I have been having some fun but now it's time to be serious. I did inherit granddaddys 55 Ford with some type of Y block. I am a new user, found this forum while looking for chips for my power stroker diesel. The Y block has some yellow on the mainfold and the block is mostly red. I haven't run the numbers yet.

My question as stated from the beginning. My reprinted shop manual isn't very clear on how to get the steering box off. It starts with taking the steering wheel off . I have taken the steering wheel off and loosened about everything I can find to loosen but it appears that I'll have to unhook the shifter linkage and remove it from the steering column assembly.


The question

Is there or is there not a way to remove the sttering column from the steering box, thereby reducing the number of things to be removed from my truck to replace the steering box. I have about 35 degrees of play in the wheel and that's just too excessive. I tried to adjust the free play via the adjusting screw but the adjustment is mostly used up.

You guys are so much fun. I have enjoyed lurking here and spent about a week trying to decide how to make my entrance into such a diverse band of knowledgeable characters. I live in Greenville County almost in the mountains of SC/NC in a commmunity known as Sugar Teat. Not far from Pumpkintown, Possum Hollow and Fingerville. Honestly, I'm not smart enough to make this up. I hope you will appreciate my poor attempts at humor and allow me to join you.

Yours in fun

Bubba (BTW, my sisters have called me that for 25 years. )

And sweetie still says Hey Yall

 

Welcome in Bubba !

Nope, the column is one big shaft down to the box.
Unhook the shift linkages down at the trans- 2 cotter pins
Pull the driver seat
Pop the floor plates around the pedals
Loosen the Pitman arm spline at the steering box and pull it off toward you (oh yeah take off the LF Wheel)
take off the 3 bolts of steer box to frame
take off the 2 bolts that clamp the column to the dash
pull the steer box and column from the inside - first a bit to the pass side to get the pitman spline clear of the frame
then lift it all out thru the floorboard

Oh yeah- get a plan to swap in a better or rebuilt one. Lots of threads on this. Beware the conversion slippery slope ("oh Ill just swap in a toyata ps" unless you can stand the down time now.

from Lancaster Co, SC.

 

Welcome Bubba

I live on the other side of the mountain in the Tri-Cities area. Welcome aboard. My 51 has been updated a little so I don't know much about the original box. Seems like to me the column is one piece.

See you at the Nationals in Knoxville in May!


Bill

 

Thanks Cruiser and Jet Jock

I have a replacement gleaned from a NOS box just waiting to go in. It just seemed like a large hassle to take everything out just to get the box out. Maybe this was before Ford had a better idea

I apppreciate the how to and the welcome.

I have enjoyed learning from the members here.

I'm just west of Greenville in the shadow of Table Rock Mountain.

Hope to see you all at a show soon

Bubba

 

Welcome aboard. I've been looking for a good name for my truck. I'm kinda liking Sugar Teat! Just kidding. Everybody is real helpful and very good about not scolding any of us who ask "dumb" questions. Also, try out the search function. Lots of good info there. Good luck, John in Sacramento. Hey, that reminds me, we got a new Governator. Maybe I should name my truck the terminator.

 

I hate to say it 'fenders but I told you so.

 

55Bubba

My compliments on your ability to act like a complete idiot. You'll fit in well here. Welcome to FTE. You should of told us you were kin to Jet Jock in the first place.

Nathan

STHU

 

Fatfenders

Your admiration has been noted and is appreciated , especially coming from one who has contributed to some interesting and humorous times reading and rereading some of the posts. It seems that few if any take themselves seriously but take the repair, modification or restoration of our beloved trucks as holy writ.

Thanks for allowing me to join in and add my feeble attempts at humor. I'm off to begin the dismantling of the steering system.

PS, I was hoping yall would think it was George.



Bubba

 

Bubba

That was a very sly and devious thing to do to us fine folks here at FTE.

You will fit in well

Welcome

Not familier with those late model trucks. I've got everything loose on my 48 Panel, body ready to lift off, engine ready to go, and the steering wheel and column are still giving me fits.
I'm thinking about following 'Fenders tech article he wrote special for you.

 

Wow, Nice to have ya on FTE! That was a hell of stunt! I never in my wildest dreams could of imagened that! Nathan, can you give me tomorrows lottery #'s? -4speed

 

Welcome aboard Bubba!
You really threw me for a loop too! I was thinking you were any one of these regular "characters" around here.

I hope you plan to stick around. As the others said, you will definately fit in.
Thanks for the laughs!

 

Nothing like a little fun to start the festivities. You are, indeed, a character. Obviously, the finger pointers and the denyers all fit that description as well. Notice, all you George suspectors, that he has yet to weigh in.... This is because his charm and sophistication hold him above such carrying on. For me, it is a sad day, having failed to detect the truth of the matter. Were you, by any chance, born in New Jersey? Welcome. Himmelberg

 

Loved the way this guy snuck in here to the 48-60 forum.

Back to the matter at hand, that box removal sounds like a pain, and wont win any ease-of service awards, but once you got it jacked up, you may find its an hour, maybe less.

I HIGHLY reccomend you check for worn bushings on the shifter levers at the trans- its a set brass grommet looking press-ins that can kill alot of slop. Taking the bottom of that shift column off the steering column and checking for worn spring washers and shift column pin is a good idea too. At least lube it up good and clear that grease fitting out. This took decades of slop out!

 

Ahhhhhhhhhhh, Gentlemen one and all,

Thank you for your kind words and your welcome. For Himmelberg, no, learned mentor, I was born on an Airbase in Greenville SC called Donaldson Center Field. That makes me 100% southern redneck, as country as corn bread and pinto beans (sorry about the gas).

Midnite Cruiser, Your treatise on removal of the column and box as well as tips for reassembly shall become a part of my hop manual. Many thanks

Moderator Kenny , Mr 4speed and Dick, Thanks again for the welcome. I'll endevor to be a worthy contributor, if not is technical expertise, then in humor

Watchin and larnin

Bubba

 

Being kinda new myself I have to admit I was at a loss to even guess who you where, but I was following the thread just to see what was going to happen. it was a kick, Welcome.