. Hammering on the steering shaft to break the steering wheel hub loose, can very possibly break some of the injected plastic that holds the various steering column parts together. It usually takes a lot of force using a steering wheel puller to get the hub to break loose.

Jim

[Kenn S.]

Re: Tilt/Tele Hub Removal

Thanks, Jim...! In fact, I have two columns--the original, and one I found I'd hoped to use as a replacement. The replacement arrived damaged, so I have to do a parts swap.

What I found is exactly what you mention. For both columns, the plastic turn signal retainer was broken into many different pieces (luckily Eckler's has that part), and that's without some gentle pursuasion. But the hub is a strong press fit and not held by some hidden retainer or something. Keep working it and it'll come off.

I got the hub off in both cases using a different puller I have (good old Harbor Freight), and I've disassembled each to the point of removing the ignition key.

The original may or may not have that damaged tilt shoe...but for sure the pot metal housing is cracked by the turn signal, and the movement I was observing, if not caused by that, certainly is exacerbated by it. So I'm glad I have the replacement. It's the wrong year (1979, I believe, with the curved turn signal lever), and it was beige, not black, so I'm working that angle now. I'll live with the slightly-off lever angle. I think I've disassembled each about as far as I wanna go.

Great papers, and helpful. Thank you...