Steering Column
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
Steering Column
Again it's time to rebuild the steering column, it's either the lower bearing retainer, or the ball with the plastic retainer column bearing that just does not last more than 2-3 years. Looking at replacing the column with an after market and be done with it. Found Summit, Ididit, and Flaming River offer them and thought I would check to see if member(s) have experience with these columns and can offer suggestions or advice?? It's for the 65 w/ the floor shift and P/S upgrade. Comments, or suggestions appreciated.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 860
Likes: 13
From: Asheville, NC
I believe you will have to use an aftermarket steering wheel with any of those columns if that matters to you. Definitely a plus to have a floor shift. I have looked into them, but the "application specific" Ididit ones must be made from gold judging from the price.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
Oh yea, appears the cheapest, non tilt and paintable aftermarket columns run around $300, and it does not include the cost of the steering wheel. I was curious if installation was labor intensive, if there were any member input on quality, and curious about supplier's customer support department??
The 65 came with the T18 4 speed so the P/S upgrade did not involve having to shorten the column but I did have to shorten the shaft and probly 1 of the reasons the rebuild kit do not last. Intend removing and taking a close look before deciding on a replacement, appears there's a metal cup that is now protruding from the end of the column just before the rag joint, and don't believe it's the bearing retainer???
The 65 came with the T18 4 speed so the P/S upgrade did not involve having to shorten the column but I did have to shorten the shaft and probly 1 of the reasons the rebuild kit do not last. Intend removing and taking a close look before deciding on a replacement, appears there's a metal cup that is now protruding from the end of the column just before the rag joint, and don't believe it's the bearing retainer???
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 860
Likes: 13
From: Asheville, NC
I know some of the repop places sell a little cup that goes below the bearing that is a weld in item. Maybe that is the piece you see. Macs calls it the steering column lower bearing cup support flange and gives a # of C5TZ-3508
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
The more I check into the aftermarket columns the more motivated I am to see what I can do to restore the original. Again, thank you.
Welder User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 50
From: northwest MT
Beware of the copycat aftermarket columns being sold on ebay for less money.........they are imported and absolute junk. The Ididit and Flaming River, etc columns are quality units, and the price reflects it.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
Intend pulling the column next week and give it a close inspection. Thought it best to pull up the PDF installation manual for Flaming River, and IDIDIt and see what is involved. From what I can gather IDIDIT has a selection of columns to choose from for the 65-66 Ford truck, which I assume are direct fits; whereas, Flaming River apparently only offers a 'universal' column. According to IDIDIT web there's a distributer in Campbell;if so, intend giving them a visit and get as much info as possible, then it's a matter who offers the column at the best price. Thanks to you all for the input, it is greatly appreciated!!.
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
C5TZ-3D681-A is the lower bearing retainer, it came with the bearing (C3DZ-3517-A) and sleeve (B1AZ-3518-A).
Bearing and sleeve also available individually from Ford, retainer is obsolete.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
Bill, thank you for posting the diag. it will come in handy.
Don't know if the item exist under that p/n; having said that, in the DC catalog the p/n mentioned by 'becky is a 66' is referred to as the STEERING COLUMN LOWER BEARING CUP SUPPORT FLANGE, which is the item I did not use with the last column repair and attempting to locate just in case. I don't believe that cup has come loose, what ever comes after than I either installed incorrectly, or does not belong there to begin with. I am going to have to see what the issue is and whether I can locate the parts needed to make a good repair, seem to recall when I purchasing the items for the last repair it included a cheap replacement bearing and I had my suspicions then? Some of the items I purchased from DC for the last repair were not in their catalog, including the cheap bearing. Certainly would like to keep the original, not to mention the cost for repairing at $30 vs IDIDIT replacement of $600 it may come down to whether it can be repaired finding quality replacement parts.
http://www.parts123.com/brand/dennis...4g7066-med.jpg
Don't know if the item exist under that p/n; having said that, in the DC catalog the p/n mentioned by 'becky is a 66' is referred to as the STEERING COLUMN LOWER BEARING CUP SUPPORT FLANGE, which is the item I did not use with the last column repair and attempting to locate just in case. I don't believe that cup has come loose, what ever comes after than I either installed incorrectly, or does not belong there to begin with. I am going to have to see what the issue is and whether I can locate the parts needed to make a good repair, seem to recall when I purchasing the items for the last repair it included a cheap replacement bearing and I had my suspicions then? Some of the items I purchased from DC for the last repair were not in their catalog, including the cheap bearing. Certainly would like to keep the original, not to mention the cost for repairing at $30 vs IDIDIT replacement of $600 it may come down to whether it can be repaired finding quality replacement parts.
http://www.parts123.com/brand/dennis...4g7066-med.jpg
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 137
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From: Campbell, CA
Dave,
I found Summit Racing to have the best pricing. I don't think they keep them in stock, I had to wait about three weeks for mine. When I found out about the lead time I called other distributors and they all quoted the same lead time. I think I know who you are talking about in Campbell he might be able to match Summits price.
I found Summit Racing to have the best pricing. I don't think they keep them in stock, I had to wait about three weeks for mine. When I found out about the lead time I called other distributors and they all quoted the same lead time. I think I know who you are talking about in Campbell he might be able to match Summits price.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
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From: Boulder Creek, Ca
I will deny saying it but there have been occasion where I have gone to the supplier and pumped them for information and then gone online and looked for the cheaper price. If the difference in cost is narrow then likely stay local in the event I have a problem with the installation. From reviewing their web site if I were to take the original column to the distributer they would be responsible for selecting the correct column plus they could match the splines on the column shaft with the rag joint and the splines for the original steering wheel??
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
Removed the column and it appears it can be repaired for the last and final time. Believe what I thought was part of the lower bearing support cup included a portion of the lower bearing I failed to remove in the last repair job. Ordered the parts from SoCal supplier; should have the parts by the end of the week???? In the meantime, awaiting the parts, intend taking my column to the IDIDIT distributor and see if they have any suggestions/rec's. Thanks to all for the comments, suggestions, and diagram, greatly appreciated.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
Don't recall ever posting comments about poor service thru Ford part supplier's but what is going on with the outfit out of Pomona, Ca., would not be so bad had I not called to confirm the items were in stock, it has now been 2 weeks and waiting, how long does it take to travel 400 miles???
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Don't recall ever posting comments about poor service thru Ford part suppliers, but what is going on with the outfit out of Pomona CA?
Would not be so bad had I not called to confirm the items were in stock, it has now been 2 weeks and waiting. How long does it take to travel less than 300 miles???
Would not be so bad had I not called to confirm the items were in stock, it has now been 2 weeks and waiting. How long does it take to travel less than 300 miles???
People order parts, when they don't arrive, they attempt to contact seller, but he fails to respond.
The good news is, I'm about 16 miles R/T away, so if you can't reach seller, I could swing on by...
You know, of course, that the bearing (C3DZ-3517-A) and nylon sleeve (B1AZ-3518-A) you ordered from J are available from Ford (same as 1965/66 Mustang and etc).
And...you know you coulda bought them in WA from FTE sponsor horizonpartsguy.com for a discount.
I assume you know, cuz I've typed this info dozens of times in this forum.