Shift collar replacement - any tips?
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 947
Likes: 6
From: Manitoba, Canada
Shift collar replacement - any tips?
My 68 has a 74 dent automatic column. The shifter is sloppy and it drives me crazy. I bought a replacement shift collar and I also got a new shift tube.
I'm hoping I only need to replace just the collar so I can do it with the column in the truck. Anyone done a tutorial? Do I have to totally remove the wiring harness to replace the collar?
I'm hoping I only need to replace just the collar so I can do it with the column in the truck. Anyone done a tutorial? Do I have to totally remove the wiring harness to replace the collar?
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 947
Likes: 6
From: Manitoba, Canada
Ya, I've done a little more research and the signal light/4 way assm and wires must be pulled out.
I've had a change of plans. I have a 77 column that I acquired first for my truck and didn't use because the next one I got wasn't as worn. Rather than tie up my shop with a truck with no steering I'm going to order more parts and fully rebuild the 77 column. Then it's be a half day job to change it out. I'll document the process. Now to order more parts!
I've had a change of plans. I have a 77 column that I acquired first for my truck and didn't use because the next one I got wasn't as worn. Rather than tie up my shop with a truck with no steering I'm going to order more parts and fully rebuild the 77 column. Then it's be a half day job to change it out. I'll document the process. Now to order more parts!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 4
From: Western Kentucky
My 68 has a 74 dent automatic column. The shifter is sloppy and it drives me crazy. I bought a replacement shift collar and I also got a new shift tube.
I'm hoping I only need to replace just the collar so I can do it with the column in the truck. Anyone done a tutorial? Do I have to totally remove the wiring harness to replace the collar?
I'm hoping I only need to replace just the collar so I can do it with the column in the truck. Anyone done a tutorial? Do I have to totally remove the wiring harness to replace the collar?
How to rebuild an automatic steering column - Completed - The FORDification.com Forums
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
Likes: 199
From: Phoenix, Az.
Check out this link, its a pretty detailed step by step on rebuilding a column.
How to rebuild an automatic steering column - Completed - The FORDification.com Forums
How to rebuild an automatic steering column - Completed - The FORDification.com Forums
Bumpside Kingdom. 
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Still can't REP you.I just haven't thought of a Humorous title for you yet. Wait a minute.......
I just added you in on the bottom of the list of the Kingdom post. 
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Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 947
Likes: 6
From: Manitoba, Canada
Well I got my 77 auto column rebuilt and installed in my 68. Took a while because I ordered parts twice. I ended up replacing:
shift collar
shift tube
upper bearing and rubber sleeve
turn signal/wiring assembly
lower bushing (started with a flimsy repro but ordered a nos part.)
shift lockout plate. ( I highly recommend this be replaced during rebuild)
Right now I've epoxy putty patched my cracked steering wheel prior to sanding and repainting.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 947
Likes: 6
From: Manitoba, Canada
rattle!!
I was very pleased with my column rebuild. What a difference. Shifting through the gears manually is so much easier.
However, a new problem showed up. With the truck idling in gear when there's a slight amount of engine rock from rough idle I was getting a really annoying loud clankity rattle through the whole column. It was really hard to isolate where the noise was originating from but it could be felt while holding the shifter handle and with a slight amount of pressure on the shifter it would go away. Pop it into neutral the engine smooths and rattle is gone. Considering the only thing new was my rebuilding of the column I figured I did something wrong. After some sleuthing I figured it out. There's a rod that goes from the column down to the C4 trans. At the trans end where the rod goes into the hole on the trans lever the hole has play from being worn. It was there all along but I guess with all the slop in the old column it was never noticeable. I did a temp fix by wrapping Teflon tape around the rod but I'll have to figure a better fix.
However, a new problem showed up. With the truck idling in gear when there's a slight amount of engine rock from rough idle I was getting a really annoying loud clankity rattle through the whole column. It was really hard to isolate where the noise was originating from but it could be felt while holding the shifter handle and with a slight amount of pressure on the shifter it would go away. Pop it into neutral the engine smooths and rattle is gone. Considering the only thing new was my rebuilding of the column I figured I did something wrong. After some sleuthing I figured it out. There's a rod that goes from the column down to the C4 trans. At the trans end where the rod goes into the hole on the trans lever the hole has play from being worn. It was there all along but I guess with all the slop in the old column it was never noticeable. I did a temp fix by wrapping Teflon tape around the rod but I'll have to figure a better fix.