| GMC Steering Column and Chuck Boyd [message #198877] |
Mon, 18 February 2013 12:23  |
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WD0AFQ
Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.
Karma: 207
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Senior Member |
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Teri and I finally got to see Chuck's new barn in person Thursday. What a place. The guy has a place to do any kind of work on a GMC over there.
But, what I was impressed with is Chuck's attention to the steering column of the GMC. Chuck has steering columns that he has rebuilt, lots of parts, and plenty of knowledge. Chuck does the telescoping columns too. I did not realize that the knuckle, where the wheel tilts, can actually go bad. I bet lots of folks have some original columns with a bad plastic joint here. Can you feel a little "crunching" when you turn the wheel? Might be this thing. I for one will say that my favorite thing on my renewed column is the dang headlight dimmer. I was sick and tired of looking for that dimmer switch with my left foot as we traveled. I have some bright headlights so I must dim them. If you are running the original headlights you won't need a dimmer, just drive on bright all the time. Should you be missing a left leg, this is a must, or that's what Chuck told me.
I realize much has been written on this topic but I never read it. When I saw just what Chuck can do, it got my attention. If you have problems call Chuck before Dothan. He will be there. While this is not all that Chuck does and knows about, he certainly has spent lots of time in the junk yards grabbing these things to rebuild. Don't know anything about his prices but they will be more than fair.
Thanks Chuck, for inviting Teri and me to stop by Thursday.
Dan
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| Re: GMC Steering Column and Chuck Boyd [message #198896 is a reply to message #198877] |
Mon, 18 February 2013 14:54  |
C Boyd
Messages: 2629
Registered: April 2006
Karma: 18
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Senior Member |
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Dan: thank you for the kind words. I wish you and Teri could have stayed longer and I could have showed you an issue with the knuckles. The 2 piece nylon ball has a C shaped spring inside it and it wears the upper shaft fork only on one side. I have 3 here and all are wore here. It makes the ball loose in one spot, probably straight ahead. Where it is wore is kinda in the middle so good thing is you can take it apart and clean and re grease and put in the ball in upside down to where the spring is rubbing on the other side of the fork. Since the wore part has good metal on both sides of the wear area it stays in contact with the ball so the tension is back with no loose spot. Changing to a later model column fixes this. I have found no wear in this area on columns out of Caddys or trucks since they don`t weigh 12,000 lb.
| WD0AFQ wrote on Mon, 18 February 2013 13:23 |
Teri and I finally got to see Chuck's new barn in person Thursday. What a place. The guy has a place to do any kind of work on a GMC over there.
But, what I was impressed with is Chuck's attention to the steering column of the GMC. Chuck has steering columns that he has rebuilt, lots of parts, and plenty of knowledge. Chuck does the telescoping columns too. I did not realize that the knuckle, where the wheel tilts, can actually go bad. I bet lots of folks have some original columns with a bad plastic joint here. Can you feel a little "crunching" when you turn the wheel? Might be this thing. I for one will say that my favorite thing on my renewed column is the dang headlight dimmer. I was sick and tired of looking for that dimmer switch with my left foot as we traveled. I have some bright headlights so I must dim them. If you are running the original headlights you won't need a dimmer, just drive on bright all the time. Should you be missing a left leg, this is a must, or that's what Chuck told me.
I realize much has been written on this topic but I never read it. When I saw just what Chuck can do, it got my attention. If you have problems call Chuck before Dothan. He will be there. While this is not all that Chuck does and knows about, he certainly has spent lots of time in the junk yards grabbing these things to rebuild. Don't know anything about his prices but they will be more than fair.
Thanks Chuck, for inviting Teri and me to stop by Thursday.
