Hey all, I have an 89 f350 and the wheel tilt mechanism has failed. It will adjust and settle into positions as it should, but once pressure is put on the steering wheel it falls all the way down. I'm gonna start tearing into it soon, but don't know a whole bunch about steering columns and hope someone has some information about these mechanisms I should know about, thanks
-evan

 

If I were you, I'd start looking for a replacement column, instead. I've had mine apart before. It's just easier to replace the whole column, if one is available to you.

 

Does your truck have A/T or M/T? The tilt wheel parts are the same, but I want to post the correct pic.

 

Moved from Large Truck.

 

It has been a long time since I had a tilt column of this type apart but I believe there are two small coil springs; one each at about the 4 and 8 o'clock positions which cause the driver end of the column to rise to the top position when the release lever is pushed forward. What you are describing sounds like at least one or perhaps both of these springs have failed/broken. While it is possible to rebuild these columns (I have done so on a couple) an easier remedy would probably be to just replace the column. I believe eligible candidate donors would be any F-Series or Bronco from 1980 through 1991. Choose automatic or manual transmission version to match yours. If you choose the rebuild route your candidate list would include a host of 1970s Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln cars; though unfortunately most of those have long since been crushed, shredded, and shipped to China.

 

Misc: 1965/80 Passenger Cars; 1978/91 F100/350, Bronco & Econoline: Tilt wheel operated by pressing the T/S handle forward.

Look at 3B661 in parts catalog pic (A/T shown, M/T is similar). This is the tilt wheel locking lever, when its serrations wear down, the wheel will no longer lock in place.

E2TZ-3B661-A (replaced D1AZ-3D661-A) / Obsolete ~ No one has any NOS

Applications: 1971/80 FoMoCo Passenger Cars; 1978/91 F100/350, Bronco & Econoline.

 

It is an automatic. I have pulled the column apart and found he mechanisms that operate the tilt. The spring's are fine, as I could not see how they would lose tension because the the downward motion would not over stretch either of them. I pulled the latch out and it does not look cracked worn or broken as I suspected it would be. But while testing the whole operation I noticed the pin that slides into the serrated grooves of the latch spins. Through my observation it seems as if there is just a slight bit of play in the latch (I would assume just to simply allow the rod to seat in the grooves easily. Not excessive play) but I'm under the assumption that the spinning rod is allowing the latch to continue moving and falling out of place instead of firmly seating itself. I guess my general question is, should the rod the hold's the latch in place supposed to spin inside it's housing like it is? Because if it's not I'd rather epoxy it tight in place rather than buying a column