How to drop a steering column?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2010
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How to drop a steering column?
I'm about to remove the clutch and brake pedal assembly on my 1973 F100, but the steering column is in the way. Does anyone have detailed pictures of how to drop the steering column? I don't need to remove it from the truck. I see there is a little metal cover attached to the instrumental panel, and under it there are two bolts that attached the column. Then at the firewall, there is a metal plate and rubber grommet. Other than that (which I haven't touched), I'm not sure what to disassemble.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
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From: NorCal
Remove the decorative cover, then there is a large clamp held on with nuts or bolts to the dash structure. Verify that the column's wiring harness has enough slack to allow the column to rest on the seat. If not, simply unplug it.
Personally, I'd remove it simply for clearance unless it's a column shift... then it's a PITA to get the linkages through the column hole.
Personally, I'd remove it simply for clearance unless it's a column shift... then it's a PITA to get the linkages through the column hole.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 207
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So I removed the cover and undid the clamp holding up the column, but it would not drop more than a half inch. Do I need to undo the bolts holding it to the firewall from inside and in the engine bay too? The service manual says to unbolt the flexible coupler, but I really don't want to deal with needing align my steering wheel.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2010
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Thanks for the advice, but it ended up being more intensive. To get the column to lower, I had to:
1. Loosen the 3 engine bay side steering column bolts
2. Loosen the 4 cab side hex-head screws on the gasket cover
3. Loosen the big clamp on in the engine bay the holds the steering column to the metal bracket
4. Remove the cab side clamp bolts, then it dropped down
As mentioned though, there was still not really enough room to remove the entire pedal assembly, so the column had to be removed. Reattaching the flex coupler will be a PITA though, since it is hard to reach between the master cylinder lines for access. Also, I find it crazy that a flexible piece of material is what links the steering wheel to the steering box!
1. Loosen the 3 engine bay side steering column bolts
2. Loosen the 4 cab side hex-head screws on the gasket cover
3. Loosen the big clamp on in the engine bay the holds the steering column to the metal bracket
4. Remove the cab side clamp bolts, then it dropped down
As mentioned though, there was still not really enough room to remove the entire pedal assembly, so the column had to be removed. Reattaching the flex coupler will be a PITA though, since it is hard to reach between the master cylinder lines for access. Also, I find it crazy that a flexible piece of material is what links the steering wheel to the steering box!
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,808
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From: The Shenandoah Valley
But it only flexes in the horizontal to allow for misalignment of two shafts .... it is really not flexible in it's other job of transferring rotational input from one shaft to the other .... and they last a really long long time.
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