help need info: steering column disassembly

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Apr 12, 2004 | 06:54 PM

tulkas

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help need info: steering column disassembly

I have a 1978 250 Ranger XLT with automatic trans, tilt steering wheel, and cruise. I need to know how to remove the two plastic sleeves on the steering column: the one the shifter arm comes out of and the one with the glass plate with the letters for the shifter. I have removed the horn button, wheel, plastic plate with wires for turn signal and cruise (although I can't seem to remove the wire cluster from inside the plastic sleeves without resoldering), the shifter and turn signal arms, the plastic hood over the glass plate with letters, as well as some allen screws from the backside of the shifter sleeve. I can find no visible way to disassemble the rest and am asking before breaking it all to pieces.

On a related note: I also need to know where the lightbulb for the glass shifter plate goes. I can't find a slot or hole for it to sit in and it came just dangling out when I bought it.

Any help would be most appreciated.

Apr 12, 2004 | 07:02 PM

stepman

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From: peoria, az

What is it that you were trying to get to? If you are trying to get the signal harness out, it's tricky but will come out. You have to "bend" the harness so that the plastic connector at the bottom runs straight with the wires and carefully work it thru the column. Steering columns take a lot of patience. The light bulb should plug into the back of the indicater.

Apr 12, 2004 | 07:14 PM

tulkas

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Thanks a lot that helps me with two problems. I am trying to disassemble down to the column tube and shaft. One of the allen screws and its keeper broke and broke off a piece of the tube with it. I have problems with play in the steering wheel when I am turning it while driving and this is the suspected (although not confirmed) cause. I still need to know how to remove those plastic sleeves if anyone knows.

Apr 12, 2004 | 07:23 PM

stepman

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From: peoria, az

You will need a book with a detailed picture. If you search around here, you can find some other threads that dealt with this a couple months back. Pretty good threads with some pics too. You have to take the tilt off but it's been a while and I can't remember the exact process off the top of my head. Last one I did though had worn out at the pivots and I had to leave it wobble. If you broke a piece off the tube, you may want to consider a good used column.(lot less work)

Apr 12, 2004 | 07:59 PM

Mil1ion

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Well for starters ,You have to remove the whole column from the truck to dis-mantle it properly.

I can guide you through it if you like

I trust you have the steering wheel off ?

It isn't tough if you have the right tools.
You will need a 11mm (or 7/16") 12 point socket.

air tools of possible
1/2" socket
Allen wrenches
Philips screwdriver
Large blade screwdriver

Apr 12, 2004 | 08:33 PM

tulkas

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Thanks for the help stepman.

I have those tools and the steering wheel off mil1ion.

Apr 12, 2004 | 08:38 PM

tulkas

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Is it impossible to do without removing the entire column? If so I'll do it anyways. If you could, a step-by-step description would benefit me the most. Thanks.