I have an auto/tilt column in my '70 that I am suspicious about being the original column. The harness plug has been cut off and it is wired straight into the trucks harness. I got the truck this way. No ignition switch in the column. It is a Ford column. The problem I have is the lower bearing is bad and needs replaced. Have no idea what bearing I need.

 

The first pickup tilt was introduced in 78 in the Lariat model. An E series can be modified to work after about 6 1/2" is cut out of the middle.

If the PO didn't provide any info, I don't know what to offer other than taking the bad part with you and find another that matches.



John

 

Optional tilt wheel (not standard equipment on Lariats or any other models) introduced in 1978 F100/350's, Econolines and Bronco's. Operates off the turn signal handle by pressing it forward.

1978/79: The NSS is on the transmission / 1965/77: The NSS is on the column.

C3DZ-3517-A .. Steering Column Bearing / Available from Ford.

MSRP: $10.68 // FTE sponsor PARTSGUYED.COM price: $7.69.

Applications: 1961/65 F100/250 2WD/4WD (upper/lower) / 1966 F100 4WD (lower) / 1966/72 F100/250 2WD & F350 (upper/lower) / 1967/72 F100/250 4WD (lower).

1973/79 F100/350 2WD (lower ~ Tilt/non tilt makes no difference) / Myriad 1950/70's Passenger Cars.

 

Thanks ND. A dealer about 30 minutes from here has it in stock.

 

Would this bearing being bad cause the steering wheel to feel like it bounces up and down while driving down the road?

 

Possibly. There is one at the top and one at the bottom of the column. I have play in the steering and when checking I found the bad bearing allowing the steering shaft to move up and down before ever moving in a circular manner. Clear as mud? You should be able to move the wheel up and down if your upper bearing is bad.

 

All is good Mr.Bill, but if one of these guys wants to find one, he will need to be looking at the Lariats, them plain janes aint likely to have one.




John

 

I doubt you will find tilt wheels in Customs, cuz most were sold as 'price leaders' or as fleet vehicles.

But Rangers and Ranger XLT's were not, so just like Lariats, there's a better chance of finding one.

 

Like you guys say, the top-line Rangers and Lariats are the logical place to source one of these tilt columns but I've found the '78/'79 Explorer package models are also a good place to look. They're hard to miss with the extra striping usually on them and I've seen more with tilt than without; a poor man's Lariat, if you will...


mike

 

Mike I wonder if it has anything to do with location, while I have seen many explorers I don't recall ever seeing a tilt in one. I can imagine that it would have had a hefty add on fee in 78/79. The Lariat was the bossmans truck loaded to the hilt & not a lot of them in NC.

interesting



John

 

That's a good bet, John. Alberta's the biggest truck market in Canada much like Texas is for the US. Good oil and farming revenue probably was a cause for dealers to load these trucks up when ordering. So far, among the Explorers of that vintage I've come across here, and it might just be a fluke, it's running 6 to 1 in favor of tilt equipped. I had a very nice '79 460 F150 Explorer with tilt a few years back.


mike