i have a 97 powerstroke and the steering wheel is wobble how hard is it to replace the whole column? any help would be great!

 

That wobble you are feeling is probably the upper or lower steering column center shaft bearings that are worn out. I tore mine apart 5 years ago because it was starting to effect smooth steering. It was very loose and it was also grinding inside! I was out of town and I was worried it would leave me stranded so I was forced to take it in to the Ford garage. The mechanic said I had bad ball joints and also a damaged steering column and they wanted a ton of money to fix it! So, I slowly drove the truck home and parked it until the weekend! Well, the steering column drops out after you unbolt the lower support bolts, disconnect the various electrical connectors (don't break the plastic locking connectors!), and disconnect the shaft that runs through the floor board. I replaced the center shaft and also the upper and lower bearings. The shaft will probably be scored and scratched if the bearings are damaged. The previous owner probably pulled himself up in the seat by putting his weight on top of the wheel. The center shaft costs about $200 at Ford, but they gave it to me at half price because I was back and forth a bunch of times looking at their parts break down diagrams and they realized that I was on a mission to fix it myself! If you try to purchase a used steering column from another truck, then you will probably pay dearly at a junk yard! The hardest part was probably pulling the steering wheel off. If you don't already own a wheel puller, then rent a puller from the parts store. It took me 2 full days of work to get it apart, going back together was easier since it made sense by then and my confidence was boosted after seeing the shaft go back together and operating smoothly again! Coincidentally, I changed my front ball joints this last winter...

 

Ya no need to replace to whole thing. Those lil bearings are alot cheaper. Had to change them out also earlyer this year

 

it also doesnt turn the turn switch off then you turn and looks like some one was into it before and looks like its kinda messed up behind the wheel i found a column for 125$

 

On second thought, $125 is not a bad price, as long as everything on the column works and the steering turns smoothly. My 'multi-function' switch (ie-- turn signal assembly) isn't lined up correctly, so it turns off the blinker too soon, but I learned to live with it until I get around to replacing it. If you don't want to do the tear down/rebuild work, then maybe that used column is worth the money! Make sure it's for the same model year (I believe '92-'97 for 3/4 ton & 1 ton trucks, or '92-'96 for 1/2 ton trucks). Since my truck is a work truck, it doesn't have an air bag in the steering wheel (unlike my older '95 F-150 had-- that didn't deploy anyway when I was hit head-on by a drunk driver...). Remember: make sure the steering shaft is mated up correctly when you are done! The two biggest safety items that you need to care most about are steering and brakes! Everything you need to know for step-by-step tear down and reinstillation can be found in a Haynes Automotive Repair Manual. But note that they only go up to 1996 for that particular chasis-- (ie- yours and mine-- Old Body Style trucks, 1/2 ton stopped at 1996 but 3/4 & 1 ton trucks continued another year to 1997 for OBS), so go ahead and buy the book that is for 1980 thru 1996 F-100 thru F-350. Yes, the cover of the manual says it's for gasoline engine trucks but the chasis and electrical systems will be for diesels too. In fact, the electrical diagrams in Haynes manuals are pretty good! The Haynes manual # is 36058. It's a generic tear down procedure but the local Ford parts department will print you a more detailed illustrated parts breakdown if you ask them! Anyway, good luck brother and have fun!

 

Check out this link...hope it helps

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ml#post9500625

 

These columns are easy to work on,have an extra around here thats in pieces,replacing the keyset can be difficult without a key. ive noticed the newer 98s on up to 03 or perhaps later have the same column.The 92 on up were used in many ford cars and trucks.