Hi!

My steering wheel had some play, and I tried to adjust the Power steering gear and didn't fix it. I found that the shaft has some play on it. I am still trying to figure out how to remove it, but I couldn't find the part online. I have the draw and could find it in the Ford Truck Catalog. Any tip on where I can find it? Or how to fix it?
Here is the video of the play (https://drive.google.com/open?id=19g...o&usp=drive_fs)

Thank you very much,


Gus

 

Adjusting the steering box (sector shaft gear lash) is a roll of the dice. 2wd or 4wd? Is it a tilt wheel? You know that diagram above is for a tilt wheel. Here is how to take apart a tilt wheel apart. Easiest thing to do it remove the complete steering column from the truck and take it apart of the workbench to get the inner shaft out.


You should be able to just unplug the connector from the dash harness to the steering column harness with one big elec connection. Disconnect the steering shaft from the steering column (the part in the engine compartment). Right at the fire wall, one nut/bolt and remove the bolt.

Disconnect the shift rod #7326 from the connection to shift lever # 7346 (that one can be a PITA where the rod pin slips in the shift lever). Sometimes it is easier to take the shift rod loose at the other end. C clip?? I remember. And then 2 bolts hold the column to the under part of the dash. And the the rubber firewall boot (4 bolts?).

To take the rest apart its something like this....First you need to remove the steering wheel, then the turn signal switch. Drive the roll pin out of the gear shift and pull it out. There is some spring pressure to work against to get the shifter out. Then, underneath the turn signal switch are two nuts. Try loosening these first then remove the casting. These are what "clamps" the collar in place. If you take the nuts all the way off the little square head bolts might fall into the steering column and can be a real pain to retrieve. Once all that's out of the way, you can pull the shift collar off. To remove the turn signal switch, you need to remove the phillips head screws that hold the switch in place. Unplug the switch harness under the dash. (Continue on ONLY it you have to remove the t/s switch assembly) Look at the harness plug, then look at the terminals, there are little plastic fingers that lock them in place. Depress the fingers and pull the wires out of the plug. Be sure to make a chart of where the wires go. Once the plug is removed, tie a string around the wires and pull the switch out all the way. The string will make getting the wires back through easier. The shift collar just pulls off and the new one pushes on. After that reassemble in reverse order.

 

Is is a 1979 F-350 4x4 with tilt wheel.
Wow, thank you very much for the explanation! I am taking a beating from the Shif Rod and the Shif Lever. They didn't born there, so it will be lose someday haha.

I am not finding the Steering shaft online I only find the short one on the engine compartment. Any specific name that I should search?

Happy 4th of July!
Gus

 

Like I said try taking it off the other end (see the red in my diagram) and see the mistake in the blue # 7326 up top and red #7362? I believe it might be a C clip that holds it on. Or it could be a nut and that is where you adjust your shifter position to the gear indicator difference. So make note of it position BEFORE you remove it.

You need to look for a steering column "steering shaft". Most of what is going to pop up is engine compartment steering shaft. Check Dennis Carpenter, Jeff's bronco Graveyard, National Parts Depot, Borgeson has the inner ones? See links.

Maybe, but double check these #'s https://www.ebay.com/itm/11392099766...evt=1&mkcid=28

Or https://www.ididitinc.com/c-1310145-...umn-shift.html

 

It worked. I use a C-clamp to pop off the Shift rod.


My shaft looks different from those. I just found one guy selling the same as mine as it was the entire column by $700

Thanks,
Gus

 

It better be 100% rebuilt, end to end. New bearings, steering wheel, horn pad, and turn the signal switch ect.

 

Looks like it is. Do you think it worth $799? Ebay Link

 

Well...that is A LOT of money, I mean A LOT of $$$ IMO for a tilt steering wheel, rebuilt or not. But tilt steering columns are getting sort of rare. As long as the tilt/lock mechanism is 1000% guaranteed. That tilt lock piece is the part that wears out and it is NOT a purchasable item. More like machine shop reproduced.

So is the play in your tilt assembly u joint? I bet you could find a good/great condition none tilt for less than half the price of that one on Ebay. I mean just how much do you use the tilt feature? $799 + shipping worth?

 

I agree with you. I can buy a lot of other parts that are needed. But I intend to keep the interior closest to the original possible. My lack of knowledge isn't capable of answering the U-joint question. The play is in this joint, highlighted in yellow in the picture. And here is a video that I did of the play. I think that is the U joint.

Thanks,
Gus

 

Gus you nailed it and made a video of it. Yes that is the ujoint and yes it looks to be bad. Maybe a machine shop or automotive speciality business (hot rod custom shop) can just replace that u joint if you can not source a replacement.

I understand the desire to keep original, but like I said you could get a complete non tilt way cheaper, put it in in 15 min and be on the road with that area being play free. All the while while you are sourcing a steering column shaft with a good u joint.

When I have some free time I will dig deep for you a replacement, on the web. For now I have to head up to the shop and get back to Ford truck work.

Here is a bit on tilt steering wheel info...http://www.fordification.com/tech/tilt.htm Knowledge is power.

 

Yeah, I am inclining to go without tilt. And Thank you for the link, I am going to read it today.

Gus