Steering wheel/column removal from Shell Valley Cobra

[Road King]

Need some advice from anyone who has removed the steering wheel and column from a Shell Valley Cobra. I have everything completely disassembled but the steering column/shaft will not move. I am in the process of removing my dashboard and replacing it with a new one and the steering wheel and column has to be removed. Sure could use some guidance from any Shell Valley owners. My Cobra is a 1991 427. Thanks!!

[RedSnake351]

Hey, Road King, since you're in Elburn how about seeing the guys at Clayton's Speed Shop. They are about 1/4 mile east of the Elburn Police Station, on the right hand side. They are members of WCCC and Jerry, the old guy, is always in the mood to talk Cobras and Hot Rods.
Ralph
PS: Tell them RedSnake sent ya and see what happens!

[blykins]

On my car, there is an aluminum column. It has two bearings in it that the 3/4" solid shaft goes through. The lower shaft that connects to the rack is about 7/8" OD with 3/4" ID. The upper shaft goes down into it and there is a roll pin that goes through both.

The aluminum column is held to the cowl hoop by a mounted clamp. It's held on the footbox side by an aluminum bracket.

Under the steering wheel is an aluminum hub. The solid upper shaft is threaded on the end and the aluminum hub is held to the upper shaft by a nut.

Hope this helps.....let me know if I can give you more information.

[ksmiff]

Call the boys at Shell Valley. They will tell you anything you need to know.

[blykins]

BTW.....I have a buddy with a car about the same age as yours. He says the lower/upper shafts are welded together. You may wanna check that out.

[Road King]

Thanks to all who have responded! I gave a call to Jerry Clayton and he provided quite a bit of advice and some names of other individuals close by with similar Shell Valley Cobra's. I did finally notice (after standing on my head in the engine compartment) that there is a snap ring on the end of the steering shaft and I think once I remove the snap ring the wheel and shaft will hopefully pull straight out through the passenger compartment.

I stuck my digital camera under the steering shaft and took a bunch of photo's and after enlarging one I could actually see the snap ring! Had I not used the camera, the next step might have been the sawsall!! Thanks again to everyone who offered help.

[Jerry Clayton]

Every sawsall should come with a welder!!!!

New tool announced---camera cell phones-- soon to be available on every snap=on and mac tool truck--area parts house numbers already set up on speed dial--
Got to call my patent attorney first thing Monday

Jerry