Help! what did i do?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 11, 2005 | 02:42 PM

bocephus_3349

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 335

Likes: 0

From: riverton u.s

Help! what did i do?

the other day i decided to take the steering shaft out of my truck (1966 f-100 4x4) to clean and lube it all up good. well when i put it back in the steering wheel is now seperated from the base by like a inch or so. so i push it back down and it wont go all the way. now theres play in it. like its not engaged. it kind of feels like its not lining up, but i cant tell. so what do i do now. do i need to tear the whole colum apart now? please help.

Jan 11, 2005 | 04:19 PM

bertha66

Lead Driver

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 8,062

Likes: 35

From: Central Oregon

Did you try taking the housing lose under the dash and pull it up to meet the wheel?

Jan 11, 2005 | 06:23 PM

bocephus_3349

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 335

Likes: 0

From: riverton u.s

well the problem is that like inside the collum is a 2 piece unit thats come undone. like it wont match up. i have no play under the dash. its only in the actual steering shaft.

Jan 11, 2005 | 07:56 PM

barry

Postmaster

Joined: Dec 1999

Posts: 2,813

Likes: 6

From: Connecticut

Did you pull down the inner shift tube? It may have come apart. Can you shift thru the gears? I'm assuming it's a 3 speed column shift. You may have to pull the whole thing out again and re-assemble it on a bench.

Barry

Jan 12, 2005 | 08:20 AM

William

Logistics Pro

Joined: Feb 2000

Posts: 3,565

Likes: 9

From: Sun River St. George

Pull it out! This is bench work and you really need to check that lower bearing! Eyeball the rag joint as well and check it for continuity or the horn may not work. Be careful with the rubber collar these are hard and brittle and will fail. Replacements are available.

Jan 12, 2005 | 09:06 AM

bocephus_3349

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 335

Likes: 0

From: riverton u.s

thanks for the info. but it doesnt have the rag joint its has a u-joint. and its a 4 speed 435 np not a auto. another question is if i have all the bolts and the retaining ring off the shaft on the engine side shoulnt i be able just pull the whole thing out from the cab side? looks like i created a mess. thing that sucks is its my daily drive so im hurting now. also any idea on where to find a seal for the end the connects to the gear box? or am i going to have to go yard hunting.

Jan 12, 2005 | 09:45 AM

William

Logistics Pro

Joined: Feb 2000

Posts: 3,565

Likes: 9

From: Sun River St. George

You have the simplest Ford column. I think the bearing and shaft have become separated at the bottom? There is a spring in the bottom of the column that holds pressure on the shaft. Sorry to say but this is a bench job and you may need a lower bearing. With the firewall cover and clamp removed and the two dash collar bolts out the column should slide out through the cab. The wiring harness has a connector down by the brake pedal (take your time these are easily broken). Be careful and you may be able to save the rubber boot or at least not damage it so badly that you cant patch it.