I jumped into removing my cab so I can paint my frame, and am now at point I've gotten the four mount bolts out. What do I do to separate the steering column from the frame?

I've looked at a detail of the steering wheel removal process, but it gets kinda deep. Do I mark the flexible joint on both shafts exactly where? can I just break it at the flexible joint without removing the steering wheel?

Any help with this is greatly appreciated as I'm deeper than I thought I'd ever be with this.

 

should be one nut w/bolt on the steering shaft down by the steering box. It might be possible you can get a prybar to pull the shaft off of the steering box without having to remove all of the interior bolts. But if not...Pull the nut and bolt off, then under the dash, remove the 4? bolts down behind the brake pedal, remove the 2? bolts up under the dashboard, and give the steering shaft a tug. Not too hard, cuz you have the wiring still intact. But that should pull the steering shaft apart by the box. No need to mark the shaft, just line your tires straight and your steering wheel level when putting it back together.

 

Something happened to my first reply... but anyway, I saw the bolt and will pull the wheel, can't see how to get it back in place later if I don't. Just thought I could break it a the flex part...

The manual went into elaborate detail about marking it and ten degree max deviation, etc is why I asked... if I can ballpark it straight I'll do that.

 

I got the steering wheel off, and marked the shaft just in case. can't get the wheel out because of the automatic linkage. I read the manual, it says pinch out the shaft through the grommet and replace it. Where to get the grommet?

 

Try any of the sponsors of this site. I try to not break them when I seperate the linkage. I use a little dawn dishsoap on the plastic to lubricate it a bit. So far I've been able to reuse the grommets everytime.

 

Hmm, I'll try that. Just don't want it to drop when I'm in the outback of Georgia somewhere.

With the number of sponsoring vendors parts aren't always easy to find. Looked in the LMC catalog-- maybe ten minutes online and ten minutes in hardcopy but if it was there I passed it, so I'll try again when I get back from work. Will try Blue Oval then elsewhere.

 

Unless the grommet is rotted or falling apart I would think it could still be used. I have never had to replace mine either. Take your time and slowly work the linkage and it should come out without damage to the grommet. I have used a long prybar to separate mine.

 

Well, I tried but had to abandon for the next weekend. Came back with a different set of pliers, and a little soap, it came out nice and clean.

got the steering wheel out and so job done!