Steering Column removal; how bad?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 136
Likes: 1
Steering Column removal; how bad?
Fellas,
I have a 1995 F-150 automatc (w/airbag). The handle broke off of the shifter stalk this weekend while my wife was shifting. The shifter stalk still works, but the one of the wires for the OD cancel button broke off of the handle. I also have the classic sloppy shifter, and I can see that the bushings that hold the shifter tube are long gone.
My question is how bad is removing the steering column so that I can work on this on the bench. I've read posts in the past that it isn't too bad, but I've never worked on a column with an airbag. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Tim in New Baltimore MI
I have a 1995 F-150 automatc (w/airbag). The handle broke off of the shifter stalk this weekend while my wife was shifting. The shifter stalk still works, but the one of the wires for the OD cancel button broke off of the handle. I also have the classic sloppy shifter, and I can see that the bushings that hold the shifter tube are long gone.
My question is how bad is removing the steering column so that I can work on this on the bench. I've read posts in the past that it isn't too bad, but I've never worked on a column with an airbag. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Tim in New Baltimore MI
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
On the 92-96 removing the column is fairly easy.
1. disconnect battery.
2. Disconnect the "berg" joint on the steering shaft just above the floor line. You can't miss it. Remove the one bolt.
3. Remove the ignition lock by turning it to run, then using an awl or a coat hanger, push the recessed ignition release button that's inside the plastic housing underneath. You might have to wiggle the key a bit, but it should come out. Put the lock on the dash and don't rotate the key while it's out.
4. Remove the screws that hold the bottom, and top plastic column housings together (Phillips), and carefully work them apart. They snap together, as well as are screwed together so it's easy to pull too hard and break them (which is not the end of the world, the screws will hold it together if you don't break it too bad).
5. Disconnect the connectors for the signal stalk and hazzard switch at the top/side of the column, disconnect the ignition switch at the middle, underside of the column, and all the little connectors on the right side of the column (air bags, horn, cruise, etc).
6. Remove the four big nuts on the column brackets, which are underneath. Be careful as you undo the last one because the column will drop on your head. Wedge a 2x4 in there or have someone hold it up while you undo the nuts, or, brace it with your elbow or knee if you fit.
7. Carefully lower the column so the wheel rests on the seat, and double check everything is disconnected, electronically.
8. The last thing to disconnect is the "wire" that pulls the gear shift indicator in the cluster, which is done one of several ways depending on what you have. There will either be a small screw/nut/clamp, or a crimp. If it's a crimp, you'll have to cut it and find a replacement, of it's a screw/nut/clamp you can undo that, carefully work that wire off the ear, and the column can now be removed. More than likely you'll have to wiggle and WD40 the berg joint at the floor because often times they don't just pop out easily.
1. disconnect battery.
2. Disconnect the "berg" joint on the steering shaft just above the floor line. You can't miss it. Remove the one bolt.
3. Remove the ignition lock by turning it to run, then using an awl or a coat hanger, push the recessed ignition release button that's inside the plastic housing underneath. You might have to wiggle the key a bit, but it should come out. Put the lock on the dash and don't rotate the key while it's out.
4. Remove the screws that hold the bottom, and top plastic column housings together (Phillips), and carefully work them apart. They snap together, as well as are screwed together so it's easy to pull too hard and break them (which is not the end of the world, the screws will hold it together if you don't break it too bad).
5. Disconnect the connectors for the signal stalk and hazzard switch at the top/side of the column, disconnect the ignition switch at the middle, underside of the column, and all the little connectors on the right side of the column (air bags, horn, cruise, etc).
6. Remove the four big nuts on the column brackets, which are underneath. Be careful as you undo the last one because the column will drop on your head. Wedge a 2x4 in there or have someone hold it up while you undo the nuts, or, brace it with your elbow or knee if you fit.
7. Carefully lower the column so the wheel rests on the seat, and double check everything is disconnected, electronically.
8. The last thing to disconnect is the "wire" that pulls the gear shift indicator in the cluster, which is done one of several ways depending on what you have. There will either be a small screw/nut/clamp, or a crimp. If it's a crimp, you'll have to cut it and find a replacement, of it's a screw/nut/clamp you can undo that, carefully work that wire off the ear, and the column can now be removed. More than likely you'll have to wiggle and WD40 the berg joint at the floor because often times they don't just pop out easily.
