'70 GTO Steering Column Rebuild

twertsy · #1 09-22-2013, 01:09 PM

Wonder if I might get a little help. This is the original tilt steering column from my GTO. Anyone ever rebuild one of these? How do I get the lock cylinder out?

**Mr70** · #2 09-22-2013, 01:26 PM

At the 2 O'clock position,there's a cast metal slot you have to break.Yours looks to already have been broken through.
Once you break through,you insert a tool,(I use hacksaw blade),and depress the slim spring loaded button while pulling on the ignition lock cylinder,and it will come out.

Watch this @ the 2:35 and 3:00 mark:

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twertsy · #3 09-22-2013, 02:02 PM

Great video! However, I don't feel anything spring loaded in there, and it still won't come out. See the pic below. It appears this little clip on the other side of the column has tension when I pull on the cylinder. However, I've depressed it, as well as pulled it and it doesn't seem to release.

twertsy · #4 09-22-2013, 02:09 PM

Nevermind.........thanks a bunch Mr. 70, I just didn't pull hard enough. Success!

twertsy · #5 09-22-2013, 02:23 PM

Ok next issue........any special trick to getting the cover off once the cylinder is out? Appears to be a little spring blocking removal. Don't want to break anything as I'm refurbishing the entire column.

smoke' em II · #6 09-23-2013, 08:26 PM

Everything you will ever want to know about steering columns and more. BTW, Jim Shea is a retired Saginaw engineer.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/

twertsy · #7 09-23-2013, 09:25 PM

Thanks much Smoke!

smoke' em II · #8 09-24-2013, 06:55 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: twertsy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks much Smoke!</div></div>
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BlueSS454 · #9 10-02-2013, 12:51 AM

I have rebuilt a number of GM tilt columns. The lock is the easy part! You need special tools to pull it the rest of the way apart. One to remove the pivot pins on the side of the column head, then a torx socket to remove the piece under the head. I have one apart in the shop now if you need pics of anything.

twertsy · #10 10-02-2013, 12:59 AM

Wow, thanks Tom.....what's the special tool and where do I snag one? Carlisle? Those pins have been driving me nuts!