Ignition switch actuator
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Ignition switch actuator
My 88 F-250 (auto trans, diesel) has a broken ignition actuator. It has broken right where the piece that locks the shift lever attaches to the curved part that goes to the ignition cylinder. I was able to get the old one out, since it was broken, but I am unable to get the new one back in. It needs to go straight in or else it binds up in the groove. I have a tilt wheel and no matter where I tilt it, I cannot get the thing back in. There are two pivot pins for the tilt wheel that hold the assembly together that look like they need to be removed so that I can get access. The problem is the spring for the tilt wheel is under a lot of pressure and I'm not sure I can get it back together. Any ideas on if I need to remove these pins to get in there and if so, how do I remove them? Or am I overlooking something easy? I have been without it for 5 days now and the grass sure is growing...
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Joined: May 2001
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From: washington
Ignition switch actuator
This is how I did it...
The pins remove easily with a 6mm ,(.20 pitch I believe, Watch it because there also is a .25 pitch 6mm bolt) bolt. They are easy to remove and you can probably use a set of pliers to remove them once you screw the bolt in. Or you can create your own tool. Once the pins are removed the column will move down about an inch. This still isn't enough room to install the actuator (atleast it wasn't in my case). All I needed was another 1/8th of an inch so I gently pryed on the column to gain the extra clearence. Then I had another person install the actuator while I was holding the column. The bet tool to pry is probably a cresent wrench because it is flat and wont gouge your column.
Don't worry about the spring load because it is easly to put back together!!!
Or you can do it the right way and disassemble your entire column. I gambled and won. Usually when I force stuff like that it breaks and I'm shopping for another column....
Good Luck!!!!
The pins remove easily with a 6mm ,(.20 pitch I believe, Watch it because there also is a .25 pitch 6mm bolt) bolt. They are easy to remove and you can probably use a set of pliers to remove them once you screw the bolt in. Or you can create your own tool. Once the pins are removed the column will move down about an inch. This still isn't enough room to install the actuator (atleast it wasn't in my case). All I needed was another 1/8th of an inch so I gently pryed on the column to gain the extra clearence. Then I had another person install the actuator while I was holding the column. The bet tool to pry is probably a cresent wrench because it is flat and wont gouge your column.
Don't worry about the spring load because it is easly to put back together!!!
Or you can do it the right way and disassemble your entire column. I gambled and won. Usually when I force stuff like that it breaks and I'm shopping for another column....
Good Luck!!!!
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