Steering Interlock Questions

[Terry M.]

Re: Steering Interlock Questions

[QUOTE=Keith Michaud (67636);927911]Thanks Terry and John for your info and guidance. Firstly, measured the tie rods zerk to zerk. Left one was 16" and right one was 15 3/4". Not sure what expected tolerance should be but that seems a bit too much to me. Perhaps not? Thinking through the geometry makes my brain hurt a little. If the left one is shortened a bit and right one extended that would push the pitman arm left as in a left turn which would put the steering wheel further away from 12 o'clock..currently around 9 oclock.. But maybe if it gets close to 6 o'clock and the column was previously connected to the rag joint 180 degrees off...maybe that's the combined fix. Who knows...but as you said Terry...one step at a time.
/QUOTE]

I think that 1/4-inch difference in the tie rod lengths is not enough to cause the steering wheel to be off 90-degrees. maybe the work on the column will reveal all.

[Keith M.]

Re: Steering Interlock Questions

Sorry for some confusion here. I re-read my post and then re measured. The difference side to side is 3/4". Left is 16" right is 15 1/4". Not sure if that changes your thought on the matter.
Keith

[Terry M.]

Re: Steering Interlock Questions

Sorry for some confusion here. I re-read my post and then re measured. The difference side to side is 3/4". Left is 16" right is 15 1/4". Not sure if that changes your thought on the matter.
Keith

Now you got me. At 3/4-inch and on an alignment rack I would make the adjustment to get them closer and see what it did to the steering wheel. You also have to be sure the steering box is on high center when changing the length of the tie rods. Sitting in front of a keyboard it is a lot harder to guess at the results. It doesn't help that it has been a decade since I had a car on an alignment machine. Also I never did alignments daily or even weekly so all of the details never were impressed on me. When I started we used light and mirrors. When I quit the computer lead us through the alignment steps and told us what to do. Sadly that lead to people with no understanding of why they were doing the action. But it was quicker and that meant money for the shops we were training the students for. It also justified the alarming cost of the equipment. Sorry to digress, but this hits a hot spot.

Work on the column and then tackle the alignment. It is best to do one detail at a time. That way it is easier to find out what is wrong and the fix for it.

[Keith M.]

Re: Steering Interlock Questions

Terry,
One of the things that comes with age is wisdom. And wisdom doesn't mean one knows everything, but it does mean ability to recognize when someone else knows what they are talking about. As you said, one thing at a time...and in proper order. Gary R will do his magic on the box, I will get someone to rebuild the column, then reassess. I am a long way away from alignment. I am in early stages of restore. Car is on blocks with everything out from radiator core to water pump inclusive...and much else. Trailing arms need out and rebuilt. Doing entire brake system. Hope to get a few months pleasure out of it this summer. But it will be what it will be. Prefer to do it right than do it twice.

[Richard K.]

Re: Steering Interlock Questions

Keith,
I too used Magic Mike for a standard steering column rebuild. I found him to be knowledgeable, and reasonable on price. He's in Herkimer, New York so that may save you some cost on shipping to and from. He's very busy, so if you are wanting to use him, you might want to get the column to him very soon, especially if you would like to drive when the weather gets better in W. Pa..
The 1970 Chassis Rebuild Manual, and a Corvette parts book will both show an exploded view of the steering column. I, too , thought about rebuilding my own until I looked at those pictures. I think a pro is definitely needed on this primary safety device.
On a separate note, one of our chapter members suggested to paint the body before removing it from the chassis. The theory made some sense, especially if you wanted to have the car to drive during the warm months, then pull the body so you can tend to the chassis restoration during the cold months. FWIW
Rich