72 TA : New Project

[Xplantdad]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: njsteve</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Looks like we're getting some free press:

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2...to/?refer=news

[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img] </div></div>

As it SHOULD be. You should write a book Steve [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

[njsteve]

Well, since no project is ever really finished...

The tilt column that came in the car when I bought it, (it was a non-tilt car originally) has been making noises like a bell ringing whenever I'd take the car out for a drive (I have about 700 miles on it now). So I went on the hunt for a non-tilt column and actually found one on ebay. It was listed as a Camaro column but they are the same from 70 to around 76.

The 70-76 columns have a splined end while the 77-81 columns have a D-shaped end that interlocks with a similar intermediate shaft.






I disassembled the column and soaked the steel end in the safestrustremover liquid along with my trusty aquarium heater and pool sump pump and let it circulate or a few hours.

[njsteve]

I would imagine I am not the only husband out there who's wife always complains about my inability to throw anything away. My standard response is &quot;I may use that some day.&quot;

Well. I finally got to &quot;that day!&quot;

The wife came downstairs over the weekend and laughed hysterically when she saw the old wooden flag pole that I refused to throw out ten years ago. Guess what? It fit the column perfectly as a rotating spindle for paint purposes.

[njsteve]

Here's something I just learned: the columns are dated coded. According to the seller, this column was from a 72 Camaro. The date code confirms that: 10th month of 1971. Pretty lucky score for my December built car.

[njsteve]

After spending a few days cleaning and reassembling the new column, I installed it. Of course I learned that the standard columns are clocked differently than the tilt ones. The splines have the intermediate shaft alignment notch at the 3 o'clock position, while the tilt column had it at the 6 o'clock position. So the wheel was 90 degrees off when the tires were straight ahead.

[njsteve]

Using my kids' sidewalk chalk and an unused book shelf, I traced the exact position of both front tires.



From these two lines I was able to establish the toe setting with a tape measure. Sure beats trying to get the exact same spot on the tire treads.



Took a few tries keeping the book shelf steady while tracing with the chalk, but in the end it looked like 1/4&quot; toe in.

[njsteve]

I then raised the car and loosened the tie rod ends and turned both tie rods an equal amount to get the front wheels to match each other as well as the steering wheel when it was in the correct position.

It took several test drives and subsequent chalk tracings and readjustments, to get the wheel exactly straight but in the end I got the toe-in to 1/8&quot; (the factory spec is 3/16&quot; + or - 1/16&quot.




By the way, I did partially disassemble the old tilt column to get the original turn signal switch out in order to use it in the new column as it had the correct color-coded wires in it that matched the dash wiring harness. During the disassembly I found that the upper bearing had come apart in the tilt column, hence the ringing sound of the races rattling against the housing.