How to drop the steering column?
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How to drop the steering column?
Looked at the manual and it shows how to pull the column, but I'd like to drop mine just a few inches to get a right angle drill at the firewall to bolt down my firewall reinforcement plate.
Is it possible? If so, how?
The car's an 83 4-speed, floor shifter, no tilt/tele or any other fancy stuff.
I've taken the 2 screws off that hold the plastic panel under the column, but short of breaking it I don't see an easy way to get it off.
Thanks in advance!
Is it possible? If so, how?
The car's an 83 4-speed, floor shifter, no tilt/tele or any other fancy stuff.
I've taken the 2 screws off that hold the plastic panel under the column, but short of breaking it I don't see an easy way to get it off.
Thanks in advance!
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Pull your wiper & headlight *****, then the trim panel, that thing will then lift up & off.
I think there are 4 bolts that hold the steering column to the dash, might be just two, I
forget for certain.
I think there are 4 bolts that hold the steering column to the dash, might be just two, I
forget for certain.
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Excellent! Got it off. Dropped the column but the wheel hits the seat and not quite enough room to get the drill in there. A lot better than before though.
Debating between getting a wheel puller and pulling the wheel, or just pulling the entire assembly out.
Debating between getting a wheel puller and pulling the wheel, or just pulling the entire assembly out.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
My dad made a steering wheel puller that works well on Ford's style of wheels (it fits really
well in the plastic housing that ultimately supports the horn button) and seems to work
better than the commercial variants I've tried.
If you remove the wheel, mark the wheel's exact placement on the column so you can
reinstall it in the exact same place. I put a piece of masking tape across both components
which I then slice through with a thumbnail.
well in the plastic housing that ultimately supports the horn button) and seems to work
better than the commercial variants I've tried.
If you remove the wheel, mark the wheel's exact placement on the column so you can
reinstall it in the exact same place. I put a piece of masking tape across both components
which I then slice through with a thumbnail.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 6
From: Florida
You could also remove your seat so you can have plenty of room to work, and assess your floors for rust or clean your floor.
I have been able to remove a steering wheel by hand using the junkyard method, but I can't seem to do it again.
I have been able to remove a steering wheel by hand using the junkyard method, but I can't seem to do it again.
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Ended up pulling the column to get everything taken care of. No more flex around the master cylinder. Also scuffed the rust off of the column floor panel and slapped a quick coat of primer and paint on it. Not perfect, but not rusty anymore.
Wasn't too bad dropping everything, after figuring out all the gotchas. Got all back in (column, dash, seat) in about 1.5 hours.
Wasn't too bad dropping everything, after figuring out all the gotchas. Got all back in (column, dash, seat) in about 1.5 hours.
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