steering column replacement.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Joliet, IL
steering column replacement.
Real quick question guys. We have a couple days of warm weather here in Illinois so Im in the middle of looking into my steering column. It feels like a bearing went out which caused the cruise control and horn to stop functioning as well as cause the wheel to "bounce". So I took everything apart to find part fragments everywhere. Ive called a couple parts stores to find steering column rebuilds and was told I would have to buy a whole new column. My question is if this is true. And if so Im just getting one from a junkyard. And lastly, I just rented a steering wheel puller from Pep Boys to which it is not working. Is there a special one for our trucks. And mine is a 1997 f250 heavy duty if that makes a difference. It has the column shifter, OD button, and tilt.
Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 71
Likes: 6
It isn't true. LMC has individual parts.
Truck Parts & Truck Accessories for Chevy, GMC, Ford & Dodge Trucks | LMCTruck.com
Truck Parts & Truck Accessories for Chevy, GMC, Ford & Dodge Trucks | LMCTruck.com
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,728
Likes: 8
From: Cleveland, TN
To save yourself a bunch of hair pulling, when you search for parts for your '97 F250 HD, cheat!!!!! Look up parts for a 96.... some places don't list a 97 as an OBS (old body style) .. They lump them in with the 97 f150 body style, and that can make it hard to find the right parts.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Joliet, IL
So I was able to take it all apart. The bad news is that due to the holiday it wouldn't be possible for me to get the needed parts till either Thursday or Friday from either Ford or the parts stores. So I am going to the junkyard and getting a donor column to atleastget me back on the road. There was quite a lot of shavings in there so I am sure there are other worn parts. The only problem is the donor column is coming off a 96 bronco with an air bag. I was told that the parts would still work. This is true right?
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 326
Likes: 1
From: Carthage, MO
Do yourself a favor and replace the ignition actuators and the shifter tube (that long pot metal piece on top). It's more money and work right now, but both are prone to failure. Both available at Ford, we're looking at about $60 worth of parts.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 440
Likes: 8
This is actually very good advice.
I would advise this as well
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 983
Likes: 40
From: Colorado Springs CO
Pretty common failure.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Joliet, IL
I will definitely get those parts on order tomorrow. But out of curiosity, what happens to fail with the shifter tube and plunger? Secondly, I was able to get an intact steering column. Theoretically, all I would have to do is switch out the ignition and the steering wheel itself correct? Like I said before. My truck was not equipped with an air bag, while this steering wheel is.
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 326
Likes: 1
From: Carthage, MO
The shifter tube weakens and breaks in half, leaving you with no control over your transmission. That's happened on both of the F-150s in my sig (that you won't see in this post since I'm on mobile) Get new bushings for the tube, too. Makes it tight and very nice feeling. One more thing, I put blue threadlocker on the two screws at the front end of the tube. Those have been known to loosen up and cause sloppy shifts or totally fall out.
On the actuator, the pin usually falls out of the upper actuator, leaving the truck stuck in whichever key position it happens to be in.
Both are big enough problems to leave you stranded.
On the actuator, the pin usually falls out of the upper actuator, leaving the truck stuck in whichever key position it happens to be in.
Both are big enough problems to leave you stranded.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Joliet, IL
The shifter tube weakens and breaks in half, leaving you with no control over your transmission. That's happened on both of the F-150s in my sig (that you won't see in this post since I'm on mobile) Get new bushings for the tube, too. Makes it tight and very nice feeling. One more thing, I put blue threadlocker on the two screws at the front end of the tube. Those have been known to loosen up and cause sloppy shifts or totally fall out.
On the actuator, the pin usually falls out of the upper actuator, leaving the truck stuck in whichever key position it happens to be in.
Both are big enough problems to leave you stranded.
On the actuator, the pin usually falls out of the upper actuator, leaving the truck stuck in whichever key position it happens to be in.
Both are big enough problems to leave you stranded.
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 326
Likes: 1
From: Carthage, MO
If the key was locked up and did not turn, then there are other problems. The whole column is an intertwined can of worms. There is the lock pawl that contacts the shifter tube, the lock cylinder could be all jammed up, it could be anything. Tear it apart to evaluate, and take lots of pictures for reference.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Joliet, IL
Wouldn't budge, as in the key would not turn? Or the key turned but did nothing? If the actuator comes apart, the key will turn loosely and not have any affect on the switch.
If the key was locked up and did not turn, then there are other problems. The whole column is an intertwined can of worms. There is the lock pawl that contacts the shifter tube, the lock cylinder could be all jammed up, it could be anything. Tear it apart to evaluate, and take lots of pictures for reference.
If the key was locked up and did not turn, then there are other problems. The whole column is an intertwined can of worms. There is the lock pawl that contacts the shifter tube, the lock cylinder could be all jammed up, it could be anything. Tear it apart to evaluate, and take lots of pictures for reference.