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How do I get the steering column apart? 1957 Special


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Getting some parts ready for paint.  I need to get the column apart so I can get it cleaned up, not sure how.  There are some interesting tapered fasteners under the steering wheel that I really don’t want to use a vice grip on, I’m assuming removing them would be a good first step.  Shop manual doesn’t cover it..

 

 

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Edited by Angelfish (see edit history)
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  • 3 weeks later...

Find a good reference point to take length measurements, then loosen that clamp in your last picture above. Also check for snap rings on the steering wheel end. But given the location I'd be tempted to tape it off.

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  • 1 month later...
Posted (edited)

Back to this again.  The steering wheel end unthreads and appears to allow the column to come apart.

 

The catch is, there is a tab, marked with a star in the picture, that interferes and will not allow it to unthread more than a few degrees.   The circular piece on the end, marked with a yellow circle, threads in and out if not for this interference.

 

It appears that I have to pry the tab out of the way, which seems like it will cause unnecessary damage. 
 

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

@EmTee  @57Century  @lancemb  @1957buickjim

 

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Edited by Angelfish (see edit history)
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What is holding the tab to the collar?  Are those rivets?  Assuming that's the case, I'd probably try drilling the heads off and then pry the tab off the collar.  Count the number of turns to remove the shaft so that it can be reassembled just as it is now.  Before reinstalling the shaft I would probably drill the remnants of the rivets and tap the holes for appropriately sized flat-head screws.  Once the shaft is back where it belongs, install the tab using Locktite (blue?) on the screws.

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I would not drill those rivits. Looking at it from a manufacturing perspective there is little chance the rivits could be placed in that position while the part was on an assembly line. Did you loosen that clamp on the other end. That's what it took to get my 56 column apart

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23 hours ago, JohnD1956 said:

Did you loosen that clamp on the other end. That's what it took to get my 56 column apart

Good point - seems like there should be another way to skin this cat...

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6 hours ago, 57Century said:

I don't recall taking that apart.

I believe it was covered before cleaning, sanding and paint.

If the bearing is good, I'm not sure I would dissamble.

 

 

57 steering a.jpg

 


How did you get this collar separated from the column?  That’s what I need to do so I can get them painted, white for the collar and black on the column.  

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On 10/11/2024 at 5:12 AM, EmTee said:

What is holding the tab to the collar?  Are those rivets?  Assuming that's the case, I'd probably try drilling the heads off and then pry the tab off the collar.  Count the number of turns to remove the shaft so that it can be reassembled just as it is now.  Before reinstalling the shaft I would probably drill the remnants of the rivets and tap the holes for appropriately sized flat-head screws.  Once the shaft is back where it belongs, install the tab using Locktite (blue?) on the screws.

Looks like everything is riveted.  But all I need is get the collar off so they can be painted.   Once again, probably making it harder then it needs to be.

 

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The bottom clamp comes right off but seems to have no function toward taking it apart.  

 

On 8/28/2024 at 4:09 PM, JohnD1956 said:

Find a good reference point to take length measurements, then loosen that clamp in your last picture above. Also check for snap rings on the steering wheel end. But given the location I'd be tempted to tape it off.

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