Hello, all.
I have a practically brand new 89 F150 Lariat. I bought it last year with 24K original miles from my (now) father in law. The truck currently has only 37K miles.
I recently had to deal with the actuator arm breaking in the steering column, just behind the steering wheel. My original problem was the truck was not cranking. The key would turn forever forward but nothing would happen. Turned out to be the actuator rod, as I described, was broken. Without knowing any better, my friend (an import mechanic...feel free to insert insult here______) and I took apart the entire steering column trying to figure out how to best remove the darned $11 actuator arm. Lo and behold , we found out we didn't have to dismantle nearly as much of the column as we thought we did. We found the two pins that release the "joint" right behind the wheel where the steering column "rod" sticks through. Replacement and reassembly was pretty easy up to the point at which I am now.
I have a few pieces left over and I'm not too sure where to put them. I am fairly certain all parts are associated with the turn signal switch and wiring harness attached. I can attach photos in a reply once I get home.
Also, lining up the key cylinder with the inner components is proving to be a bit difficult because I cannot remove the key most times. Maybe I need a new cylinder too?

My question: is there an idiot's guide to disassembling/reassembling the parts I am describing? The local Ford dealer was nice enough to send a diagram of the entire steering column, pictured from the side. I need more of a heads-on picture, sitting in the driver's seat looking at the steering wheel. Youtube and Google has helped some. Hopefully I'm not the only idiot who has gotten this far into a steering column and needed help backing out.

Any comments/help are greatly appreciated.

 

This might help: Ignition Actuator Replacement on an '85 w/tilt - FSB Forums

 

YES! This is exactly what type of step by step instructions I need. I'm not sure if this will help but I will study this over and over again. Thank you! Thank you!

 

Party on!

 

good luck...

 

hey guys! Thanks for the good vibes. I have attached a photo of the parts still needing to be rehomed. I was able to find number 4 (see attachment) but i still need help with the rest. I believe #5 goes underneath the wheel at some point. I am told it has to do with the steering wheel when it locks in place.

1 & 2 i believe might be clips for the "squiggly arm" behind the turn signal cluster/wires
3 is some type of spring? or rocking arm?
4 FOUND IT! Thanks to the thread from Ford Bronco above
5 steering wheel lock?

 

I ain't ever worked on a bricknose column, but #5 is definitely the shift gate for your gearshift. Looking at how your column shifter works, you'll see that when you pull the lever towards you to shift gears, an arm somewhere near the bottom (towards the floorboards) of the column also moves in/out. That arm lands in the notches on that plate (part #5) to provide you with a positive detent in park/reverse/neutral/etc .

 

Dixie460, thats exactly where i'm being told #5 belongs. I'm having trouble finding exactly where i need to put it though. I'm beginning to feel a little defeated by these 4 measly little parts. I sure can't justify taking my disassembled truck and column to a mechanic and paying for the reassmebly. Labors charges are gonna SUCK! I'm going to give it another week and then i'm giving in.
I have to have my truck by next weekend. My new bride and i are closing on our first house! Can't haul furniture in her lil ol' Saturn.
Worst case scenario, in my opinion, is i can reassemble what i have, minus the little clips and springs (pieces 1-3), and drive without blinkers for a while...until i get caught.

 

You could make a trip to your local salvage yard and get the parts that you need… it would even help just to look at an assemble column that would tell you how it's assembled.

Or buy a a used column for that same salvage outfit.

 

Krooser, I originally set out to simply replace the broken actuator rod. My friend and I got so far into the column we feared not being able to put it back together so I paid him to go to the junk yard for me while I was at work. The best column he found was no good, damaged beyond repair. I don't need any parts (at least I don't think I do). All the main parts have been put back together. I now have brake lights, can shift gears and "drive". My problem now lies in the turn signal pieces and parts, I'm pretty sure anyway. I have attached a pic of the parts I need to rehome. I believe I'm going to have to go and look for myself at the junkyard and take plenty of pics of what I find (an idea that would have paid off in the beginning). Thanks for the tip. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

 

Good news! My steering column is put back together and I'm on the road again. It pains me to say that I didn't fit all the pieces back together again but my truck is steering as it should. I have to turn my blinkers off after turning but that seems to be the worst of it. Thanks for all the pics and diagrams and help you guys!

Now to find that damned vacuum leak.....

 

Glad to hear it!

As for having to cut out the blinkers after every turn... when I bought my 94 the blinkers didn't shut off by themselves, and I took a liking to having it that way so when I bought my 96 I removed the auto shutoff cam in that as well. Drive it for a bit, you might like it. Good for when you have to make 2 left turns close to each other, for example.