Steering Column Help

Hi everybody,
I'm rebuilding my '75 standard steering column and have run up against a problem: What keeps (if anything) the central "steering column shaft" from sliding out, in the direction of the steering wheel, when
the column is on the bench? When it's installed in the car the end of
the shaft is splined into the rag joint which will hold it, but it seems like something ought to hold the shaft in, even when the column is out of the car. The manuals mentions a "shaft stop ring" on the central steering column shaft, and it's unclear what exactly they're referring to, but it appears they mean the little snap-ring positioned about 2" below the the snap ring that holds the lock-plate on. This "extra" snap ring is perhaps what they are referring to, but I don't know what it bumps up against to keep the shaft from sliding out-the only thing it could hit is the inside of the bearing, but the bearing can pop out with it, so it doesn't seem a positive stop. What am I missing??

Patricia Brown

see if this helps you out http://www.VetteRegistry.net/member_uploads/1301_1400/1333/column.jpg

Gary, Thanks for your help. That diagram looks very familiar. :) Actually, I got ahold of "Corvette Steering" in SC and he was very helpful. Apparently, that second, lower "shaft stop ring" does bump up against the bottom of the upper bearing in the case that the shaft tries to slip out toward steering wheel. The bearing is supposed to stop it, but my bearing would easily pop out of the turn signal housing where it seats. The man at Corvette Steering explained that when you remove the upper bearing for replacement, you tap it out and actually rip away a very thin "flashing" of metal that the factor crimps over the edge of the bearing after installing the bearing. This thin potmetal flashing, once gone, will allow the bearing to pop out of its seat too easily, thus not offering a solid stop for the "shaft stop ring". So, he explained to rough up the bearing seat area in the signal housing with sandpaper in horizontal scratches, clean thoroughly of any oil, grease with lacquer thinner, alcohol, etc., then appy good old JB Weld and let sit 24 hours. Nothing will budge that upper bearing now. (If you get a smidge of JBWeld in the bearing works he says not to worry-it'll crunch it out eventually.) Furthermore, for future interest, he says during a rebuild you don't need to even bother changing out the upper bearing (which I didn't know), as it sees very little, if any, real wear. Also, the "shaft stop ring" can be replaced if you remove it (which there should be no reason to ever remove it, but of course I did) with the same part number as the upper lock plate snap ring. Hope these hard-to-come-by little bits of info will help somebody stuck like I was.

i guess that means unless the bearing is damaged leave it alone.