Shifter Stuck in Tilt Column

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by 67L30WGN

Good point. I started to put a puller on the outer shell, but was having trouble grabbing the rolled edge, so stopped for now.

I had the same issue. I ended up using a small screw driver, and tapping it with a hammer to slowly push the sleeve off.

[Sammy]

In this application I wouldn't use heat either. One of the other ideas should work.

[67L30WGN]

Found the problem. The pointer of my shift indicator had long ago broken off. The plastic piece that remained in the bowl all off a sudden decided to come loose and slide down the slot into the opening in the jacket tube, preventing full rotation in the CCW direction. (See the pictures) I assume this piece can only be R&R'd by removing the bowl, as I can't seem to pull it out through the top, which leads me to my next problem...

Now I was able to remove the cover by inserting appropriately shaped screw drives into the hazard button hole and the tilt lever hole and gently prying up. Then I was able to gain full access to the bearing nylock nut and remove it, but not the wedge. After that I was able to remove the pins either side of the tilt mechanism and start to pull it away, but it doesn't seem to want to slide off all the way easily. It's pulling the tilt knuckle/shaft with it. Do I just yank on it or do I need to remove the wedge at the bearing or do I have to release the shaft from the other end of the steering column? How do I get the wedge out without damaging the bearing?

I need to remove that plastic shift indicator piece and replace it with a new one (if I can find one).

[Sammy]

You are very close to getting to your problem. I had my column sitting on my bench when I tore it apart. But by the pics, you still have the head assy still installed. Remove the gear shift lever and the turn lever to gain further access from the top. Slide the turn signal assy up out of the way by disconnecting the plug under the dash and gently move the wires for room for movement. Don't know if you are going to get deep enough with out sliding the column from the truck and replacing that indicator.

[67ss&99ss]

Originally Posted by 67L30WGN

LS1Nova71, From the looks of your username, you'll appreciate my latest acquisition - 1965 Nova SS; 283/PG; 10,680 actual miles; original Evening Orchid paint.

PS. I'm glad you mentioned not heating the nut. I noticed the nut was a nyloc. Besides the bearing cage would melt, too.

I like that car. My uncle has several 65 Novas and is currently restoring a 65 SS 283 4 speed car.

[Palf70Step]

Glad you found the issue. And yes you can still order the pointer fro the tilt. I know LMC has them, so I assume all the board vendors do also.

[ls1nova71]

Originally Posted by 67L30WGN

It's pulling the tilt knuckle/shaft with it. Do I just yank on it or do I need to remove the wedge at the bearing or do I have to release the shaft from the other end of the steering column? How do I get the wedge out without damaging the bearing?

Glad you figured out the problem, that's exactly what I thought the problem was going to be, I've seen it before.

To get that piece off, don't "just yank it off", put the tilt lever back in and pull it, like you're tilting the column down so the lock shoes will release from the pin. Then lightly tapping the steering shaft down should free up the wedge.

One other thing, don't try to remove the shift bowl with the column in the truck, it will be next to impossible to reinstall that way. Get a small pick or something and try and push the broken piece back up and out the way it went in. Then when you get a new pointer, make sure it slides freely in the shift bowl, sometimes they're too tight and will not stay on the shift indicator housing. I've sanded them down a little in the past to make them easier to slide.

BTW, VERY nice Nova!

[Sammy]

If you unscrew the tilt handle, and remove the pin from the gear lever you can pull the dowel pin for the two shoes. (Look at the breakdown) That should get the head out of the way. But be careful as behind the two shoes are two small springs. They are a bit stout. After a bit looking at them upon reassembly you can get them back where they belong properly situated but it will not be a 10 min job upon reassembly. At least for me. I messed with them for about 15. Lil prying and common sense they will go back in. I believe working one at a time. Besides the three torque screws I can't see where you are going to have any problems.

[ls1nova71]

I wouldn't recommend taking the lock shoes out, you'll be making more work for yourself. Just pull back on the tilt release lever and it will come off.

As a side note, when you get that part off, the potmetal piece that has the pin that the lock shoes lock on to, check and make sure the pin is tight, if it's not, you'll have some up and down play in the tilt. A little bit of JB Weld added to where the pin goes through the potmetal will take care of it if it's loose. But don't get carried away with it, or the lock shoes won't be able to lock onto it properly.

[kevncar]

Subscribing...good info here incase I ever gotta take mine apart. Good luck 67L30WGN...looks like you're almost there.

[67L30WGN]

Just some final follow up here. I ended up using a twelve point 23mm boxed end wrench held at a slight angle to remove that skinny lock nut. Not a perfect fit, but was close enough to turn without damaging nut. LS1Nova71 was right. Pulling the tilt lever as though to tilt the steering wheel allowed removal of the bearing piece off the knuckle. Same thing in reverse. The inner cage was broken at one place, but was careful not to lose any bearings, cleaned up and held everything together with fresh grease to reinstall with no trouble. No need to remove bowl or shoes. I was able to remove the broken shift indicator piece with a pick and a vacuum. The mysterious brown triangular plastic piece turned out to be one of two bumpers that apparently fell out when the column was originally put together. Thanks to everyone for the help.

[tll74]

subscribed

[nlped]

I had this happen to me yesterday when I was installing my "new" tilt column. The dang shifter indicator was broken off and had slid down and was blocking the movement of the shifter...It was AGGRAVATING to say the least, but once I realized what it was, I just loosened up the column and turned it upside down & voila...it fell right out. Took me about an hour to figure out what had happened though :/