Tilt steering column

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TNT440

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I have a 64 300 that has a tilt steeering column. I think it is the first year for that option. There is quite a bit of lateral play in the steering wheel that doesn't appear to be coming from the tilt knuckle. I think it is the upper bearing. There is nothing in the 64 shop manual about the tilt column. I read somewhere that it is a saginaw column that GM used. I can't seem to find any instructions on how to disassemble the column to access the bearing. There is one video that shows how to get the upper collar off, but that is as deep as it goes. I understand the 64's are not slab sides or forward look, but hoping someone can direct me to a manual that helps me take this apart. Thanks.
 
In the 1970s GM/Saginaw tilt columns, the REAL source of the lateral movement is not the bearing, but a pot metal housing below the tilt joint. With repeated "let the wheel go to its upper-most travel", unrestrained, over time, the housing cracks as the three bolts holding it to the column housing also loosen over time. Resulting in what I term "The Thunderbird Syndrome".

Possibly there is a Chrysler MasterTech program on the column at www.MyMopar.com (might need to manually input that address). Might find an exploded view in the Chrysler Parts Manual, too?

When you get the turn signal mechanism removed, look for the retainer bolts below the tilt joint. IF you have to take the tilt joing apart, FIRST use some paint to mark one side of the joint's pivot area, so they can be reassembled as they came apart. If not, then the cancelling cam for the steering wheel will not cancel the turn signals as they should.

Please keep us posted,
CBODY67
 
I wasn't aware of that possibility. That would be bad. Just to be clear, when I move the wheel laterally it seems like the movement is in the shaft. The collar above the tilt joint doesn't move with it. There does seem to be some movement transmitting to the section below the tilt joint.
 
There is a supplement to the 64 shop manual at mymopar.com and there are instructions for the tilt column in there. Thank you
CBODY67 said:
In the 1970s GM/Saginaw tilt columns, the REAL source of the lateral movement is not the bearing, but a pot metal housing below the tilt joint. With repeated "let the wheel go to its upper-most travel", unrestrained, over time, the housing cracks as the three bolts holding it to the column housing also loosen over time. Resulting in what I term "The Thunderbird Syndrome".

Possibly there is a Chrysler MasterTech program on the column at www.MyMopar.com (might need to manually input that address). Might find an exploded view in the Chrysler Parts Manual, too?

When you get the turn signal mechanism removed, look for the retainer bolts below the tilt joint. IF you have to take the tilt joing apart, FIRST use some paint to mark one side of the joint's pivot area, so they can be reassembled as they came apart. If not, then the cancelling cam for the steering wheel will not cancel the turn signals as they should.

Please keep us posted,
CBODY67
Click to expand...
There is a supplement to the 64 shop manual at mymopar.com and there are instructions for the tilt column in there. Thank you. Pretty complicated. I wonder if there is any availability of rebuild parts anywhere.
 
The early Saginaw tilt column is completely different from the later columns that everyone is familiar with. They use a crush sleeve to set bearing preload, just like many differentials. There are some special tools involved with assembly also. I rebuilt one at work and was able to find an NOS repair kit on ebay that contained a new crush sleeve. I also have the special tool required to set the proper amount of crush when putting things back together.


Jeff
 
bigmoparjeff said:
The early Saginaw tilt column is completely different from the later columns that everyone is familiar with. They use a crush sleeve to set bearing preload, just like many differentials. There are some special tools involved with assembly also. I rebuilt one at work and was able to find an NOS repair kit on ebay that contained a new crush sleeve. I also have the special tool required to set the proper amount of crush when putting things back together.


Jeff
Click to expand...
Yes, I see in the instructions that there is some special tooling required. I have started searching for a repair kit, but I am not optimistic. In the event that I do find one, would you be interested in selling that tool that you have?

I've been considering sending the column out to Orange County Steering columns. They claim they can fix any column.
 
I'm surprised that I didn't take any photos of the repair process on that column. I'm usually pretty good at taking pictures of everything I do at work.

I'm pretty sure that I still have the box for the repair kit, so I'll try to remember to get you the part number for it on Monday. The kit was sold under the Saginaw brand name and not GM or AC Delco, so you really need to know what you're looking for, and it can be tough to find if the seller doesn't know what they have and only list it by part number.

The column that I fixed had the same problem as yours: play in the shaft, not in the tilt mechanism, and the cause of the play was the crush collar. Someone must have been rough with it at some point and over compressed the collar, probably by hammering on it to remove the steering wheel.

All the service tools are currently available on ebay, but they won't do you any good if you can't get the repair parts.

Orange County Columns looks like a good plan B. You don't see very many places with a solid 5 Star rating. Shipping cost will be brutal if you have to go this route.


Jeff
 
bigmoparjeff said:
I'm surprised that I didn't take any photos of the repair process on that column. I'm usually pretty good at taking pictures of everything I do at work.

I'm pretty sure that I still have the box for the repair kit, so I'll try to remember to get you the part number for it on Monday. The kit was sold under the Saginaw brand name and not GM or AC Delco, so you really need to know what you're looking for, and it can be tough to find if the seller doesn't know what they have and only list it by part number.

The column that I fixed had the same problem as yours: play in the shaft, not in the tilt mechanism, and the cause of the play was the crush collar. Someone must have been rough with it at some point and over compressed the collar, probably by hammering on it to remove the steering wheel.

All the service tools are currently available on ebay, but they won't do you any good if you can't get the repair parts.

Orange County Columns looks like a good plan B. You don't see very many places with a solid 5 Star rating. Shipping cost will be brutal if you have to go this route.


Jeff
Click to expand...
Thanks, that would be a big help to have the part number. Good to know the service tools are available, I hope I will need them.
 
I'm still looking for that box. I know for sure that I didn't throw it out, but I may have brought it home, which means it could be hidden away and mixed in with other boxes. The odd thing is that I can't find any record of buying the kit on either of my ebay accounts. I'm going to have to check with my co-worker to see if I had him buy it for some reason.

I originally got the part number off of some Chevy or other GM message board, but finding that post again could be a challenge too.


Jeff
 
bigmoparjeff said:
I'm still looking for that box. I know for sure that I didn't throw it out, but I may have brought it home, which means it could be hidden away and mixed in with other boxes. The odd thing is that I can't find any record of buying the kit on either of my ebay accounts. I'm going to have to check with my co-worker to see if I had him buy it for some reason.

I originally got the part number off of some Chevy or other GM message board, but finding that post again could be a challenge too.


Jeff
Click to expand...
I appreciate you looking for the part number. I did reach out to Orange County Steering Columns. They said it is usually the rubber washer part of the collapsible sleeve. They said it is a poor design. They said they could repair it 2 ways. With a new spacer/rubber or change the upper shaft (above tilt knuckle) to a 1966 shaft. Better design guaranteed to last. They recommend the new shaft. It's going to cost some money, but I think i am going to have them fix it.
 
That's probably the best way to go.

It turns out that I did have my coworker order the repair kit, so I was able to have him find it for me on his ebay account. Checking google and ebay, there aren't any kits currently available. I'm going to guess that Orange County Columns probably has some shims that they can use to get the bearing preload where it needs to be.

Here's the kit:

saginaw repair kit.JPG


1757472384093.jpeg


1757472597310.jpeg



Jeff
 
Hopefully, your column has a removable intermediate shaft, like the Chevy does, and that should help out quite a bit on the shipping cost.

IMG_1479.JPG



Jeff
 
When you get it back, let us know how everything went, in case someone else in the future needs work done on a steering column.


Jeff
 
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