About to swap in tilt wheel column for my 2000 E250. No issues with wiring etc as all existing column-mounted controls will be swapped over the the new column.

Does anyone here have direct hands-on experience with this? Its all so very straight-forward but my only question is uncoupling the universal joint connecting the steering shaft from the column to the body---would it tend to come apart easy or no so much?

TIA


Update: It seems this swap is far, far easier than I ever anticipated. Shortly after posting this I visited the local DIY salvage yard, found and removed a VGC tilt column all within 1 1/2 hours. Of course the donor had no key so a friend who's also a locksmith fitted the removed column with a ignition lock cylinder and key I had literally had laying around, doing mostly nothing.

The single 13mm headed bolt holding the steering shaft halves together, once loose the pieces slide apart and column easily clears its mounting space.

I hope to document rebuilding this column to remove any bit of slack in the shift lever tube which will probably include tightening a few fasteners, installing new shift tube bushings, perhaps also the shift position detent fitting and a spring that keeps that all in place. Along with showing R&I of the actual steering column might be interesting or helpful to someone here.

Thanks!

 

So........you answered your own question?????

Of course you had the practice one in the Junk Yard......

The intermittent shaft some times need a little tap to get it loose from the bottom of the steering column shaft, or spread the fitting a little with a big screwdriver, But, I guest you found that out......

When you re-assemble, make sure your wheels (tires) are straight, and line up with the steering wheel, and you set the intermittent shaft in the correct clocking. (But, I'm sure you know that)

Besides replacing the shift tube and bushings, you should also replace the 3 bearings, 2 small, 1 large while you have it out and apart, if you planned on that?

Funny thing I found on my '92 column when I rebuilt that 1-1/2 years ago, it was set up for tilt, just missing the **** for adjustment, or un-locking for the tilt, guest just made one type steering column, and charged extra for the ****?? See if your old non-tilt is built like that too??

 

Good idea on checking for tilt wheel function in the "old" column--can't hurt. There are definite differences in the tilt vs non-tilt columns however if the outside lever is removed you would have a non-tilt column for sure.

Along with shift tube bushings I'll check and double check the three bearings mentioned---good points. Also checked and replaced as needed will be the lower shaft spring which I believe affects the shift position detent block. Green Loctite will be used to keep the shift tube straps in place---they've been known to work loose over time, so few think to check them---like me.

Another excellent point about wheel alignment relative to the column shaft and steering wheel. Since the steering wheel is keyed to everything making sure that's all straight is important enough to spend the time.

The only advantage to a DIY scrap yard is being able to practice R&I'ing bits pretty much free of charge. This day I found no less than 6 columns that would have done the job. Expeditions, Navigators, most every F-Series and all E-Series between '98-'04 would work. Might have been more but we stopped looking after 6.

What's most odd is a hallowed scrap yard nearby told me specifically and absolutely F-Series and E-Series columns were NOT compatible, the differences being too great etc etc?!?! Mind you they had none available for the E-Series so I'm not sure what's up there. So far my limited visual inspection of my existing column to the one sitting in the garage they're identical in all important areas, wiring connections etc naturally being different.

Anyway as this swap goes along I'll document it as best I can----might be something usable for the tech folder, showing various component locations etc.