OK, this is my first adventure with a steering column, so bear with me. I am removing the column-shift column from my 69 and replacing it with a floor-shift column. I want to transfer the ignition lock cylinder from my old column into the new one, so I don't have to remove and re-key the door lock cylinders. Everything went smoothly with disassembling the old column and removing the ignition lock cylinder. However, there appears to be a problem with the new floor-shift column, which I bought at a swap meet. After installing the lock cylinder, it would not turn back to the "Off" position and allow the key to be removed. So I took the cylinder back out, and removed the ignition switch from down on the lower end of the column. I can now see that even with the lock cylinder and ignition switch both removed, the rack and sector does not have enough travel for some reason to rotate all the way counter-clockwise and allow the steering wheel to lock and the key to be removed. Does anyone with column experience have any ideas?

Thanks

There should be a lever on the lower end of your floor shift steering column. If you rotate the lever all the way to the "up" position, you should be able to rotate your ignition key and lock cylinder all the way to "off-lock".

With OEM floor shift steering column installations there should be a separate cable (or rod) coming from your transmission that pushes the lower lever on the steering column to the "up" position when you go into "Park" with an automatic or into "Reverse" with a manual transmission.

This back-drive system was a GM safety feature to prevent anyone from turning off their engine and also locking their steering wheel while the car was still going down the road.

A lot of people just wire the lever in the "up" position if the back drive system is broken or isn't working properly.

I don't know what you mean by "the rack and sector". However, I do know that you won't be able to shut off the engine (key won't turn enough to shut off) if the forward section of the column is rotated too far. Try moving the front section (forward of the lock, rearward of the dash) and see if that helps.

OK guys, many thanks to both of you. You both nailed it. The good news is, I now see that of course the key wouldn't turn back because the back drive linkage isn't in the "park" position. Bad news is, I now see that I disassembled the whole thing again for no reason, and I feel like a complete clown smile.gif I will try again after work this evening.

I have two papers that describe reassembly of the 1969 and later steering columns. One paper is for the standard (non-adjustable) column the other is for tilts. The papers (as well as drawings) can be found at
www.corvettefaq.com/A-car.asp (http://www.corvettefaq.com/A-car.asp)

You will need to download the following:
Std Strg Column 69-72 Disassembly & Repair Papers #1 & #2
Std Strg Column 69-72 Disassembly & Repair Pics #1 & #2
Std Strg Column 69-76 Blowup Pic
Std Strg Column 69-72 Column Parts & Mounting Pic

If you have a tilt column the papers are slightly different and all begin with Tilt Strg Column....

The papers will help you to readjust your ignition switch as well as providing a lot of column information.

Good luck,
Additional assistance is only a post or an eMail away!

Jim, actually I was using your papers already, and a million thanks to you for making them available. Don't know how I missed the part about rotating the back drive to the Park position. I was up very late working on it, I probably should have gone to bed and tried again when I wasn't so tired. I think I have what I need now. I am also replacing my dash wiring harness, gauge cluster and dash bezel while the column is out, so I don't expect to be done for a few days yet. I will let everyone know how it went.

OK, I rotated the backdrive lever around to the Park position, and it took me about 5 minutes to re-assemble the whole column. Thanks Jim!

I'm glad to see someone else doing project wrenchin' besides me... tongue.gif ;)

Yeah Bill, if you need help with your steering column, I have received much practice and instruction over the last 48 hours!