Stupid question about my steering column.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 222
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From: Arlington, Texas
Stupid question about my steering column.
Ok, I feel really dumb, but I can't seem to figure out how to get the top of my steering column off. It gets stuck on the tilt wheel lever, and I cannot seem to get it off of it.. Please feel free to roast me if you wish(God knows I will roast myself when I figure this out), but I would appreciate a solution to a stunningly annoying problem as well.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
I'll make fun of you in a minute. Are you coming to the North Texas Powerstroke rally this weekend? Really something you should consider just stopping by for.
Now back to your question. What have you done so far? Should be a few phillips head screws on the bottom of the steering column cover to remove, the tilt lever needs to be unscrewed and removed (if you look closely you'll see 2 flat spots on the shaft you can slip a wrench onto and prevent marring the surface with pliers), then there's a little round BB looking ball below the ignition cylinder that you need to press after turn the key to the ON position and pulling the ignition cylinder out of the column.
Once you've done all that, the plastic pieces should just pull out of the way. What exactly are you digging for in there?
Now back to your question. What have you done so far? Should be a few phillips head screws on the bottom of the steering column cover to remove, the tilt lever needs to be unscrewed and removed (if you look closely you'll see 2 flat spots on the shaft you can slip a wrench onto and prevent marring the surface with pliers), then there's a little round BB looking ball below the ignition cylinder that you need to press after turn the key to the ON position and pulling the ignition cylinder out of the column.
Once you've done all that, the plastic pieces should just pull out of the way. What exactly are you digging for in there?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 222
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From: Arlington, Texas
I would love to go to the rally, but seeing as I'm getting married this weekend, I feel like the lil' lady might get slightly peeved at me. But I could be wrong.
Anyway, I've gotten as far as the only thing being left to do is get the top over the tilt wheel lever, but I couldn't get the head to break loose. I've been afraid I would break it. I guess i'll just bite the bullet and do it.
I'm going to fix the wire that rubs and shorts out the gauges/throttle. I haven't had a problem with it recently, but my overdrive switch no longer works. I'm thinking that either a wire has frayed to the point of breaking, or the button itself decided to break.
However, as mentioned earlier, I'll be a bit busy this weekend. I probably won't get to this for a while.
Anyway, I've gotten as far as the only thing being left to do is get the top over the tilt wheel lever, but I couldn't get the head to break loose. I've been afraid I would break it. I guess i'll just bite the bullet and do it.
I'm going to fix the wire that rubs and shorts out the gauges/throttle. I haven't had a problem with it recently, but my overdrive switch no longer works. I'm thinking that either a wire has frayed to the point of breaking, or the button itself decided to break.
However, as mentioned earlier, I'll be a bit busy this weekend. I probably won't get to this for a while.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,708
Likes: 5
From: Kiowa CO
The lever and the head breaks loose on the tilt lever when you unscrew it. Like Chris said, there are two flat spots on the lever shaft that you grip with the pliers and unscrew. Look for a break in the wiring. Most likely this is what you'll find. I had to remove the lever and wiring harness and this part was crossed over the top of the steering shaft. This shorted out the OD function.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
It's been a while since I removed the column cover, but I think the top is held on by the ignition cylinder (key switch) not the tilt lever (that holds on the bottom).
I guess we'll give you a pass with the whole getting married thing, but my wife is driving me to the rally
I'm not too far from you. If you don't get this figured out, I'll come show you how to remove it after this whole "till death do us part" thing. ")
I guess we'll give you a pass with the whole getting married thing, but my wife is driving me to the rally
I'm not too far from you. If you don't get this figured out, I'll come show you how to remove it after this whole "till death do us part" thing. ")
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 222
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From: Arlington, Texas
Cool. That's what I figured happened, but until I can get in there, I won't know for sure.
As always, thanks for the help gentlemen! I'll try to let everyone know when I get it fixed.
As always, thanks for the help gentlemen! I'll try to let everyone know when I get it fixed.
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