78 F250 4x4 AT without tilt. i had someone in last few months replace shift collar and now the hole shift tube just "broke loose" and spins. I took the wheel and everything apart last night to assess the situation. My main question is #1)how do you properly "dog down" the shift tube to where it engages the foot plate properly? I have the shop manuals and the diagram but was hoping for some practical advice/tip. I reserached the forum and there are tons of good posts pertaining to steering column work but after an hour or so of good reading I gave up and decided to post this specific question. also #2) the manual refers to a "wave washer" that goes in conjunction with the large spring. I have the spring but not sure about this washer's function other than I can see something in the bottom of the outer column housing so perhaps it's there...
thank you

 

This problem has nothing to do with the bottom of the steering column. The problem lies with the shift tube where it attaches to the shift collar.

The uppermost section of the shift tube has a rectangular shaped piece attached to it that is either welded or sweated on (cannot recall which).

When the shift tube is inserted into the shift collar, the collar has a provision for this piece, locks the tube in place.

If the tube is spinnng around, this piece has separated from the tube which is a somewhat common occurence in these trucks.

You have two choices: Dis-assemble the column, remove the separated piece from the shift collar, re-attach it to the tube, or replace the shift tube.

While the shop manual is helpful, does it have an exploded view of all the steering column parts? If not, consider: The 1973/79 Ford Light Truck Parts Catalog is available on a CD from hipoparts.com.

Shown here: Illustration Section 35, Page 33 / The pic says 1978/ F150 A/T fixed wheel 4WD, but it's the same as a like F250.

Several members have this catalog, can scan and post illustrations. (Edit: See Mikeo0o0o0 post #4) Look at the upper section of the tube, has 7212 with an arrow pointing to it. Look above...that's the piece I'm referring to.

Since this piece has no name...since it's part of the tube, I italized it.

 

Here is the illustration Bill is refering to.
Click on the .pdf link to view

 

Thank you Sir, much appreciated.

 

Well, I just hope the OP got the correct info on "the other site." Because...this problem has nothing to do with the bottom of the steering column as you stated.

The tube is completely round except where that piece attaches. So, there is nothing on the bottom of the tube that locks it place.

 

thanks all for the tips I will do further recon this weekend and provide a progress report in a couple of days. I saved the diagram that will be helpful. I have all the shop manuals and they are good but by themselves they aren't a perfect 100% guide. The manuals coupled with these forums are great!

 

upon further review just now I think what happened is the folks that put my new shift collar (or "lower flange") on a few months ago didn't reassemble everything just right and the assembly shifted out of position. Everything seems to be mostly OK. I have 2 things amiss---1)there isn't a shift lever bushing (and thankfully most all the normal vendors have these) and 2)the lever spring is broken and i'll need to monkey with some hardware store springs to find something that works better than what I have currently which is 2 broken pieces. I can see that it needs to be very stiff and 1-1/8"x 3/8" appx. A question I have is the two goofy upper flange "connecting bolts" -do the bolt head edges simply insert into the slots in the outer steering column assembly tube? that's about the only way I can see that it would work. Interesting to learn how this whole assembly fits together. Basically if i'm seeing it right you have a snap ring and a fraction of the edge of these 2 bolt heads are the only means to retain this assembly from "springing" out of where it is inserted into the shift fork. Am I thinking properly??? the shift collar/lower flange is solidly secured to the shift tube so no problem there.