69 steering column question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**MikeB** · 01-31-2022, 06:51 PM

How do I remove this cast part?

**pjmoreland** · 01-31-2022, 07:00 PM

Stick a round tool such as a Phillips screwdriver in one of the holes and wiggle it. It is just stuck on the end of the column housing and needs some coaxing to get it to pop free.

**MikeB** · 02-01-2022, 04:51 PM

Well that was easy!

Now, how do I remove the shift tube so I can pull out the lever and the part that acts like a shift gate.

**pjmoreland** · 02-01-2022, 04:54 PM

Remove the five bolts from those curved plates. The lower bearing will slide out the bottom. Then you can slide the shift tube assembly, including those plates, out the bottom. The plates aren't designed to be removed from the shift tube, by the way.

**MikeB** · 02-01-2022, 05:22 PM

Thanks again! I really appreciate your help. I had pulled out the bearing earlier but thought its housing was part of the column. I should have looked closer around the entire column diameter.

Anyway, I think it's completely disassembled now, but I'll probably have more questions for you later!

**pjmoreland** · 02-01-2022, 05:30 PM

It's too bad those shift detent plates aren't designed to be removed. The one that came with my current truck was super worn out. I had to repair it with a welder

**MikeB** · 02-01-2022, 05:43 PM

I may need to so something with the hole that the ball on the shift handle fits into. Too much slop there.

**pjmoreland** · 02-01-2022, 05:49 PM

I ended up replacing my original column with a low-mileage unit because of shifter slop.

**pjmoreland** · 02-01-2022, 06:17 PM

Here are a couple of short videos that show the slop in my original vs. replacement columns. I think most of the slop was from wear on the aluminum bowl where it engages the rectangular strip on the shift tube.

https://youtu.be/5f8jF-DhMsk

https://youtu.be/sZi8EhuJznE

68 P.O.S. · 02-02-2022, 03:00 PM

You need one of these at the end of your shift handle to help with the slop: https://www.classicparts.com/1967-74...info/91%2D108/

**pjmoreland** · 02-02-2022, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68 P.O.S.

You need one of these at the end of your shift handle: https://www.classicparts.com/1967-74...info/91%2D108/

I bought one of those and it split down the side when I went to install it. I bought another one and opened up the size of the hole before installing it. It still split. I don't know what the deal is, but they don't fit on my '68 shifter lever.

68 P.O.S. · 02-03-2022, 11:56 AM

I've had the same issue. Maybe heat 'em up a little before installing. Regardless, it will still work fine.

**pjmoreland** · 02-03-2022, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68 P.O.S.

I've had the same issue. Maybe heat 'em up a little before installing. Regardless, it will still work fine.

Good idea.

**MikeB** · 02-03-2022, 01:04 PM

You guys are a wealth of info!

When I moved the column 1" forward several months ago, the neutral safety switch got pushed up against the firewall pad and has been acting goofy. So next up is moving the switch 1" further up the column. Looks like more trouble than I had hoped because I need to duplicate this tab on the shift tube. The fun never stops!

**Accelo** · 02-03-2022, 01:11 PM

Here is a YouTube video of the 1972 Chevy C10 steering column disassembly.
Missing some details but worth the watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44jKQvBrCec

BigBird05 · 02-03-2022, 05:44 PM

Cut the tab off and weld it in place.

01-31-2022, 06:51 PM	#1
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,623	69 steering column question How do I remove this cast part? Attached Images __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 36 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

01-31-2022, 07:00 PM	#2
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 6,066	Re: 69 steering column question Stick a round tool such as a Phillips screwdriver in one of the holes and wiggle it. It is just stuck on the end of the column housing and needs some coaxing to get it to pop free.

02-01-2022, 04:51 PM	#3
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,623	Re: 69 steering column question Well that was easy! Now, how do I remove the shift tube so I can pull out the lever and the part that acts like a shift gate. Attached Images __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 36 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

02-01-2022, 04:54 PM	#4
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 6,066	Re: 69 steering column question Remove the five bolts from those curved plates. The lower bearing will slide out the bottom. Then you can slide the shift tube assembly, including those plates, out the bottom. The plates aren't designed to be removed from the shift tube, by the way.

02-01-2022, 05:22 PM	#5
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,623	Re: 69 steering column question Thanks again! I really appreciate your help. I had pulled out the bearing earlier but thought its housing was part of the column. I should have looked closer around the entire column diameter. Anyway, I think it's completely disassembled now, but I'll probably have more questions for you later! __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 36 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

02-01-2022, 05:30 PM	#6
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 6,066	Re: 69 steering column question It's too bad those shift detent plates aren't designed to be removed. The one that came with my current truck was super worn out. I had to repair it with a welder

02-01-2022, 05:43 PM	#7
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,623	Re: 69 steering column question I may need to so something with the hole that the ball on the shift handle fits into. Too much slop there. Attached Images __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 36 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

02-01-2022, 05:49 PM	#8
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 6,066	Re: 69 steering column question I ended up replacing my original column with a low-mileage unit because of shifter slop.

02-01-2022, 06:17 PM	#9
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 6,066	Re: 69 steering column question Here are a couple of short videos that show the slop in my original vs. replacement columns. I think most of the slop was from wear on the aluminum bowl where it engages the rectangular strip on the shift tube. https://youtu.be/5f8jF-DhMsk https://youtu.be/sZi8EhuJznE

02-02-2022, 03:00 PM	#10
68 P.O.S. Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 1,662	Re: 69 steering column question You need one of these at the end of your shift handle to help with the slop: https://www.classicparts.com/1967-74...info/91%2D108/ __________________ 72 C10 lwb fleetside -stock 350/350 combo

02-03-2022, 11:56 AM	#12
68 P.O.S. Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 1,662	Re: 69 steering column question I've had the same issue. Maybe heat 'em up a little before installing. Regardless, it will still work fine. __________________ 72 C10 lwb fleetside -stock 350/350 combo

02-03-2022, 01:04 PM	#14
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,623	Re: 69 steering column question You guys are a wealth of info! When I moved the column 1" forward several months ago, the neutral safety switch got pushed up against the firewall pad and has been acting goofy. So next up is moving the switch 1" further up the column. Looks like more trouble than I had hoped because I need to duplicate this tab on the shift tube. The fun never stops! Attached Images __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 36 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

02-03-2022, 01:11 PM	#15
Accelo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: washington Posts: 2,320	Re: 69 steering column question Here is a YouTube video of the 1972 Chevy C10 steering column disassembly. Missing some details but worth the watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44jKQvBrCec

02-03-2022, 05:44 PM	#16
BigBird05 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Cheraw Posts: 1,300	Re: 69 steering column question Cut the tab off and weld it in place.



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