Dan
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C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
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| Re: GMC Steering Column and Chuck Boyd [message #198915 is a reply to message #198896] |
Mon, 18 February 2013 16:52 |
C Boyd
Messages: 2629
Registered: April 2006
Karma: 18
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Senior Member |
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Here are the pics Dan.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/s-10-steering-wheel-caddy-conversion/p47388-wear-pattern.html
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/s-10-steering-wheel-caddy-conversion/p47387-gmc-steering-knuckle.html
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/s-10-steering-wheel-caddy-conversion/p47389-dsc00274.html
| C Boyd wrote on Mon, 18 February 2013 15:54 |
Dan: thank you for the kind words. I wish you and Teri could have stayed longer and I could have showed you an issue with the knuckles. The 2 piece nylon ball has a C shaped spring inside it and it wears the upper shaft fork only on one side. I have 3 here and all are wore here. It makes the ball loose in one spot, probably straight ahead. Where it is wore is kinda in the middle so good thing is you can take it apart and clean and re grease and put in the ball in upside down to where the spring is rubbing on the other side of the fork. Since the wore part has good metal on both sides of the wear area it stays in contact with the ball so the tension is back with no loose spot. Changing to a later model column fixes this. I have found no wear in this area on columns out of Caddys or trucks since they don`t weigh 12,000 lb.
| WD0AFQ wrote on Mon, 18 February 2013 13:23 |
Teri and I finally got to see Chuck's new barn in person Thursday. What a place. The guy has a place to do any kind of work on a GMC over there.
But, what I was impressed with is Chuck's attention to the steering column of the GMC. Chuck has steering columns that he has rebuilt, lots of parts, and plenty of knowledge. Chuck does the telescoping columns too. I did not realize that the knuckle, where the wheel tilts, can actually go bad. I bet lots of folks have some original columns with a bad plastic joint here. Can you feel a little "crunching" when you turn the wheel? Might be this thing. I for one will say that my favorite thing on my renewed column is the dang headlight dimmer. I was sick and tired of looking for that dimmer switch with my left foot as we traveled. I have some bright headlights so I must dim them. If you are running the original headlights you won't need a dimmer, just drive on bright all the time. Should you be missing a left leg, this is a must, or that's what Chuck told me.
I realize much has been written on this topic but I never read it. When I saw just what Chuck can do, it got my attention. If you have problems call Chuck before Dothan. He will be there. While this is not all that Chuck does and knows about, he certainly has spent lots of time in the junk yards grabbing these things to rebuild. Don't know anything about his prices but they will be more than fair.
Thanks Chuck, for inviting Teri and me to stop by Thursday.
Dan
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C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
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| Re: GMC Steering Column and Chuck Boyd [message #198960 is a reply to message #198923] |
Mon, 18 February 2013 21:09 |
C Boyd
Messages: 2629
Registered: April 2006
Karma: 18
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Senior Member |
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Thanks Ken, you are welcome to bivwack here on the way, either or both ways. Cat has to work Thurs so we plan on leaving that evening.
| Ken Burton wrote on Mon, 18 February 2013 18:39 |
Chuck, If you are going to Dothan, I'll try to remember to bring your Tracker radiator.
Ken
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C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
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| Re: GMC Steering Column and Chuck Boyd [message #198969 is a reply to message #198960] |
Mon, 18 February 2013 21:27 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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The earliest we can leave here is Friday AM. Laurie has a class Thursday night. It is a 2 day trip so we will not be there before Sunday AM or very late Saturday.
I'll bring the radiator and give it to you there.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: GMC Steering Column and Chuck Boyd [message #198984 is a reply to message #198973] |
Mon, 18 February 2013 22:21 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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| Larry wrote on Mon, 18 February 2013 21:52 |
| Ken Burton wrote on Mon, 18 February 2013 21:27 |
The earliest we can leave here is Friday AM. Laurie has a class Thursday night. It is a 2 day trip so we will not be there before Sunday AM or very late Saturday.
I'll bring the radiator and give it to you there.
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Humph....Radiator? What happend to the radiator?
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Nothing happened. I had a new one for him that I got when I picked up his replacement engine. When I got someone to take the engine to Tennessee last fall I forgot to send the radiator along with the engine.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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