69 Camaro Standard Steering Column Spring

[blackss69]

I have a 69 Camaro with the standard steering column floor shift.  I have started to put the column together from pieces and find I am missing the "Shift Tube Spring".  This is item number 27 in the Service Manual.  It is called out in Step 7 in the Assembly Procedures in the Service Manual.  It looks like it is by the Shift Tube Lock Plate (item 26). 

I do not have the spring and wonder if there is really a spring in the column and if so could someone tell me the dimensions of the spring.  I looked at the column and really can't see where it would go if I had one (there is no wear where a spring would have gone).   

Thanks for your help. 

Black and Blue Camaros. 

[z28z11]

Yes, there is a spring in the assembly - here's the pic, dimensions as follows:

Length: .825", ground flat on both ends.

Outside diameter: .9875"

Inside diameter: .771"

Coil (wire) thickness: .106"

You'll need to buy or fabricate a compressor to depress the top cover plate under this spring's pressure in order to push the keeper in place. A little cumbersome, but have patience -

Regards,
Steve

[KevinW]

I remember that puppy! Makes it hard to get the clip ring installed   I may have an extra, where are you located? 

[blackss69]

Thanks for the replies.  The spring in the picture looks to me like the spring under the lock plate.  I have this spring.  You are right about compressing the lock plate to remove the round ring retainer.  I have the tool and it makes it easier.

The spring I wonder about is smaller and sits between the ignition/turn signal housing and the "dummy" shift housing (since it is a floor shift).  I think the spring mentioned is used only if you have a column shift, but I'm not sure.  I think the illustration is confusing in the Service Manual.  I hope this makes sense.

Thanks

[KevinW]

Ah, I think there was a spring behind the auto column shift arm, so that it would spring back when putting it in gear. 

[blackss69]

Looking at the lower shroud of the column and you can see a casting location that would allow a 5/16 or 3/8 inch spring to be installed.  This casting location is in the same place as the reinforcement for a shift lever.  Since it is a floor shift there is no shift lever.  So I think it is as Kevin W responded.  If there was a shift lever you would need a spring.  The column goes together fine without the spring so I really do not think it was used for a floor shift column.
 
I looked at the parts in the area involved and there was no wear like you would see if the spring were once installed.

Thanks everyone for the information.

Black and Blue Camaros