Newbee here Steering Column prob.

[geofamy]

I'm looking for some help. Just bought a 84 vette. The car was delivered yesterday. The steering column has all kinds of play at the tilt joint. Even when locked it moves over 1 in. My question is can the joint be rebuilt? Also the dealer who sold me the car asked how much would it cost to replace, anyone have a cost Idea?
Another dumb question I have is where to jack the car to raise it. I don't have a owners man yet. Thank you.

The colum can be rebuilt however SOMETIMES its just the screws that hold the two sections together have back themselves out. You still have to disassemble the colum either way. if its the screws use lock tight to put them back in. The jack is on top of the spare tire. Chances are like mine its missing.
good luck

[geofamy]

Thank you for the fast responce. You are correct no Jack. I can't open my hatch,is there a manual way to do it? Also under the car where is it safe to jack the car up from?

[JonM]

First off, for the play in the steering column you can repair it yourself. Here are a couple sites to read for that information. http://www.aros.net/~rbuck/column/tiltcol.html and http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/susp..._steering.html . If you feel like you can’t do the fix yourself…The column is really easy to remove and send out. It will cost you about 125-350 dollars plus shipping. If you are going to remove it, let me know, I’ll tell you how. Another problem you may be having with the steering is the intermediate steering shaft under the hood. It’s the shaft connecting the column to the rack and pinion unit. Have someone sit in the drivers seat and move the wheel back and forth (car not running) look at the coupling connecting the shaft to the R&P unit. You may see it move, (especially when cold) it shouldn’t. (see picture below) If it is moving, you need to repair it, the part is not available any more. Let me know I have a fix for it.

If you want to jack the car up, look at the runner below the doors. In front of the rear tire and in back of the front tire, you will see arrows. That is where you jack it. Be careful you do not pinch any lines. You can also jack the front up using the crossmember under the engine.

Here is a site to get a manual (invaluable better then gold) http://www.helminc.com get the manual and the electrical supplement.

Here is another site for you to join…it’s a CrossFire site. http://www.crossfire.webhop.net/

Check the fuses for the rear hatch, there is also a button on each door for the hatch (jamb) and also one in the middle compartment. I don’t remember if the key has to be on or not. If you need the manual operation follow Eagle suggestion below.

If you reach under the the plastic near where the rear hatch lock is, you should find a short piece of stainless steel cable...just pull on it and the latch should be unlocked manually.

If you remove the steering wheel, down inside you will see three screw, I believe they are torx head. Tighten these up and you will take care of the movement. Usually 2 of them are easy to get to...the third takes a bit of creative manuvering to get to it. Loctite is a good idea.

[JonM]

I forgot the steering shaft pic.

[geofamy]

again, THANKS, found cable opened hatch first time in many years! The play in column is rite at the tilt joint. With all the help you people are giving me I will be able to do most if not all the work. This is my first vette in 20 years,1982 had a 62. I bought the car on E bay knowing it would need work but the seller was really playing me. Totel BS. Glad I paid with Master Card,now I have pertection. Anyway once I fix everything and then fix it again I know I will love the car. I built old Harleys for years and learned to fix or not ride. Thanks again. After some time because of all this car needs I will be able to help others.

Due to it's intermittent operation I have completely rebuilt the hatch soleniod and related wiring and switches on my 85. If you need any help just hollar....