Steering column what did I do wrong - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cj847 · 03-01-2023, 03:39 PM

1967 automatic non tilt column.

I disassembled it and replaced the upper and lower bearings. Reassembled and everything seemed fine. But, for lack of a better description, the shift tube is not returning. Basically, there is no safety to keep from pulling it out of park. It was working before disassembly.
There are not many moving parts to this assembly, but I can't figure out what is wrong. It seems almost impossible.
Also, it seems "tight" when moving the shift lever, especially out of park. Any ideas?

cj847 · 03-01-2023, 04:07 PM

Some pics

ochremo · 03-01-2023, 04:17 PM

The locknut where the trans linkage fastens to the column could be too tight.

**HO455** · 03-01-2023, 07:17 PM

This thread should help. Look at the photos of the detent mechanism at the base of the column, I believe that is where your problem is.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=491049

cj847 · 03-01-2023, 07:55 PM

Thanks for the comments. I do have an update to my earlier post.

1) The park lock position has been broken off. I had not noticed that before. I guess I always pulled up to shift. But anyway the "hard to pull into gear" remains. The first gear stop is about all that is left of my detent mechanism.

2) Today I loosened the preload on the lower bearing hoping that was the problem. It was not.

**HO455** · 03-01-2023, 08:48 PM

The spring clamp on the bottom can make the shifter movement hard and it is not easy to get it set correctly. I used a clamp and vise grip so I could control the movement of the clamp on mine when I replaced the steering box and rag joint on my Burban.
See link below and scroll to post 849 to see photo of clamps with additional information on the next page

I hope this helps.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...698377&page=34

**pjmoreland** · 03-01-2023, 10:09 PM

The cylindrical piece that mounts at the bottom of the column and houses the lower bearing has some adjustment to it. The screws that attach it to the column pass through a band and some slots that are at an angle. With the screws loose, you can rotate this assembly to either increase or decrease the clearance between the detent plate and the arm that the shift rod connects to. If there is inadequate space between the detent plate and arm, then they could be binding up on each other.

03-01-2023, 03:39 PM	#1
cj847 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Ft Smith, AR Posts: 543	Steering column what did I do wrong 1967 automatic non tilt column. I disassembled it and replaced the upper and lower bearings. Reassembled and everything seemed fine. But, for lack of a better description, the shift tube is not returning. Basically, there is no safety to keep from pulling it out of park. It was working before disassembly. There are not many moving parts to this assembly, but I can't figure out what is wrong. It seems almost impossible. Also, it seems "tight" when moving the shift lever, especially out of park. Any ideas?

03-01-2023, 04:07 PM	#2
cj847 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Ft Smith, AR Posts: 543	Re: Steering column what did I do wrong Some pics Attached Images

03-01-2023, 04:17 PM	#3
ochremo Registered User Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Kearney Mo Posts: 25	Re: Steering column what did I do wrong The locknut where the trans linkage fastens to the column could be too tight.

03-01-2023, 07:17 PM	#4
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 10,818	Re: Steering column what did I do wrong This thread should help. Look at the photos of the detent mechanism at the base of the column, I believe that is where your problem is. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=491049 __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban the WMB,1991 S(stink)-10 Blazer,1969 GTO, 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird. 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

03-01-2023, 07:55 PM	#5
cj847 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Ft Smith, AR Posts: 543	Re: Steering column what did I do wrong Thanks for the comments. I do have an update to my earlier post. 1) The park lock position has been broken off. I had not noticed that before. I guess I always pulled up to shift. But anyway the "hard to pull into gear" remains. The first gear stop is about all that is left of my detent mechanism. 2) Today I loosened the preload on the lower bearing hoping that was the problem. It was not.

03-01-2023, 08:48 PM	#6
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 10,818	Re: Steering column what did I do wrong The spring clamp on the bottom can make the shifter movement hard and it is not easy to get it set correctly. I used a clamp and vise grip so I could control the movement of the clamp on mine when I replaced the steering box and rag joint on my Burban. See link below and scroll to post 849 to see photo of clamps with additional information on the next page I hope this helps. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...698377&page=34 __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban the WMB,1991 S(stink)-10 Blazer,1969 GTO, 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird. 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

03-01-2023, 10:09 PM	#7
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 5,332	Re: Steering column what did I do wrong The cylindrical piece that mounts at the bottom of the column and houses the lower bearing has some adjustment to it. The screws that attach it to the column pass through a band and some slots that are at an angle. With the screws loose, you can rotate this assembly to either increase or decrease the clearance between the detent plate and the arm that the shift rod connects to. If there is inadequate space between the detent plate and arm, then they could be binding up on each other.



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