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Well never mind that part. I took a rubber mallet to the front of the steering shaft and after a few whacks the bearing came loose.
Now I've got another problem though - Ujoint knuckle is too big to go through column color...and the other end... the rag joint seems to be welded on to the shaft.. WTF..
Have some shop manuals coming in hope this kind of crap is in there
Well never mind that part. I took a rubber mallet to the front of the steering shaft and after a few whacks the bearing came loose.
Now I've got another problem though - Ujoint knuckle is too big to go through column color...and the other end... the rag joint seems to be welded on to the shaft.. WTF..
Have some shop manuals coming in hope this kind of crap is in there
1974/77 F100/250 2WD & F350:
Steering Coupler (rag joint) bolts to the flange of the steering shaft, then attaches to the splined end on the steering column input shaft, bolt tightens it up.
Steering Coupler (rag joint) bolts to the flange of the steering shaft, then attaches to the splined end on the steering column input shaft, bolt tightens it up.
Thanks NumberDummy.
However, I'm 99% sure at this point that this isn't the stock steering column... it was indeed damn welded on!
Well, I had already ordered a new Borgeson 000970 steering shaft under the assumption the column was a 77 F2550.
Now that I've got everything apart I'm wondering if the Borgeson is even going to work with this column.
Anyone have any insight into what column this might be? Would make it easier to find the parts I might need to make it work.
It's a tilt and does NOT have any provisions in it for actuating the neutral safety / reverse lights switch (it was just hanging under the column when I got the truck).
However, I'm 99% sure at this point that this isn't the stock steering column... it was indeed damn welded on!
Well, I had already ordered a new Borgeson 000970 steering shaft under the assumption the column was a 77 F2550.
Now that I've got everything apart I'm wondering if the Borgeson is even going to work with this column.
Anyone have any insight into what column this might be? Would make it easier to find the parts I might need to make it work.
It's a tilt and does NOT have any provisions in it for actuating the neutral safety / reverse lights switch (it was just hanging under the column when I got the truck).
Tilt steering wheel introduced in 1978 F100/350, Bronco & Econoline. 1978/91: It's operated by pressing the T/S handle forward.
1978/79: NSS located on the transmission.
1978/79 T/S switches are different than 1973/77. The tilt wheel switch is specific.
That flange that you have the closeup of is welded on mine as well. I had to do some column work on the truck I'm working on right now. I sourced a power steering column and the truck I'm working on is manual steering. With the power steering shaft being shorter, I had to transplant the longer shaft into the new column. Both of the shafts that I had have that flange for the rag joint welded to the end. Other than one shaft being longer than the other, they look the same.
Mine isn't tilt, so I know they could be a lot different. I'm not sure about the knuckle you speak of. Once I removed the lock ring and bearing, the old shaft slid right out and I was able to slide the longer shaft in, replace bearing and lock ring and install the column in the truck. Fortunately for me, one of the more easier things I've had to do on my truck.
Hopefully someone with some tilt-wheel experience can chime in.
Thanks again NumberDummy - that will be very helpful in my searching!
Well it's all or nothing with this column at this point. I attempted to remove the rag joint with my grinder and wound up going into the shaft so the shaft is toast.
If I can't make the borgeson shaft I ordered work, or find another that will, it will be time for another column all together.
So update: Found a local gent that has a column in a 77 parts truck that he's going to pull for me.
He's also going to grab me both sides of the wiring harness that was completely lacking with this column.
I think I'm going to prefer this route because I won't have to "rig" things for the NSS and the reverse lights.
It's going to be a non-tilt but am I really missing out here? I don't find myself using the tilt in any other vehicles... and I don't have a gut on me (not at the moment anyway hah).
Damn man that's awesome. I really wish I would have ran across your video first. I would have cut it more like you did and not right across at the base of the rag joint. Now there's only a bit of spline available. I think to be safe and usable it would have to converted to a DD end. I took about .5 inch off when it was cut but I think there's enough left for it to still be usable.
Here's IDIDIT's suggested diy way of DD conversion:
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