64 c10 with tilt column issues.

[AUS64c10]

Hi,

I recently imported a 64 c10 into Australia.

The truck has a tilt steering wheel column fitted to it and I'm not 100% sure what it out of but the previous owner thinks it was from a 67 Buick Skylark.

The problem I'm having is the steering shaft floats up and down about 1/2 an inch. I thought it was to do with the tilt but its moving at the bottom of the column in the slip joint where the intermediate shaft connects. You can slide the whole shaft up and down. What secures the bottom bearing in place and is meant hold the shaft? Currently if you tighten the nut at the top of the column it just pulls the shaft up as nothing is securing it.
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[chevyrestoguy]

From the picture, it appears as if you're missing the spring that fits between the column bearing and the clamp. This spring keeps tension on the shaft and keeps the shaft from moving longitudinally down the column.

As far as the up/down movement, that sounds like the bottom column bearing might be missing or worn out. I'm not sure of what the exact year your column is, but here is an ebay ad that will explain it better:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/64-65-66-Bui...eac18e&vxp=mtr

The end of your column looks different than the one in the ebay ad, so maybe if you took some pictures of the column (interior side as well), we may be able to figure out what year your column is. Don't buy anything until you know what year it is first.

[forestb]

I would post this photo and one of the top of the column and the turn signal switch on the latter model truck forums.

[AUS64c10]

The top of the column looks like any other tilt column from that era. Thanks for the buick link as that eliminates that possibility.
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[61_FL_Apache]

Welcome and nice truck you have there..

Please show some more pics when you can.

[Reyals Bemus]

That's a '67-72 C10 auto tilt column without question. I just fitted one into my '64, and so I recently spent a lot of time staring at it!

So you know, they are the ideal tilt columns to retrofit into our trucks.

[AUS64c10]

I pulled the column out yesterday to have look and see what was wrong with it. I tend to forget the truck is about 50 years old and has been rebuilt/patched up a few times already. Judging by the weld in the middle of the lower shaft it it looks to have been shortened so I'm guessing it was from a van as only this shaft has been shortened.

[AUS64c10]

These two photos shown how much movement is in the shaft. Almost 1/2 an inch. The previous owner did mentioned the steering wheel might need a tighten...

I will reassemble it for now so I can still move the truck around but look at a new aftermarket column.

[old cruiser]

Hi aus64c10 , the top bearing may have collapsed or the the spring on top of shaft is broken or missing or not locked in with cir clip just a few things to check.
Where in Melb are you?

[AUS64c10]

The bearing in the top of the column is ok. Because the shaft slides up it lifts out of it's race. There is nothing missing from the top of column and when the shaft is in the correct spot there is no play in the top of the column.

There is no slot at the bottom of the shaft for a circlip to go into. This is why I'm so baffled as to how the shaft is retained to stop it sliding up. Because the shaft is sliding up you can't put any tension on the nut at the top of the column as it just pulls the shaft up. At the bottom of the shaft I can see where the bearing has been spinning on the shaft. There is no signs that it should be a press fitted bearing either.

I'm keeping the truck out in Cheltenham until I get it all sorted for registration.

[AUS64c10]

just discovered there is actually meant to be two bearings at the top of the column. Only the inner and outer race on the lower bearing are there. The balls and the plastic cage are no where to be seen. Will try source a bearing for it tomorrow.

This lower bearing is what holds the shaft in place.

[AUS64c10]

Started a build thread for it now.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post6190599

[chevyrestoguy]

Originally Posted by chevyrestoguy

From the picture, it appears as if you're missing the spring that fits between the column bearing and the clamp. This spring keeps tension on the shaft and keeps the shaft from moving longitudinally down the column.

As I said before, you are missing the spring and clamp assembly that secures the steering shaft. The steering wheel retaining nut secures it at the top. When you've got it all together, you apply a little preload to the lower spring to ensure that the steering column collar at the top has a slight gap and is not binding when the wheel is turned. Once the lower clamp is secured and tight, and the steering wheel retaining nut is tight, the shaft cannot move and will simply ride within the upper and lower column bearings. Here is a picture of my column that shows the spring and clamp that I believe is missing on yours:


I know I have a spare clamp, I'll have to look for the spring.

[Rich 5150 69]

Here`s a source if you can`t find one locally.... http://www.steeringcolumnservices.co...lumn-parts.php

[AUS64c10]

Originally Posted by chevyrestoguy

As I said before, you are missing the spring and clamp assembly that secures the steering shaft. The steering wheel retaining nut secures it at the top. When you've got it all together, you apply a little preload to the lower spring to ensure that the steering column collar at the top has a slight gap and is not binding when the wheel is turned. Once the lower clamp is secured and tight, and the steering wheel retaining nut is tight, the shaft cannot move and will simply ride within the upper and lower column bearings. Here is a picture of my column that shows the spring and clamp that I believe is missing on yours:


I know I have a spare clamp, I'll have to look for the spring.

I have the clamp as shown in the first photo. I don't have the spring but I thought the spring was for non tilt columns?

I have a spring at the top of my column that puts preload on the two upper thrust bearings. I was missing all the balls and cage from the lower thrust bearing and this was causing the shaft to slide up about 1/2 an inch and cause the wobbly steering wheel.

As a temporary measure I 3D printed off part to replace the missing balls and cage so I could put the column back in the truck and move it around until the proper bearings arrive. Even with this temporary plastic part the steering column is rock solid and functions 100%.



The part I printed off: