'74 Steering column really tight after dropping it
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'74 Steering column really tight after dropping it
I did a power brake pedal swap and booster add to my '74. Part of the process was to drop the column support collar that bolts under the dash to let the column drop slightly to make room to get the pedal assembly out and back in. After buttoning everything up, the steering and column shift is really tight. The wheel won't slide back through your hands on a turn. Before this process, the steering was very loose and the column shifter, while old and clunky, wasn't stiff like it is now.
Someone suggested I loosen the collar and try pulling the column out a bit (there is no play in and out though). The rag joint doesn't appear bound up at all. The PS pump and belt are fine. It just feels like something with the column is out a bit.
Suggestions on how to clear this up or at least identify the source of the issue?
thanks all!
Someone suggested I loosen the collar and try pulling the column out a bit (there is no play in and out though). The rag joint doesn't appear bound up at all. The PS pump and belt are fine. It just feels like something with the column is out a bit.
Suggestions on how to clear this up or at least identify the source of the issue?
thanks all!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,276
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From: KY
Did you loosen the collar bolts and see if it would shift any easier ? don't take out just loosen to get any slack and see if it does any better , other than that I would check the linkage for shifting and make sure its not binding in any areas , after dropping the column maybe it moved around, unlikely but something to check,,but try an disconnect the shifter rod from column and an then see if its still tight when trying to shift ,
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Did you loosen the collar bolts and see if it would shift any easier ? don't take out just loosen to get any slack and see if it does any better , other than that I would check the linkage for shifting and make sure its not binding in any areas , after dropping the column maybe it moved around, unlikely but something to check,,but try an disconnect the shifter rod from column and an then see if its still tight when trying to shift ,
It looks like there's a shaft inside a tube inside another tube that goes through the firewall. The outermost tube is the column casing. That rotates if I spin the column tube inside the truck. That can't really be rotated out of position much because that's what bolts up under the dash. I unbolted the big retaining clamp in front of the firewall that seems to hold the column tube in place. That allowed me to get some forward and backward play. If I push the column in toward the rag joint it seemed to free it up a little bit and pulling it out seem to make it tighter. So we pushed it in and I reclamped the column. however once I bolt up the collar under the dash everything binds up again.
I think this is where it's binding. If I lower the column inside the truck this angle improves and these two surfaces don't rub.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 12
From: KY
I looked at mine but its different being a 79 , you may need to look at a parts diagram view of the column for your year an perhaps pull column out and inspect closer but perhaps someone on here can give you a better idea before having to pull,
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appreciate it. hoping for someone to pop with a fix.
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