I recently picked up an 86 F-250. The previous owner had attempted to remove the steering wheel by simply yanking on it and messed up the u-joint that allows the wheel to tilt (1/2" play up, down, and side to side).

He gave me another column that he had to fix it (not sure what year, but the steering wheel looks like an early to mid 90's). But, I don't think it will work since mine is an automatic and this one must have come from a standard.

First, is there a way to repair or replace the u-joint without pulling the column?

If pulling the column is the only way, is there anyone who has documentation on how to do it?

Thanks.

 

You have to pull the column (at least on my '83) to disassemble the tilt mechanism. The Ford "Factory Shop Manual" (Body, Chassis Electrical Volume) is what you need. It's a pretty complicated assembly so you'd probably be better off in the long run getting a good one from a u-pull junkyard or on Ebay. Junkyards here in N. W. FL usually want $50 to $75 for a comlete column (including wheel and lower shaft) in useable condition. I bought one for $10 that had a lot of wear but had the parts I needed to fix mine. But, if I had it to do over I'd get a good one to start with and forget about repairing.

 

I actually bit the bullet and started disassembling it last night. I found the issue pretty quickly. There are 3 different 'collars' at the top of the steering column - one houses the ignition, another the gear shift lever, and one that houses the tilt mechanism.

The piece that houses the tilt mechanism is attached to the column using a special clamp. The previous owner must have been jerking on it pretty hard because he dislodged one of the clamps. Then, just above the u-joint for tilt, there are 2 bearnings that stabilize the upper shaft that the steering wheel attached to. By dislodging the clamp, he inadvertantly pulled the lower bearing from the housing. It was relatively easy to reattach the clamps and reseat the bearing, which is still in fine shape.

The only issue that I came across was that, when he tried to pull the wheel, he damaged the plastic piece that the turn signals, horn, etc, are wired into. It's beyond repair and the other column that he gave me has the same kind of damage to that piece.

I'd try to see if a junk yard has it, but I'd hate to pull apart a column just to find that it's damaged to. I wonder how much it'll cost through Ford?

Also, when I got almost everything back together (ignition was a pain), I found that I can't make the starter turn over. The ignition seems to be installed properly, but I didn't have the plastic piece back in place or the steering wheel installed.

Do you have to have these in place to make the starter kick over?
Does anyone know what that plastic piece is called?

Thanks.

 

the turn signal switch you are talking about is $104.00 here where I'm at at the Ford dealer I need to buy one myself.I had to buy the pot metal peice that likes to jam up the column where you can't start it it was a bear to get that tilt column back together.I told my wife when I order the turn signal switch that I will have the dealer to install it since it comes prewired.

 

I found it at Auto Zone for $80.

 

Click this link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/81-82...39736366QQrdZ1
I've seen a number of them on eBay Motors Auction.

 

I got everything back together last night, though I didn't completely snug down the steering wheel yet until I can drive it to make sure I put it back on straight.

The pad on the steering wheel: I have 3 wires, 2 are attached to a plastic connector (that's a no brainer). But, I have one black one that has a funny looking tab that looks like it snaps into something, but I can't figure out what.

 

Ground wire to steering wheel hub, should have a mating tab.