Steering Wheel not seating properly

[Enzo500]

I've got a '66 F100. The steering wheel doesn't seem to seat all the way down to engage the horn contact or the turn signal release switch. I'm not convinced it is even the correct steering wheel. It feels as if the steering tube is 1/4" too far out or the diameter of the steering wheel mounting hole is too small to press down far enough. I've set a link to a photo of my problem. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Goto => http://kimpuliti.com/f100steeringwheel.jpg

[66 POJ]

Check your cab mounts. Could be sagging with the cancer.

[NumberDummy]

What is the diameter of the wheel? It should be plastic, have 3 spokes, match the interior color of the truck and is 17 inches in diameter. Either a horn button or a horn ring was used. The same steering wheel was used from 1964 thru 1970 on all 2WD F100/250's, and on 1967/70 F350's The wheel originally was first used on 1963 Falcons.


EDIT: That IS the correct steering wheel. Did you remove the wheel recently or was it that way when you got the truck? If you removed the wheel, what method did you use? Look at the bottom of the column under the hood, the steering shaft is one piece and connects to the steering gear box with a steering coupler (rag joint). That rag joint may have broken, or be disconnected...allowing the steering shaft to work its way up the column.


Did you remove anything from the lower portion of the wheel, like the canceling cam and large spacer plate?

[Enzo500]

I did have the "rag joint" replaced a while back,but as I recall the steering wheel has always had this problem since I bought the truck a year ago. If the steering shaft has worked its way up the column, can it be repaired or pushed back into place without ripping the whole thing apart again?

[NumberDummy]

If everything is correctly hooked up, I don't know why your wheel doesn't fit right, but you aren't the only one. I've seen this problem before, several times.

[airharley]

You can also adjust the outer column sleeve by loosening up the clamp on the firewall and the two bolts on the bottom of the dash. Slide the column up to close the gap. Then when you have it set where you want it tighten it all down.

[Enzo500]

Airharley...Thanks for the tip...that just might do it. I'll try lossening the colar and sliding the whole mess up to the steering wheel. All I need is about 3/8" of an inch to engage the turn signal cancel cam and have the horn contact button touch the contact plate.

[NumberDummy]

Enzo, when I looked at the picture you posted, it appears that one of the ears on the plastic retainer that holds the horn ring on is broken. Instead of fitting flush, the horn ring is canted. Those plastic retainers are still available from Ford and Napa. It's the same retainer many of the 1960/64 cars (and 1964 1/2 Mustangs-with generators) used.


C2DZ-13A809-A .. Horn Ring (or horn button) Retainer

[Enzo500]

Yup, I've already got a reatiner ring on order. Thanks for noticing. The bigger problem is the space between the steering wheel and the inards of the horn contact and turn signal cam. I'm going to try pulling the steering column sleeve up to the wheel tomorrow morning. I'll let you all know if that's the simple fix.

[66 POJ]

Is it hard to steer or seem to be rubbing?

[Enzo500]

Nope, steering is normal. The steering wheel is centered properly and tightened down snugly. It's just not making contact with the electrics.

[airharley]

I had a 69 F100 that the column outer sleeve slide down on while driving through the PA mountains a lot time ago. Scared the crap out of me when the steering started to lock up on me. That is how I know about the adjustment you can make on these wheels.

[Enzo500]

Problem solved. Thanks for all the input. WIth a little muscle a friend and I were able to slide the column sleeve up and the steering shaft down a little to close the gap. Now the horn works and the turn signal cancelling cam activates. Thanks.

[airharley]

Glad to hear that it all works now. I know the frustration that comes when you do everything you know you're supposed to do but it still wont work.

[NumberDummy]

Originally Posted by Enzo500

Problem solved. Thanks for all the input. WIth a little muscle a friend and I were able to slide the column sleeve up and the steering shaft down a little to close the gap. Now the horn works and the turn signal cancelling cam activates. Thanks.

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