GT6 1972 GT6 Steering Column

[Psevins]

OK, so I feel the fool for asking this but here we go. I've been mucking about in my mostly torn down GT6 and as I'm rebuilding the wiring harness I decided I needed to remove the column and such in order to more easily work. I've done this before (in a spitfire and tr3), yet for 2 months ive been stuck. I can't get the the thing removed. Mind you I haven't worked on it everyday but it is reaching a silly point. Everything on the inside is disconnected. The only attachment left is the knuckle joint which then goes into the box. I've loosened the clamping bolts and have managed to slide it up about 3/4 of an inch but no more. I know I'm going to replace most of the setup in the end but surely I shouldn't need to cut it out? Mention this because the steering was very loose prior to this ( 5-6 rotations to turn the wheels a degree or so). Not a big deal since it was just a rolling chasis in my garage at the moment. I assume perhaps something has become gnarled and won't release now? Or I'm missing something very obvious. Thanks for any input.

Psevins

 

[dklawson]

I have a '67 GT6 and a '72 Spitifire and I believe your steering setup should be more like my Spitfire.

Going from memory, once you have "all" the stuff disconnected inside, you have to loosen and remove the pinch bolt at the rack coupling to remove the column. I THINK there is a groove machined around the stub stiking out of the steering rack and the pinch bolt passes through that groove... acting as a second level of retention. If that bolt is still there I don't think you can remove the column. The 3/4" that you are describing MAY be present if you have loosened the clamp inside the passenger compartment that controls the "collapse" of the steering column.

 

[Psevins]

Thanks, i think my falacy was not removing the bolts entirely. They didnt look as though they needed to be but i suppose its all that remains. Trying to get some of this tiny stuff done before it gets cold here in Indiana.

 

[Andrew Mace]

I have found on occasion that it is necessary to "wedge" open just a bit the clamp part where the pinch bolt goes through, in order to actually separate that joint from the steering rack post.