67-68 Strg Column Help

[Jim S.]

I am trying to write a paper on disassembly and repair of the 1967-68 standard (non-adjustable) steering column. I am trying to follow the 1968 Chevrolet Chassis Service Manual. The manual covers all five Chevrolet models, is very confusing, and has quite a few errors. I do not have ready access to a 67-68 Vette so there are some areas with respect to dropping the column, etc where I could use some help. For instance:
I assume that this drawing from the manual is correct. So in order to drop the column or work on the turn signal switch you must start by removing these plastic shrouds.
If someone that is familiar with the 67-68 steering column and dash structure could eMail me, it would be most helpful. It might be best to strike up a phone conversation on the subject.

Jim
JIML82@aol.com

[Joe L.]

Re: 67-68 Strg Column Help

I am trying to write a paper on disassembly and repair of the 1967-68 standard (non-adjustable) steering column. I am trying to follow the 1968 Chevrolet Chassis Service Manual. The manual covers all five Chevrolet models, is very confusing, and has quite a few errors. I do not have ready access to a 67-68 Vette so there are some areas with respect to dropping the column, etc where I could use some help. For instance:
I assume that this drawing from the manual is correct. So in order to drop the column or work on the turn signal switch you must start by removing these plastic shrouds.
If someone that is familiar with the 67-68 steering column and dash structure could eMail me, it would be most helpful. It might be best to strike up a phone conversation on the subject.

Jim
JIML82@aol.com

Jim-----


While the 67 and 68 steering columns are similar, the mounting is very different. The diagram illustrates a 1968 set-up and I don't think that any of the trim pieces are the same as 1967. The 67 column is more-or-less "naked" compared to the 68.

[Dennis O.]

Re: 67-68 Strg Column Help

Also, you should be aware that there is a difference between "early" and "late" '67 columns. I was doing my '67 column, and following the '67 assembly manual, and things didn't work quite right. I also have a '68, and between that and the '68 assembly manual and the fact that the Paragon catalog listed "early vs. late" parts. I was able to figure it out. BTW, my '67 is a March built car and had the "late" parts. The assembly manual was probably published early in the year and shows only the early setup.

Denny

[Bryan M.]

Re: 67-68 Strg Column Help

Jim,
The diagram matches my 68 column trim.
Bryan

[Jim S.]

Re: 67-68 Strg Column Help

I know that the early 1967 Saginaw steering columns had a snap ring groove in the steering shaft to hold the lower bearing in place. There was a massive recall to replace the steering shafts that involved nearly all of the new design energy absorbing columns. Any steering column that connected directly to a steering gear (no intermediate steering shaft) was affected. The groove was eliminated and a clamp replaced the snap ring.

Maybe for now my paper should address the 1968 column only. I have the 1968 standard column assembly drawing. It is dated 6/9/1967. I also have the 1968 Chevrolet shop manual.

I will try to obtain the drawing of the 1967 column drawing. Can anyone supply me the Saginaw part number for the column from the 1967 AIM?

Jim

[John H.]

Re: 67-68 Strg Column Help

Jim -

The (late - after January, with the clamp) '67 column was P/N 7803156.

[John H.]

Re: 67-68 Strg Column Help

Jim-

Here's the A.I.M. sheet that shows the '67 column installation; I can't find the sheet anywhere that shows the black plastic shrouds that cover it between the turn signal housing and the cluster escutcheon, but the two pieces just surround the column jacket and are attached together with two screws.

[Joe L.]

Re: 67-68 Strg Column Help

I know that the early 1967 Saginaw steering columns had a snap ring groove in the steering shaft to hold the lower bearing in place. There was a massive recall to replace the steering shafts that involved nearly all of the new design energy absorbing columns. Any steering column that connected directly to a steering gear (no intermediate steering shaft) was affected. The groove was eliminated and a clamp replaced the snap ring.

Maybe for now my paper should address the 1968 column only. I have the 1968 standard column assembly drawing. It is dated 6/9/1967. I also have the 1968 Chevrolet shop manual.

I will try to obtain the drawing of the 1967 column drawing. Can anyone supply me the Saginaw part number for the column from the 1967 AIM?

Jim

Jim-----

The early 67 column was GM #5698346.

[Jim S.]

Re: 67-68 Strg Column Help

I mentioned the following to Snake488 the other night.


I can remember nearly all of the hoists in our Saginaw Steering Gear engineering garage being tied up with full cars (various GM models) being durability tested. Special shims were used to offset the column to gear alignment to represent worst build conditions. Front seats were removed with motors and belts rotating the steering column shafts 24/7. I don't remember ever hearing exactly how they originally found the condition. Possibly a Proving Grounds pilot car durability vehicle. So just before or just after 1967 SOP with the new, first generation, energy absorbing steering columns all hell broke loose.

Evidently, there was some documentation that indicated that the steering gear shaft to column shaft misalignment would not exceed 0.157 inches. (I was eventually to become the flex coupling supervisor; 0.157 offset was the durability test that we used for flex coupling testing.)

Anyway, I heard that some vehicle builds were measuring 0.25 inch offset. The flex coupling didn't like it, but worse the weakest link was the steering column shaft which would break right at the stress riser in the steering shaft lower bearing snap ring groove.

So new steering shafts were designed and the groove eliminated. The clamp was introduced to hold the lower bearing. All 1967 GM passenger cars were campaigned and the steering shafts replaced. Mandatory Assembly Sequence Instructions were added to the AIM books.

It appears that the plastic alignment spacers were added around 1968-69 to assist the alignment process.

Jim Shea

[John H.]

Re: 67-68 Strg Column Help

Jim-----

The early 67 column was GM #5698346.

Joe -

Was that a Service part number for the early column? The A.I.M. shows the production number for the early column as 7802101.

[Joe L.]

Re: 67-68 Strg Column Help

Joe -

Was that a Service part number for the early column? The A.I.M. shows the production number for the early column as 7802101.

John----


Yes, that number did come from SERVICE information. However, I show it as being a predecessor part number to GM #7803156. It was discontinued and superceded by GM #7803156 in January, 1968.

GM #7802101 was also once available in SERVICE. It was discontinued in August, 1967 and replaced by GM #7803156.