Hey all,

I have a stock original (never restored) 1970 ford f100 with a 302 v8, c4 auto, and power steering. The truck is at a local repair shop, so I can't run out & try things readily. I had taken it there for follow up brake work and when trying to leave the place, the shifter mechanism broke. Disconnecting the shifting rod showed the transmission still working but the part connected to the shift linkage does not work. The mechanic suggested a junk yard find would be the best approach. Is there another way, like repairing this one? Seems these columns are hard to find.

If I put in a floor shifter would the existing column still be okay?

All comments are welcome.

Thanks,
Larry

 

What exactly do you mean by the shifter mechanism? A broken shift collar where the lever attaches? The shift tube inside the column? The lever on the steering column under the hood where the linkage to the transmission attaches?


We need more exact info before we can help.

 

Larry: There are several possibilities as to what actually broke.
Fortunately, most of the parts are available from the businesses which advertise here.
Unfortunately, you most likely have to disassemble the steering column to figure out what went wrong.
First, can you see if the upper part has pulled up and away from the outer tube of the steering column? To put it another way, the outer tube may have slipped down. You should see a difference in the paint where the shift collar has moved. The shift collar has a tab which slides in a slot on the inner shifting tube. If the collar has moved, the tab and slot may have become disengaged. You might be able to get the collar and shift tube to re-engage by pushing the collar down. If this works, you'll need to simply reassemble the column properly.

If this isn't the case, you probably need to disassemble the column.
First, look at the bottom bearing at the bottom of the column (in the engine compartment). If the center solid shaft is wobbly in there, you need to replace that bearing. Go on ahead and remove the column as it will make the rest of the work easier.
If the lower bearing is good and tight, you may get away with just removing the upper parts. Be advised, though, you might end up have to pull the column anyway.
Pull the steering wheel.
Remove the turn signal switch. You'll need to remove the pins from the electrical connector, to be able to pull the switch wires out of the column. Be sure to note which wire goes where, with a drawing.
Remove the upper shift housing, then remove the collar. There is no need to remove the shift lever, it comes with the collar.
If you cannot see a problem with the shift collar, or with the way it engages the shift tube, you'll need to delve more into the column, to discover the reason for trouble.
The shift tube extends down inside the outer tube to the bottom. There is usually a tab welded to the outside of the bottom of the shift (inner) tube, that engages the transmission shift lever that you see on the bottom, in the engine compartment. I have seen some inner shift tubes with a dimple, but I cannot recall the nature of your trucks offhand. It could be either, the point is that the shift lever that actuates the transmission shift rod has to be rotated by the inner shift tube, and the contact may have broken, or the shift tube may have worn or broken.
At this point, it is not possible to diagnose the column's exact problem without disassembly.

To summarize, the problem would most likely be, in order:
1. Shift collaror shift tube diengaged and/or misaligned
2. Broken tab on the shift collar
3. Broken or worn out shift tube

Good luck. It isn't that hard to disassemble, and it can be disheartening sometimes to re-assemble, but it is worth it. The bearings are easily replace while you are at it, and it makes the steering so much nicer.

Deo Vindice!

 

Thanks for the great info!

BTW, where the shift rod from the transmission connects to the shift lever at the bottom of the column, I'm missing the clip & the grommet needs replacing. Are these 2 components available at businesses advertised here or from NAPA?

Larry

 

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....P14.95~~~~~~~F I think this is what you are looking for. I have seen a different style grommet used on later auto colums so I am not positive. If your the rubber has a bushing in the center this is it. I do not believe it includes the clips though. I am using an e-clip till I can find the proper clip. As far as those grommets [bushing and insulator] I do not know the best way to put them on. Maybe someone will post it so we will both know.

 

mine did the exact same thing and it ended up being the shift tube right under the master cylinder. It was a pain to get it apart, and I still don't have it reassembled again.