I have a 78 or 79 tilt, auto column in my truck so this is not the right area for this question really.

Anyway, I just wondered if you could still buy the "shift collar" for the steering column. I guess that's what you call it. NPD listed one for 78-79 auto but not for tilt column.
Anyone have any info?

Thanks

 

D9TZ7228A (replaced D8TZ7228C) .. A/T Shift Collar-Use w/Tilt Wheel / Obsolete

Fits: 1978/79 F100/350, Bronco & Econoline.

TOM HILLER FORD in Escalon CA has ONE = 209-838-3535.

KLIMESH MOTOR SALES in Calmar IA has ONE = 563-562-3241.

JST AUTOMOTIVE in Lebanon TN has ONE = 615-443-3086.

ANTIQUE AUTO SUPPLY in Arlington TX has TWO = 817-275-2381.

TISON MOTOR CO. in Estill SC has TWO = 803-625-2551.

MILLER OBSOLETE PARTS in Binghamton NY has TWO = 800-546-7278.

GREEN SALES CO. in Cincinnati OH has SEVEN = 800-543-4959.

(sigh) Typing this jazz was interrupted when the 'puter, then the table, then the whole house began to shake...caused by the usual, an earthquake. Welcome to California!

 

My wife was so happy when we moved to Arkansas that we wouldn't have to do anymore earthquakes. Boy did she get a surprise about 3 months after we moved.
Still, nothing like the Landers or Loma Prieta.

 

Thanks NumberDummy, got my collar in today from Green Sales Co.

Do you have any info on the universal joint that's in the tilt part of column?
I haven't looked into it in years but it has slack in it & I think it might be made together with each shaft.

 

What U-joint? There isn't anything like this in any tilt column.

Do you have slack in the mechanism between the increments? If so, this is usually caused by a lazy S shaped 'locking lever' with teeth on one end of it.

When the teeth wear, slop begins.

E2TZ3B661A (replaced DOAZ3B661A) .. Tilt Column Locking Lever / Obsolete

I wouldn't get one of these till you find out exactly what's wrong. There are dozens of these levers still available because it fits...

Myriad 1970/80 Passenger Cars / 1978/91 F100/350, F(Super Duty), Bronco and Econoline.

 

I'm talking about the magical device that allows the steering shaft to FLEX when you tilt your wheel all the way up or down.

I have STEERING slack in the column itself.

I'm afraid it is all made together as in I would need a new complete steering shaft to go in my column. You're right I'll not order anything until I look into it.

 

The entire tilt wheel mechanism is located above the shift collar in the column. It has nothing to do with the steering shaft.

When you push the turn signal handle forward, the tilt wheel actuator works in conjunction with the locking lever. Once the wheel is in the desired position, the locking lever holds it in place.

If you have up/down play in the column, there is an upper steering column bearing and retainer located in the top side of the upper flange, another at the bottom of the column. Wear on these parts causes play in the column.

 

I got it took care of today. Thanks anyway NumberDummy. I didn't have play in the tilt mechanism, I had steering slack.

If you ever get a chance to see a Ford truck tilt column apart you'll see what I meant. There is about 24" to 30" of (lower) steering shaft then a "u-joint", "wobble joint" whatever you want to call it, then about 6 more inches of steering shaft at the top or steering wheel end. The wobble joint actually had a bolt in the middle allowing for slack or tension adjustment. After complete disassembly & about half a can of carb cleaner, I coated the parts with Joe Gibbs assembly lube (it was laying nearby), got it back together & adjusted for no slack.

If I could post pics I would have snapped a shot of it today.

 

What you are describing is the lower steering shaft and coupler assembly...used only with 4WD.

You never mentioned anything inre to 4WD.

 

I thought you'd like that comment.

It's a 2wd truck with a 2wd column.

You're just not seeing the forest for the trees.

I think anyone else that's read this would understand since I've explained 2 or 3 times now.

I got it fixed, let's not Thanks & good day.

 

2WD steering columns have a one piece steering shaft. There is no U-Joint ('wobble joint') of any kind.

The ONLY trucks that have what you describe are 4WD's as they have a lower steering shaft and coupler assy that includes a U-joint.

Since the steering column is not original to your truck, how the heck do you know it's a 2WD column? It cannot be...if it has that joint.

Since it has a tilt wheel, it's from a 1978/79 F150/250 4WD, Bronco or 1979 F350 4WD.

If in doubt look at the steering column exploded views in the 1973/79 Ford truck parts catalog...then you can see what I already know.

And...if you need to replace it, the whole thing comes as a one piece assembly, the u-joint is not furnished by itself. There are three different types, all are obsolete.

The only source that has any is Green Sales who has one of the three types, they want 600 bucks for it.

 

Could you give me a YES or NO answer to this question?

Does the steering wheel attach to the steering shaft? Please just a yes or no.Please.

 

Notice the item labeled "steering shaft".

 

It means that when the column is tilted either up or down from center of shaft it must have some type of u-joint/wobble joint to allow the shaft to turn in a non-straight line.

Picture of said U-joint/wobble joint.

Holding this joint together is a small nut and bolt. 9 times out of 10 when the column is loose the problem is the original lock nut Ford used is worn out. Replacing that nut with a new one will tighten it up like a new column.

 

Correct terminology, and being able to view said part in the parts catalog...is everything.

What y'all call a u-joint aka wobble joint, Ford calls a spring. It looks no more like a spring than a bull elephant does.

Nevertheless, since it looks exactly like the part in the pic you posted, this is what it is: DOAZ3B664A .. Steering Column Locking Lever Spring-Use w/Tilt Wheel.

Fits all: 1970/80 Passenger Cars (except 1979/80 LTD/Mercury Grand Marquis); 1978/91 F100/350, F(Super Duty), Bronco & Econoline.
Uh huh...compare any 1965/79 2WD steering column to any 1966/79 4WD steering column, you will see that...

2WD's have a one piece steering shaft (3524) / 4WD's have a two piece steering shaft. The upper steering shaft (3524) connects to the lower steering shaft and coupler assy (3B676).

1966/75 4WD's: The U-Joint that is part of the lower steering shaft and coupler assy is replaceable / 1976/79 4WD's: The lower steering shaft and coupler does not have a replaceable U-Joint...it was manufactured as a one piece assy.
It should tell you everything about me! Since I have the parts catalogs (and you do not), I can look up all this jazz.

If I did not have the parts catalogs, you might still be lookin' for the shift collar you needed. But...since I do have the parts catalogs...you now have the shift collar I looked up, then found for you.