Steering column woes
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Steering column woes
Oh man... Got in the 1985 Bronco today, automatic tilt wheel blah blah... turned the key and nothing. I am used to having to "nudge" the wheel to the right to get the starter to engage, but when I did that today, nothing happened. I pulled the wheel, and I was able to get the thing to start by pushing the "rod" down, but I can't seem to get it to shift into drive or anything. What the heck is going on with this evil thing? Is the ignition switch pretty easy to replace? I assume it is on top of the column. The other thing I am wondering is does that same switch prevent you from shifting into drive? Or is that something else? I am trying to sell this bad boy, and it won't let go.
If anyone knows how to work on columns, it's yours for $2500. A/C reworked, reblt 351w,new battery, new starter, new alternator, new regulator, reblt carb and tranny, and reblt rear end, new shocks all around,new universal joints and double cardon joint!$$$$new 33x12.5 tires, new fan clutch, distributor, pw/pl ect. Interior is so so. Austin Texas. 512-589-0107[URL=http://briefcase.yahoo.com/chadwspencer@sbcglobal.net]
If anyone knows how to work on columns, it's yours for $2500. A/C reworked, reblt 351w,new battery, new starter, new alternator, new regulator, reblt carb and tranny, and reblt rear end, new shocks all around,new universal joints and double cardon joint!$$$$new 33x12.5 tires, new fan clutch, distributor, pw/pl ect. Interior is so so. Austin Texas. 512-589-0107[URL=http://briefcase.yahoo.com/chadwspencer@sbcglobal.net]
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From: The South
Steering column woes
WHOA Lil' billy! Dont go selling it on account of this little set back!
What happened is this: Part of your ignition rod has broken. Happened to me a little while back. The piece that broke off is what keeps you from being able to put the Bronc in drive without the ignition being on.
Tear your column apart and take off your steering wheel. Find your rod, which IS on top of your column. Follow it up to your ignition. I almost garauntee that is what happened. the part is like 10 bucks from a the dealership...
the only problem you will have is that to get it back it you have to disassemble your tilt mechanism... or you can do what I did and grind your replacement part down a little bit and it will slide in nicely.
It is a simple fix that you can do in no time.
let me know if you have anymore questions.
Peace
What happened is this: Part of your ignition rod has broken. Happened to me a little while back. The piece that broke off is what keeps you from being able to put the Bronc in drive without the ignition being on.
Tear your column apart and take off your steering wheel. Find your rod, which IS on top of your column. Follow it up to your ignition. I almost garauntee that is what happened. the part is like 10 bucks from a the dealership...
the only problem you will have is that to get it back it you have to disassemble your tilt mechanism... or you can do what I did and grind your replacement part down a little bit and it will slide in nicely.
It is a simple fix that you can do in no time.
let me know if you have anymore questions.
Peace
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Steering column woes
I kinda figured that the rod was bent and or broken...
...So that rod is connected to something that actually prevents the car from shifting into drive??
I couldn't really see anything else there (around where the tilt was) that could keep it from shifting. The starting thing has been sort of intermittent, and I have always had to "tilt" the wheel. I was figuring that I would have to remove the drift pin where the rod attaches to the half horeshoe looking part that connects to the key switch... it is a weird fit. I already took the 3 hex head screws off the tilt, and the shift lever.
The reason I am selling the ol Bronc is becuase I just bought a 1971 El Camino. I kinda like the idea of no emmissions controls, no computer, and cheap a$# parts all around. I am really a Ford guy, and this is my first Chevy, but I am soooo tired of tinkering. I have never even put the thing in four wheel to do anything... so it is a little impractical for me. It would do better in the hands of either a youngster, or someone who wanted to use the vehicle to its full potential.. The only thing I use it for is to scare the heck out of people driving small cars when I approach them to pass them. hehehee...So that rod is connected to something that actually prevents the car from shifting into drive??
...So that rod is connected to something that actually prevents the car from shifting into drive??
I couldn't really see anything else there (around where the tilt was) that could keep it from shifting. The starting thing has been sort of intermittent, and I have always had to "tilt" the wheel. I was figuring that I would have to remove the drift pin where the rod attaches to the half horeshoe looking part that connects to the key switch... it is a weird fit. I already took the 3 hex head screws off the tilt, and the shift lever.
The reason I am selling the ol Bronc is becuase I just bought a 1971 El Camino. I kinda like the idea of no emmissions controls, no computer, and cheap a$# parts all around. I am really a Ford guy, and this is my first Chevy, but I am soooo tired of tinkering. I have never even put the thing in four wheel to do anything... so it is a little impractical for me. It would do better in the hands of either a youngster, or someone who wanted to use the vehicle to its full potential.. The only thing I use it for is to scare the heck out of people driving small cars when I approach them to pass them. hehehee...So that rod is connected to something that actually prevents the car from shifting into drive??
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From: The South
Steering column woes
I think they call it an actuator...
when you turn your key it moves this actuator and allows your Tranny to shift.
I didnt fix mine for a long time. I just took off my ignition box that is attached to the top of the column and bolted it onto the underside of my dash under the column. I would just use the rod that I also took off and start the vehicle that way. NO KEY NEEDED! It was funny. I would let people try and steal it... they couldnt even figure it out... Kinda fun to watch.
anyways... follow your rod up and the actuator makes a quarter circle turn around your column. Sorry I couldnt find any diagrams... If I come across some I will let you know...
when you turn your key it moves this actuator and allows your Tranny to shift.
I didnt fix mine for a long time. I just took off my ignition box that is attached to the top of the column and bolted it onto the underside of my dash under the column. I would just use the rod that I also took off and start the vehicle that way. NO KEY NEEDED! It was funny. I would let people try and steal it... they couldnt even figure it out... Kinda fun to watch.
anyways... follow your rod up and the actuator makes a quarter circle turn around your column. Sorry I couldnt find any diagrams... If I come across some I will let you know...
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Steering column woes
That is funny... the whole try to steal it thing. I will take it down tomorrow and get parts on monday. I was really worried for a minute there. I guess I won't lose too much more money on this thing.
Thanks!
Chad
Thanks!
Chad
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From: The South
Steering column woes
nah, real cheap, real easy.... and you dont wanna go and do some crazy like sell your bronco because you got some stupid El Camino... I mean really... the thing doesnt even know what he is! Am I a truck, or am I a car? you can get committed for that crap if your a human! That thing should be locked up!
I hope you sense the humor and sarcasm... my girl loves el's. I am not a huge fan but it could be worse... she could love Fiats or something...
I hope you sense the humor and sarcasm... my girl loves el's. I am not a huge fan but it could be worse... she could love Fiats or something...
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