The rubber disk
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Pull the steering column back an inch or so. The lower half of the coupling is removed with a clamp bolt from the splined steering gear box input shaft. Replace your disk and then replace the column.
The item you have in your picture is the safety pin that keeps your steering column in contact with the gearbox if the rubber vibration isolator disk tears.
If you have beaten up your coupling with a hammer etc you will need to replace the coupling and/or column.
Remember- IT'S JUST BOLTS!
Everything that went together comes apart (with a few exceptions) with fasteners, threads, bolts, nuts rivets etc. Take your time, look around, find the bolts!
The item you have in your picture is the safety pin that keeps your steering column in contact with the gearbox if the rubber vibration isolator disk tears.
If you have beaten up your coupling with a hammer etc you will need to replace the coupling and/or column.
Remember- IT'S JUST BOLTS!
Everything that went together comes apart (with a few exceptions) with fasteners, threads, bolts, nuts rivets etc. Take your time, look around, find the bolts!
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Washington State
How do I pull the colum back? It won't budge. Here's a picture of what came with the rubber thing. Also, does the saftey pin need to be removed in order to replace the disk?
http://groups.msn.com/1987PlymouthVo...oto&PhotoID=54
http://groups.msn.com/1987PlymouthVo...oto&PhotoID=54
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
in your second picture, that top pin looks just like the one you can't remove, did you soak the thing in WD40 or a similar solvent?, a big ole pair of pliers, and a ratchet with a breaker bar may be your key to success.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
To move the steering column you need to loosen the 2 bolts underneath the dash.
If this is an automatic, have someone watch you don't bind the shift lever when pulling the column toward from the driver's seat.
You need a 12 point 11mm socket to remove both coupling bolts.
If this is an automatic, have someone watch you don't bind the shift lever when pulling the column toward from the driver's seat.
You need a 12 point 11mm socket to remove both coupling bolts.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Washington State
I noticed the bolts on the floor after going out there with a flash light and looking. I have all the tools. It's not like I have never worked on cars before. I was just confused by this. Thanks for the replies.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Again, just bolts, look around and find them. Never apply force unless there is a specific need. Sounds like you are taking your time now and looking 
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 3
From: Cleveland, WI USA
I just took mine off the other day. It looks like yours is the same as mine.
I removed the bolt that clamps the shaft onto the steering colum shaft and the bolt that clamps it to the gearbox shaft. My steering shaft is like a slip yoke and it has no pins running through it to keep it from slipping. However, it's been in one place so long, it wouldn't slip mo matter what I did. I ended up removing the two bolts on the rag joint (flexible coupler) and worked the two apart. Loosening the steering column from under the dash, as said before, should give you enough room to get it apart. It is easiest to work on if you remove the entire assembly, but remember to mark everything so it goes back together the same way.
Once I had it off, I tapped the inner shaft out of the outer shaft, cleaned it all up and greased it so it slides nice & easy. I didn't replace the disk since I didn't have one handy, but I did take it all apart. I'm picking a new disk up this weekend.
Everything I take off my truck or work on, gets cleaned, repainted and greased just to make it easier the next time.
Good luck.
Kevin K.
I removed the bolt that clamps the shaft onto the steering colum shaft and the bolt that clamps it to the gearbox shaft. My steering shaft is like a slip yoke and it has no pins running through it to keep it from slipping. However, it's been in one place so long, it wouldn't slip mo matter what I did. I ended up removing the two bolts on the rag joint (flexible coupler) and worked the two apart. Loosening the steering column from under the dash, as said before, should give you enough room to get it apart. It is easiest to work on if you remove the entire assembly, but remember to mark everything so it goes back together the same way.
Once I had it off, I tapped the inner shaft out of the outer shaft, cleaned it all up and greased it so it slides nice & easy. I didn't replace the disk since I didn't have one handy, but I did take it all apart. I'm picking a new disk up this weekend.
Everything I take off my truck or work on, gets cleaned, repainted and greased just to make it easier the next time.
Good luck.
Kevin K.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 1
From: lino lakes, mn
go down to the floor pull the 5 sheet metal bolts 3/8 head go up the column take the two sheet metal screws drop the tin cover remove the two bolts holding he column up undoo the bolts at the rag joint watch your wiring pull the column back unplug and you could pull it out if you want then change it out good luck
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 1
From: lino lakes, mn
oops forgot to mention on the engine side of the fire wall there is a clamp on the column that will have to be romoved to and the tin that it mounts to three or four more sheet metat screws the column should be free now
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Washington State
Steering Rag Joint
In my previous thread I had a problem getting the rubber disk out of the rag joint on the steering colum of my 1977 F-250. Now I got the thing apart but I cannot get the saftey pegs off. I don't even see how they were put on in the factory. HERE is a picture. The part I am talking about is at the top. There is no way to grip it. I tried vice grips as tight as they would go.How can I get this thing off?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Washington State
Sorry I couldn't find this post for some reason. Anyway, I did get those things off. It turns out that they were pressed on there and I had to grind ithem off. The kit has threaded pegs so it will be simple to put those on.