Very hard to turn in the winter. If I use a hair dryer to warm up the switch it turns. No last week I replaced the tumbler with a brand new Motorcraft switch,. After looking at the Chilton manual I see they show a bearing and spring clip before the gear. Anyone know anything about this. Mine had no clip or bearing and wondering if this could be part of the problem---My trk is a 1991 Ford F150 w/ 4.9 EFI Thanks for any info

 

welcome to FTE.
the problem is most likely old dried out lithium grease. the hint is the fact it works fine when warm/hot but is hard when cold.
i remove the key cylinder and top of the column, clean all the old stuff out, and give everything a good application of new grease when i encounter this on older trucks. .

 

Thank you for the info. Never got to far into that but going to give it a try

 

Tilt column, a lot is different between a tilt and solid column?


And yes, likely a grease issue, personally I'm a big fan of tri-flo for stuff like this, spray it liberally in the gaps. That is before you take it apart, if your going to take it apart then use proper grease, likely a good silicone lube is best.


If it's a tilt column there is a decent chance that the aluminum link rod thing that I can never remember the right name for is starting to fail. If you take it apart and it's tilt then at the very least inspect this part and likely replace it, they fail often.

 

Thanks for the info--Yes I have the tilt column---Wish now I left the standard non tilting one in. But Anyway the locking actuator works fine. I have noticed that according to Chilton there is 2 parts missing--a bearing and a spring clip. Going to stop by dealer tomorrow and check on these parts. Also use a silicone ?? I bought John Deere corn grease from many suggestions. I just want this thing fixed. OLd truck= problems. Thanks for the help

 

3E701 and 3E700?

FWIW I don't remember either one of those parts from the last time I had mine apart. Thinking about it though I think it's a bearing(more of a bushing/washer) and retainer clip to hold the gear in place that does not come out when the ignition cylinder is removed, that these parts are only removed if removing that gear which I've never bothered to do.

I got a spare tilt column I've largely cannibalized for parts already, it probably has those parts still in it. I'll look when I get a chance.

I have no idea what John Deere corn grease is, but I'm a fan of silicone grease for this kind of stuff. It's sticky and isn't very temperature sensitive. The kind of stuff they largely sell for use on brake calipers, it's clear and sticky like RTV silicone is before it hardens but this of course never does. For something like this if you don't need a lot you can get those little packets of "brake caliper grease" cheap at auto parts store checkouts and such.

I really doubt a dealer will be much help in doing anything but raising your blood pressure. Personally I'd head to a friendly wrecking yard, or a local FTE member or CL listing with a parts truck. Have you checked out your state chapter? https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum143/ Post here, maybe a local member has exactly what you need.

 

Thank you Brute Ford--Greatly appreciate the effort in trying to help me out :-)

 

I looked at my parts column last night, that part had been removed by the PO, sorry.

 

Thank you. Again appreciate all the help.

 

Continuing the question, does anyone know the size of that bearing?

Jason

 

J-- don't know the size but found a Ford dealer in NJ with it--Ford of Englewood, Englewood, NJ
bearing--pt#-D6AZ3E700A
snap ring- #- DOAZ3C610A


Hope this helps

 

Thanks! P.O. Of my parts truck apparently took these out as well.

J

 

1980/91 F100/350 & Bronco / Misc: 1970/90's Passenger Cars / With/without tilt makes no difference.

DOAZ-3C610-A .. Key Lock Retainer Clip / Available from Ford-MSRP: $1.50.

D6AZ-3E700-A .. Steering Column Lock Housing Bearing / Available from Ford-MSRP: $3.79.

D4AZ-3E717-A .. Steering Column Lock (Brass) Gear / Available from Ford-MSRP: $29.70.

Suggest you replace the gear, it's notorious for stripping!

My 1990/2001 light truck parts catalog is on microfiche, so here's the 1980/89 pic.

Parts are shown as 3C610 - 3E700 - 3E717

 

Thank you ND--appreciate your help