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GT6 GT6+ disassembling steering column

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19_again

Jedi Warrior
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https://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-7/1317492/LOCK.JPG
https://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-7/1317492/DSCF0012.JPG

I can't remove the inside column even though I have it completely freed internally. The only thing I can think of is that the ignition must have a steering lock and I can't get past it as I pull the wheel. The ignition module is attached with a clip but the bolts have been cut or ground off, so I can't remove it. All this just to change out the internal bushings, it's one of those might as wells while the car is being rebuilt. Is there something I'm missing here? I am following Bentley to the letter.
Thanks,
Mike
 
Re: disassembling steering column

LOCK.JPG



DSCF0012.JPG
 
Re: disassembling steering column

Now 's the time to replace those anti theft,or what ever they are called screws with socket head bolts.Might as well powder coat everything too. :laugh:
 
Re: disassembling steering column

Those anti-theft things are a pain.
There is an extension, looks like an hourglass, that was on them, tighten until they break.

I have removed them several ways.
One is a Dremel with a cutoff wheel, grind a slot right across the middle and use a slot-head screwdriver to remove them.

The other is a very small chisel, catch the edge and work it out (once it is "loose", a short piece of fuel line can be held against it to spin it out).

I would use allen-head bolts when I put it back together again.

Drilling it out, maybe, if you can get just the head off and pull the top cap, so you can grab the remains with the cap off and twist it out.
 
Re: disassembling steering column

So the consensus is that there is a rod or some type of stud that is attached to that ignition module and it extends down into the housing and that is what's blocking the column from being pulled out? And by breaking off that clamp, I'll free up the column. Dremel was my next move, allen screws is a great idea.
 
Re: disassembling steering column

Don't break the clamp off!! The screws had a head on them that the factory broke off when they installed the lock. This prevents tampering. You can drill a hole into the screw and use an easy out to remove the screws, just use a drill smaller than the inside diameter of the screw threads. This is just like removing a broken screw. Work slowly and you can save all of the parts. Yes there is a bolt that goes into the inner shaft to lock it. Buy replacement allen socket head screws as replacements.
 
Re: disassembling steering column

The screws usually are case-hardened, so make sure when you drill you get dead-center.
And it doesn't drift off to the side (BTDT).

I don't know what kind of a part locks the column (I know it's a bar, but whether or not it stays engaged in a ring to hold it I don't recall), but you have tried it with the key turned all the way on, right?

The reason this was brought up (I believe), is that drilling or cutting those bolts out NOW, with the column OUT, is a whole lot easier than on your back on the floorpan with chips flying into your face if anything goes wrong with the ignition and you need to work on it.

Last one I did was probably 20 years ago, don't recall it being any special problem.

But, it WAS 20 years ago.....
 
Re: disassembling steering column

Yup, tried the key in all positions, the column still turns a complete 360 degrees in all positions. That is what is baffling me that it turns 360, and yet somehow the darn thing is still locked??? I can pull the wheel/column about 7.5 inches inside the outer column, but the cutout area in the inner column that has been machined out, presumably to allow for the locking device to seat is 8.5 inches from the end of the column. In other words the cutout area doesn't reach the clamp area before the inner column stops. I can turn the inner column so that the cutout area is facing down and away from the clamp and it still hangs up.
No doubt I'll be doing this now while it's apart, but this type of foolishness is annoying.
Startech, you say there's an inner bolt, how can that be engaged and still allow for the free spinning of the column? There must be a ridge around the column that is bigger than an opening somewhere inside the column and a bolt prohibits the removal of the column but still allows for the wheel to be turned? What kind of anti-theft is that?
 
Re: disassembling steering column

I have checked my books, trying to see if I have forgotten something, can't find it, yet.
This IS a GT6, right?
 
