Today, I removed the steering wheel, disconnected wiring, and ubolted
the steering column and removed it from my 76 Transmode. Winter has set
in here in the East Tennessee mountains, so I've got time to try to find
and fix an annoying knock and squeak in the column that has persisted
for some time.
Last year I replaced the column's lower bearing since it was easy
enoungh to get to. But that didn't fix the noise or knock. I am almost
certain that my repairs and replacemnt part work on the steering linkage
and gear box have isolated the cause to the column.
The first thing I noticed when I got the column out was that there
seemed to be a significant axial movement of the steering shaft when
grabbing it by the splined end that connects to the lower slip shaft and
steering box. When I pull or push on it, the shaft moves in or out of
the lower bearing a few millimeters with the knocking noise I don't
like. I had not expected that there would be movement in this fashion.
Does this sound like the universal joint in the column tilt mechanism is
worn?
I haven't taken the column appart to see what gives, but am interested
in hearing from anyone who has taken a column apart for a rebuild. What
should I be looking for? Am I about to bite off more than I should
here?
Phil Stewart
'76 Transmode, TN
the steering column and removed it from my 76 Transmode. Winter has set
in here in the East Tennessee mountains, so I've got time to try to find
and fix an annoying knock and squeak in the column that has persisted
for some time.
Last year I replaced the column's lower bearing since it was easy
enoungh to get to. But that didn't fix the noise or knock. I am almost
certain that my repairs and replacemnt part work on the steering linkage
and gear box have isolated the cause to the column.
The first thing I noticed when I got the column out was that there
seemed to be a significant axial movement of the steering shaft when
grabbing it by the splined end that connects to the lower slip shaft and
steering box. When I pull or push on it, the shaft moves in or out of
the lower bearing a few millimeters with the knocking noise I don't
like. I had not expected that there would be movement in this fashion.
Does this sound like the universal joint in the column tilt mechanism is
worn?
I haven't taken the column appart to see what gives, but am interested
in hearing from anyone who has taken a column apart for a rebuild. What
should I be looking for? Am I about to bite off more than I should
here?
Phil Stewart
'76 Transmode, TN
