Tilt column gurus?

[BIG ORANGE]

Several years ago I bought a rebuilt tilt column on here, and I don't even remember who from. Anyway's I've kept it and used it in several of my own beat around shop trucks. Now for the ? I've noticed any steering wheel I used on it, the wheel doesn't set all the way down on the shaft, if you look there's always a slite gap between the wheel and outter hub below the wheel. Bout 3/16 gap.
Is there an adjustment to change this??

Thanks

[davepl]

From looking at old posts, maybe you purchased from user TBONE1964, and your Suburban is actually running a column from an 89 Cavalier. [Edit; just the wheel, not the column!]

Do you mean the gap between the plastic wheel and the metal column itself? I fought that gap a LOT on mine, got it smaller, but not as small as I'd like. So the factory gap is pretty big if that's what we're talking about.

[BIG ORANGE]

Not sure about TBONE but the suburban had a factory column.
Thanks for investigating, however I'm really looking a fix to the problem I'm not sure if this was bought from TBONE, heck I could be wrong in saying I bought it on here, let me say that.....lol
But thanks,,

[randy500]

A factory 69-72 truck steering wheel will have the proper gap and any wheel from gm that is for a column prior to when the key went to the column will fit better too. The non key on columns steering wheels are also slightly smaller in diameter where they meet the column, some styles are more noticeable than others.

[Andy4639]

Donnie pictures would help but If I'm reading your post right your talking the face of the hub and the steering wheel. Is this a factory steering wheel with the built in hub are a aftermarket hub from a car to fit another type steering wheel?

[BIG ORANGE]

It's a 72 truck tilt column and I'm running a 88 cavalier wheel. Ive always ran these wheels but for some reason it seems the shaft is protruding out further than it should. I'm gonna change the wheel and see if that helps.
Andy I'll send you a pic to your cell.

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by BIG ORANGE

It's a 72 truck tilt column and I'm running a 88 cavalier wheel. Ive always ran these wheels but for some reason it seems the shaft is protruding out further than it should. I'm gonna change the wheel and see if that helps.
Andy I'll send you a pic to your cell.

It may need rebuilding. The bottom of the column holds the shaft in place with the bearing and clip ring so the shaft want come toward the driver. You may need to check the bottom end where it goes through the fire wall.
Can you push and pull on the shaft with the steering wheel attached?

[randy500]

Here is how a 68 wheel fits (key on dash steering wheel)
The hub on this wheel is approx, 3.9" diameter.

[randy500]

The earlier wheels are smaller diameter where they meet the column and they have a step that conceals the wheel to column gap.
This picture shows the step on a 69-72 truck wheel

[randy500]

Same comfort grip wheel with 69 up key on column hub, this hub measures 4.1" diameter

[randy500]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

It may need rebuilding. The bottom of the column holds the shaft in place with the bearing and clip ring so the shaft want come toward the driver. You may need to check the bottom end where it goes through the fire wall.
Can you push and pull on the shaft with the steering wheel attached?

The bottom bearing floats on the shaft. There are 2 uoper bearings held in place on the upper tilt housing with a retainer nut, much like a wheel bearing.

[randy500]

You probably could counterbore the back of the steering wheel splines to get a closer fit. The splines are tapered so removing some on the back would allow the wheel to go on the splines further.

[Andy4639]

Randy500, How, what keeps the shaft in place then? I thought the lower bearing and clip did as well as the top.

Donnie here is my tilt in my 71 with the Chevelle wheel.

The other black tilt is with a 67 wheel and a Corvair wheel but neither are tightened down. I didn't even put the nut on it it's just sitting there snug.It should pull down tight like the chevelle wheel on my 71.
It's going in my ramp truck I hope over Christmas.

[randy500]

The center column shaft is 2 pieces which are hooked together by a plastic spherical joint which only separates at 90 degrees in a specific direction, so the joint holds the lower shaft in place.
The lower bearing has an internal groove where it rides on the lower shaft, in the groove is an o-ring which is just there to keep the bearing on the shaft for assembly purposes, other than that the shaft floats.

[Andy4639]

Ok thanks, I always assumed that bottom clip held the bearing and in turn it held the shaft in place.


Donnie we need some pictures man.

[BIG ORANGE]

Hey guy's that just what I got, the same gap. My column looks like brand new. And I went and pulled some receipts and I bought mine at the AutoFair at Charlotte. Guess I'll reme out that hub some an get it setting like I want it....