1967 Firebird Coupe. I am installing a new turn signal switch. I am not able to get the 3 bolts to thread in. Also, the shifter now will not go into park. Do I need to pull the column apart further, down to the shifter?
Ok this can be a tough one. You may want to look for the shop manual on this so you can see an exploded view etc. I will try to explain as I just rebuilt my column recently with the help of a friend.
There is a plate that those three screws thread into. It's much like a very large washer with three threaded holes in it. There are three springs that go between the top cup and this washer. Basically you put this together off the column, then install it as one assembly. In order to get all of the parts off you have to remove to large nut that holds to the steering wheel on the shaft. Then there is a snap ring that also needs to come off. This will release all the parts you need to reassemble the entire mechanism.
I think this will all make more sense once you start pulling it apart. In fact, once you know how it all goes together, it can be done in the matter of minutes. I had mine apart a few times in less than an hour. My problem was that I kept pinching a wire and shorting things out etc.
It can be a trick trying to get everything down in the column and then also get the snap ring in place etc. Although it can be a bit of a challenge it's not too hard overall...
In the second pic above you can see the three machine screws, then look inside the column and you'll see the big ring with the three holes in it. There should be three springs over those screws then the screws get screwed into to the lower ring. Then, you install the complete assembly into the column. It can only fit one way as the lower "ring" is keyed to fit only one way. Then you rotate the assembly "locking" into place, then you tighten those three screws and it draws the cup down to the lower ring. Then you can get the snap ring back in place...
My guess as to why your springs are missing would be due to the fact that when people go to take a column apart they do not realize that those three screws are not supposed to be removed, just loosened so the assembly can be "unlocked" and removed as a whole. In my case the three springs were down inside the column, I am lucky they did not jamb up and lock the wheel while driving!