Re: disassembling steering column

yes, 1970 GT6+. I had tried to edit the title to reflect that but I think it was too late
 
Re: disassembling steering column

Okay.
I am not sure, as my diagrams are no longer sorted properly, BUT:

At the bottom of the column (other end from the ignition) should be another aluminium plate.
In the centre of the flat portion should be a bolt, I think an allen head bolt.
THAT is the lock bolt, the plate is the lock plate.
There is a nut on the allen bolt.

Does your GT6 have that?
(close to the floor pan/firewall)
 
Re: disassembling steering column

There is an "impact clamp" with a set screw or allen bolt with a nut on it as you described, but that has already been completely removed from the assembly. I can pull on the steering wheel, causing the column to disappear into the outer column or sheething, but once inside something on the internal column to hit some kind of obstruction.
 
Re: disassembling steering column

Okay, well, that should have done it.
The only thing left is some kind of boss on the ignition clamp hitting a raised portion on the inner column.
There is a BIG boss on the inner column for the ignition lock, but if you can pull it through that far, you are out of the range of it affecting removal.

The trafficator cancelling cam is on the upper column, between the ignition lock and the wheel.

Does it come out of the column?
Can you re-insert the inner coumn to stock position and access the cam through the port provided and pop it off?

All I can think is the lobe is hitting the bushing at the top of the column.
I can't remember (been a LONG time), but I THINK the cam is held on by spring pressure with a couple of tabs per side into dimples in the inner column.
 
Re: disassembling steering column

I will have to check when I get home for the trafficator cancelling cam, as that has me completely baffled. I can see the bushings' rubber "tabs" protruding through the outer sleeves, but the bottom one is passed completely by the inner column as it is drawn upward, perhaps the trafficator jobbie is the problem.
 
Re: disassembling steering column

I am still cogitating.....I think the big ignition lock boss on the column is going to prevent you from withdrawing the inner coumn out the top with the upper bushing in place.

I THINK the lower bushing needs to come out once you pull the inner column up, then you withdraw the inner column out the bottom (unless you can push the inner column down far enough to get the upper bushing out).

If you get one end bushing out, there will be clearance to get the inner column out that end, even with the trafficator cam and lock boss in place.

Nothing will go through those bushings if they are of bigger diameter than the shaft proper, and botht he trafficator cam IS bigger, as is the locking boss for the ignition.
 
Re: disassembling steering column

The bolt I was referring to is the part of the lock that extends into the inner shaft to prevent it from turning. Sorry for any confusion I may have caused. The tamperproof part of the screws with the break off heads is to prevent the entire lock assembly from being removed from the column. Have you been able to remove the inner shaft yet?
 
Re: disassembling steering column

No, I can spin the inner shaft freely, but it still hits some type of obstruction when trying to remove from the top. If in fact my unit has that bolt you referred to, it ain't working. The ignition module is still on there and I can spin the steering wheel all day. Don't apologize, I'm pretty sure he confusion is all mine, this <span style="font-style: italic">cannot</span> be this difficult!
 
Re: disassembling steering column

My guess is that you will not get it out until you remove the ignition hardware. Looking at the diagrams makes me believe there is something on the shaft that is getting hung up on the bolts of the ignition. You will be able to spin it freely from what I can tell until the ign locking hardware is removed.
 
Re: disassembling steering column

It is not just an ignition lock. It also prevents rotation of the inner shaft when the key is removed. It does this like a dead bolt lock on your door at home. You need to remove the ignition switch assembly from the column before the inner shaft will come out. To do this you need to remove the 2 fasteners you can see in the 1st picture that you posted. You can use a chisel to loosen them or drill them and use an easy out.
 
Re: disassembling steering column

<span style="color: #FF0000">That's it!!!</span> I haven't removed the key, as a result the inner shaft is spinning freely and I can't get my head around why a free spinning shaft can't be removed. I will remove the key, and in so doing relieve pressure on some kind of lever that blocks the shaft. I had already determined through the input here that I was removing the ignition, but now the whole thing has come full circle. Will post back on my success in a day or two when I'm home and done.
Thank You!
 
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