Usually a truck that always runs is a good thing.. Last night I pull in the driveway and instinctually turn the key off and pull it out... But the truck keeps running. I pop the hood and pull the main fuse to kill it. I tore it all down, wheel off etc. I can see the little rod that's on top moving back and forth when I turn the key but it doesn't feel like when I spin the key back(off) that there's anything mechanical happening. The rod IS returning. Also, the steering wheel lock isn't working, I can pull it into gear with the key off. Help is appreciated, and apparently necessary.

 

Dissconect the GPR (glow plug relay) and see if it'll turn off then.
A bad GPR can internally short and back-feed fuse #22 keeping the PCM alive keeping the engine running.

 

Will do, thanks for the idea. I just read that in a really old thread a few minutes ago. I didn't know that could even happen. I'll check it out after work tomorrow.

 

So I've got this mothertrucker tore down and I can see that the lower rod is freeballin' but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to access it. The tilt setup looks like it's all one piece, I know there's a way I just can't visualize it and I don't want to tear it down so far I can't get it back together. Any tips on this one?

Side note to anyone pulling the wheel on one of these.. There aren't any tapped holes for a puller. I have a whole top box full of pullers and jaws, in the end I had to swear, sweat and schedule beer breaks to get the thing off with my bare hands, it was a pita.

 

Ok, found this video. Pretty clear now. Thank you to this guy for making a boring but priceless video. Hope this helps someone down the road, as for me I'm going to start breaking down the column even further.

 

Update: I got the new actuator in which required a lot of grinding to be able to rotate it into place. It's in but now I can't get the tilt assembly to seat evenly on the left side. It's a struggle and I can't see exactly what the hang up is either.

 

Project complete, I think now that I've done it once it's probably only a 2-3 hour deal. If anyone needs help with this project now or in the future - pm me and I'll help however I can. There's a few tricks along the way that will save much time and agony.

 

Right on man!
And I agree that video is very helpful.
I like things that are broken down completely. Some videos they have a time lapse where they do like 10-20 'minor' things that someone who doesnt have the background knowledge would get confused.