misaligned steering column
New User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5
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misaligned steering column
I just changed my flex coupling out on my 67 Ranger 250, and noticed that the flange of the column is slightly higher than the flex coupling when it is clamped properly to the support that is bolted to the firewall. This is putting a bind on mmy flex joint, and probably caused it to fail. Is this caused by compressed rear cab mounts? Can you shim them without going through the trouble of changing them? I did notice the trim on the cab sitting 5/8 inch lower than the trim on the bed.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, FL
misaligned steering column
67,
I've been working on 65-79 fords for close to 20 years and never seen this problem. Your analysis is sound. It is much more common to see the 65-72 cab cushions fail but, never thought about the steering column misalignment. Replace the cab cushion if its rotted out and shim it if the cab mount is crushed. Autokrafters.com squares me away on things like that.
Good Luck, Have Fun,
KingFisher
I've been working on 65-79 fords for close to 20 years and never seen this problem. Your analysis is sound. It is much more common to see the 65-72 cab cushions fail but, never thought about the steering column misalignment. Replace the cab cushion if its rotted out and shim it if the cab mount is crushed. Autokrafters.com squares me away on things like that.
Good Luck, Have Fun,
KingFisher
Senior User
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
misaligned steering column
The crushed cab mount cushions idea is a good place to start. Be sure the front cab mounts are not rusted out too. If you remove the fenders, the front mount cushions are not hard to change.
TomC
TomC
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 1
From: Cullman Alabama
misaligned steering column
My 66 F-250 had been wrecked. I first noticed the Wrecked part when my Steering Coupeling failed (My son took out a gas pump in that accident) and when I went to fix it I discovered a similar misalignment. So badly misaligned that the two large pins in the column actually left the receptical in the Gearbox.
The poor kid was left with no steering at all.
Think about the liability of that kind of repair today?
I cant remember what all the damage was, but I fixed it by putting some shims in or taking some out from the Clamp up under the Dash.
Then I repositioned the Four screws that hold the lower column Flange to the Firewall.
When I got all done, the two parts lined up perfectly and it steered a lot easier. When it's right, the steering will work without the Fiber piece. (Real sloppy though)
I think the frame was bent on that truck so bad that the damage could be seen with a Stick and a Carpenters Rule. The impact was left front to left front. Musta been a mess!
The poor kid was left with no steering at all.
Think about the liability of that kind of repair today?
I cant remember what all the damage was, but I fixed it by putting some shims in or taking some out from the Clamp up under the Dash.
Then I repositioned the Four screws that hold the lower column Flange to the Firewall.
When I got all done, the two parts lined up perfectly and it steered a lot easier. When it's right, the steering will work without the Fiber piece. (Real sloppy though)
I think the frame was bent on that truck so bad that the damage could be seen with a Stick and a Carpenters Rule. The impact was left front to left front. Musta been a mess!
