so when i first purchased my '78 F-250 a bit over a year ago, i didn't realize it had a tilt wheel, because i'd never seen a vehicle with a tilt wheel that didn't also have a separate lever to release and reposition the wheel. several months later, while sitting in the driver's seat... i'm ashamed to admit... i had an angry moment and slammed my hands against the wheel pretty hard, and it kinda popped, and the wheel dropped to the lowest tilt position.

once i calmed down i realized that the turn signal lever released the tilt wheel, and i lifted the wheel back to a comfortable height. however, now it's fragile. it will hold it's place during typical everyday driving, but any downward pressure on it (like if i accidentally pull on it while climbing in), and it slips right out and clunks down to the lowest level. i want to dismantle the column to see if there is anything i can do to fix it, but i don't really know where to start, and my Chilton manual only really covers pulling the wheel, not dismantling the column (unless i missed it). my first vehicle when i was a kid was an '85 Ranger, and that had a fairly easy to disassemble column with a top and bottom half and easy to access screws (that was fun. disabled that annoying-**** key lock that made me push a button to remove my key from the ignition... and disabled the "door open while key in ignition" buzzer. lol. man i loved that little truck. i miss it ) but my current truck looks like it has a solid piece all the way around. can anyone give me some guidance?

 

There's a piece in the tilt flange that has 5 teeth on it that locks the steering wheel in 5 selectable positions. If enough pressure is put on the wheel, it will snap the teeth off and the wheel won't stay locked in place.

Finding this component may be very difficult. --component 3B661 in the diagram.

 

Many years vans use the same parts. Lot more chance of finding the parts in a van. They do tend to wear a lot from people using the wheel for a grab handle. Good detailed information in a factory Ford shop manual. You don't need the special pivot pin puller they show, you can use a screw with proper threads and a small slide hammer.

 

anyone know if there is a difference between a 2wd vs 4wd tilt wheel column?

I cannot think of a reason why there would be.