Help sloppy steering column
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2005
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Help sloppy steering column
Sorry guys I asked about this before and now I can't find the post.I have a 1996 F-150 with tilt steering and the steering wheel literally flops about 1 inch in all directions...I took the truck to the dealership tonight so they could have a look at it.They told me that it was not a common problem over the phone..They took it in and then called me to the counter and said yes the bushings are worn out and the parts to fix it are obsolete.Then they charged me $50 bucks and said have a nice day!!!!GRRRRRRRR...So is this a common problem?It seems like my only choice is a used column from another truck.I'm sure this won't be cheap so I don't want to replace it with another one that is ready to fall apart..Is there a bearing or a bushing that I can fix this with?..I don't really want to tear it apart until I have the parts to fix it as it is an everyday driver...Also is there any issues with removing the air bag?I know these things are very dangerous if you set them off accidentally they can literally take your head off...Also if I have to go the wrecker route which years columns are interchangeable?
Last edited by frdnut; May 16, 2006 at 07:21 PM.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 46
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From: Crowley, TX
Originally Posted by Mauno
Are you referring to free-play in the steering or is the steering wheel literally loose?
I did some looking and was able to find the bearings for a non-tilt column, but not the tilt column. I finally ended up getting another column from another member on this website. I've still got the old one. I may have to tear it down and investigate...
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
Just replace the bearings, or the entire column with a junkyard column, and the slop goes away.
http://frederic.midimonkey.com/temp/96f150column.jpg
#68, the large bearing, is usually the one that goes when the column has the amount of slop that yours has.
BTW, all of the f-truck columns from 92-96, crown vics/town cars/marquis from 91-95 have the same #68 bearing in the diagram.
Junkyard is the way to go.
http://frederic.midimonkey.com/temp/96f150column.jpg
#68, the large bearing, is usually the one that goes when the column has the amount of slop that yours has.
BTW, all of the f-truck columns from 92-96, crown vics/town cars/marquis from 91-95 have the same #68 bearing in the diagram.
Junkyard is the way to go.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,279
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From: savannah,ga
my 96 van had the same problem. no tilt
the dealer hear said they would order the parts 90.00
the u pull it yard had a good column with tilt for 35.00
easy swap. I had to swap the electrical switches out
from my old one but was still an easy swap
the dealer hear said they would order the parts 90.00
the u pull it yard had a good column with tilt for 35.00
easy swap. I had to swap the electrical switches out
from my old one but was still an easy swap
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2005
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Yes the slop is in the steering wheel.Anyone know if the parts are available to fix the column?
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2006
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From: Crowley, TX
Originally Posted by frdnut
Yes the slop is in the steering wheel.Anyone know if the parts are available to fix the column?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
Screamin - get a town car/marquis/CV column (most have tilt) in the year range I specified above, and leech the bearing(s) that you want. While I don't find too many 92-96 F-truck columns in junkyards, there is no shortage of T/M/C columns.
Also look at ebay if you're not into junkyarding.
Frdnut - give your local autozone, pep boys, and so on a call - they probably don't have it in stock, but should be able to order it.
Bearing #68 is the same tilt, or non-tilt. It's the stuff in *front* of that bearing that's different on a tilt-wheel.
Also look at ebay if you're not into junkyarding.
Frdnut - give your local autozone, pep boys, and so on a call - they probably don't have it in stock, but should be able to order it.
Bearing #68 is the same tilt, or non-tilt. It's the stuff in *front* of that bearing that's different on a tilt-wheel.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2006
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From: Crowley, TX
Originally Posted by frederic
Bearing #68 is the same tilt, or non-tilt. It's the stuff in *front* of that bearing that's different on a tilt-wheel.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
That can go as well I imagine, and you can get it from the same columns I menitoned above. Me, I'd just swap the entire column and move the ignition & signal switches over, but that's me.
Usually #68 is the one that goes because when getting in and out of a truck, people use the steering wheel to support their weight as they swing their legs around to step "down" out of the vehicle, and use it to pull themselves up to get in.
This applies to height impaired people more than height advantaged people
With my 81 crewcab, my ex-wife who stood at 4'11" barefoot, would do this, and still struggle to get into the truck. To be fair, that truck was radically lifted, and the floorpan was at her chin.
Usually #68 is the one that goes because when getting in and out of a truck, people use the steering wheel to support their weight as they swing their legs around to step "down" out of the vehicle, and use it to pull themselves up to get in.
This applies to height impaired people more than height advantaged people
With my 81 crewcab, my ex-wife who stood at 4'11" barefoot, would do this, and still struggle to get into the truck. To be fair, that truck was radically lifted, and the floorpan was at her chin.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2006
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From: Crowley, TX
Originally Posted by frederic
Me, I'd just swap the entire column and move the ignition & signal switches over, but that's me.
I have a feeling you're probably right about why that bearing breaks. That would explain why the car columns don't seem to have the same problems, they're much easier to get into! In the case of my truck, the previous owner drove it without power steering for quite a while and that's what did that bearing in.
One of these days I'll have to go get a bigger pair of snap-ring pliers so I can take that old column apart to see what all got broken. The only pieces that I saw fall out of the column look to be from the larger bearing (at least from what I can see on your diagram)
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2003
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I picked up the parts at the dealer. The instructions were included. There is a second bushing you will need. Just ask for it. You also need a piece of 1/2" X 1 3/4" pipe which is used to press the new bearing set back into place. It only took a couple of hours tops. When you take the screws out of the air bag, just unplug the electrical connector and set the bag out of harms way. If your cylinder lock set is starting to get worn, throw one of those in as well since the colum will be apart. My guess is that you will find a broken spring and a worn out bushing in there like I did. Good Luck.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2005
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Hovey30 do you have a part# for the kit?..It would really be helpful if I had something to tell the dealers to look for,especially if it is obsolete...I would prefer to fix the column rather than get another one that may be ready to fall apart as well..
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 101
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From: Columbia,S.C.
i have an 89 w/ sloppy steering wheel, i just rebuilt my tilt column and got the parts from lmc, however mine was in the lower column flange, there are press in pins that hold the upper and lower together and some one beat them out scared the inner surface so much that the pins would not stay tight, so just make sure to take care when removing those pins. After that it's as tight as a......well its tight
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