59 Steering Column Removal
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 32,044
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From: Upstate NY
59 Steering Column Removal
I have been getting ready to lift the cab off my 59 F500. I am basically down to just the steering column and a few other knick-knacks. I'm new to this vintage. The next generation truck has the joint that you can seperate where this critter is solid all the way to the gear box. Do I need to disconnect the complete gearbox and then separate the column on the bench? 
I can see the end cap on the bottom side but didn't want to take if off out in the grass if there was any other way around it. Will the gear and tube come out as a unit? The opening around the tube looks as if were big enough.
I can see the end cap on the bottom side but didn't want to take if off out in the grass if there was any other way around it. Will the gear and tube come out as a unit? The opening around the tube looks as if were big enough.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 5
From: Akron Ohio
The box is rigid, because the sector shaft does not come out. The shaft runs up the column so disassembly for removal is not possible.
Pull of the pitman arm, unbolt the column from the dash and the frame. Then just pull the entire assembly up through the floor. Since your cab is stripped, You can leave the steering wheel on till its out of the truck if you'd like. It took me 20mins of wrestling it, to finally get it angled to come out, but its not too hard. -4speed
Pull of the pitman arm, unbolt the column from the dash and the frame. Then just pull the entire assembly up through the floor. Since your cab is stripped, You can leave the steering wheel on till its out of the truck if you'd like. It took me 20mins of wrestling it, to finally get it angled to come out, but its not too hard. -4speed
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 6
From: Columbus, Ohio
y'oughtta try that with a lowered truck with a 351M shoehorned in there and home made exhausts! There's a fine window of angle to get that thing up throught the floor!
Actually, I just took off my steering wheel and brought it down to the ground. Since your cab is stripped, and I'm assuming you don't have an engine, it's probably easy either way!
Actually, I just took off my steering wheel and brought it down to the ground. Since your cab is stripped, and I'm assuming you don't have an engine, it's probably easy either way!
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Upstate NY
You guys are great. Three ways to do the job. However I still don't have it out. I must admit that the sawzall idea sounded pretty tempting this afternoon when I was struggling with the awkward thing. I have it all unhooked from the truck but can not get it out and up thru the whole. I tried to beat Mr 4speed's time of twenty minutes but I had to give up when it started getting dark since it is sitting outside. The engine is still in the truck and I seem to be hitting on the side of the bell housing more than any thing else. At least it is unhooked and moved up out of the way. Sixoh's idea of going out thru the bottom sounds cool also.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 314
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From: Medford, Oregon
I have pulled several of them up through the floor but I have not had fenders, hood, motors, transmissions, interiors to deal with so it was a straight forward job...and the torch was great for the mounting bolts.
Now the sawzall might sound good but you could probably fetch a few shiny pennies for a complete column on ebay
Glack
Now the sawzall might sound good but you could probably fetch a few shiny pennies for a complete column on ebay
Glack
