I had to get my 86 inspected yesterday and I failed for two stupid things one was my tail pipe hanger on the pass side must have snapped no big deal there but something that I never ever would have thought of, they said there is too much play in my steering wheel(tilt flange)everything else went right thru,now there is only 900 miles on my truck since the last time it was inspected and the wheel has always had a small amount of play the whole time I have owned this truck in 10 years.

They claim that it is a saftey issue but the amount of play is not that bad so I want to try and do something about it without buying new parts($260 just for the flange assy)Has anybody ever run across this and if so how did you repair it,Replacing the column is out no good used ones in the area.

I think they like to pick apart old cars/trucks and couldn't find nothing else wrong with mine to fail it for, a 22 yr old truck that has less wrong with it then most of the newer cars/trucks that were there getting inspected.

 

hate to say it - replace the column. I sold the last 2 out of the shop for EXACTLY that problem to people who made the drive 'cuz no good ones exist.

 

if you really think the column is ok and not a safety issue, take it to someone else, a smaller private shop and they shouldnt care as much about that kinda stuff. That has been my experience however. I worked at a goodyear chain for a few years and we were instructed to flag anything and everything, no matter how minor it be. Everywhere has a lick'em and stick'em place im sure, you just have to know the right people. also from guys ive worked with, they dont even like to inspect/emission old cars due the old tailpipe test. it takes too long to look over an older car that COULD possiby have a problem and actually need inspected than a brand new one where it is a quick inspection. hope u get it either inspected or fixed

 

bwahahahahah!

aint that the truth! we have a saying here about 'monro' - all cars need ball joints at monro, even the new ones!

 

You could try taking it to another place, but you will have to take the rejection sticker off. When you roll in there with no sticker at all, then that's a red flag to any inspection station.

Steering columns are never fun to work on, but in this case you have nothing to lose to take it apart and see if you can fix it. I have heard there is a pot metal flange that cracks, especially on 4wd trucks because people grab the steering wheel to pull themselves inside the truck. You never know, you may be able to use some JB weld on the bad part to get it to pass temporarily if it did happen to be a broken piece causing the problem.

 

Could be simple as the four bolts holding it together to the base of the tilt assy . As I can rember a really pita to get apart to tighten them up.

 

Well, if you passed it 900 miles ago, you can pass it again. It will just take the right person. I'd say take it to another place, or wait until a different worker is at the one you went to. Or move down here to TN and just gut your whole exhaust and don't worry about inspection.

 

I was able to take care of it, I have come up with a great repair for worn out tilt flanges.
Mine were hardly worn and the pins that go thru the outer flange and into the inner flange were just a little loose and wern't pressed in tight anymore.

I staked around the hole with a center punch to shrink the hole some, then from the top on each side of the inner flange I drilled a 9/64" hole and tapped it to 8-32 and installed two set screws put it all back together, tightened the set screws to lock the pins in place and now there is no more play and everything works better then before now that it has been cleaned and lubed,I will repair or replace my tail pipe hanger tomorrow and then take it back thru state and it won't cost me a dime.

In the ten years I have owned this truck it is the second time it failed inspection but for a minor repair. I will never pay to have this truck inspected the body might look like crap but I keep everything else maintained and safe.

I wish I had taken some photos even though my tilt flanges wern't that bad the repair I did would work if the holes were really worn and egg shaped for a lot less then the $260 they wanted for new ones and less then a 1/4 of the time to change the column thanks for the replys.

 

The column takes about five minutes to replace.

Glad to see you got er' tightened up though. Should have taken some pics though.

 

That's what I am talking about

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franklin2

That's what I am talking about

My brother gave me the idea just messing around after I had put it together the first time and said they should have put somekind of way to lock the pin like a set screw, and I took it from there and if you didn't know a ford column (except the stake marks) it looks factory and should have been.