First post here. I'm a new owner of a 92 F-150 with 117K seems to be in good mechanical shape for the age. My first project is kind of a priority as I need a new steering column. It seems like it might be a little more difficult than I thought... not so much in terms of labor but as far as finding a new/rebuilt steering column and knowing what sites to trust etc... what is the best way to find a steering column for my truck. also any advice on instillation would be helpful as well.

I have a few more projects coming up that I'm already aware of so I'm sure I'll be on this forum quite a bit over the next year.

 

For what reason? What is wrong with the column currently in the truck?

 

Not sure what parts you're looking for. I found that mine needed an intermediate steering shaft. It was expensive but I got it from LMC truck.
There's other info from when I asked about it here:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ing-shaft.html

 

i use Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market to source used parts for older vehicles.

 

I guess I'm not completely sure what is wrong... The steering wheel wobbles like crazy I can lift it up and down about 1 - 1.5 inches. do you think I could get away with replacing less than the whole column?

 

I replaced one in my 1993 bronco and it took about an hour and I was slow. its realy the easiest ive replaced but id check the bolts just under the dash first . there not like the old style were you have to go under the hood its all done in the cab .

 

Welcome Nate92. Is the movement in the whole column or in the steering wheel itself. If the column is stabile but the steering wheel is sloppy, the bearings are gone. Replace the whole assembly. These can be rebuilt but it's a long process. If the bearings are gone where they ride is most likely damaged and a rebuild may be out of the question.

If the whole column moves you've got a mounting bracket missing or broken mount.

I replaced the whole column in a '95 Bronco that had tilt, cruise and all the bells and whistles, 1.5 hours total time. Found it on Ebay for $125.00.

Use caution taking the old one out. The wire from the shift indicator runs around the bottom of the column and attaches to a hook assembly on the gearshift if it's an automatic. It's spring loaded, don't lose track of it.

Lastly, if there's an airbag in the steering wheel, be careful. Disconnect the battery for at least 15 minutes before working on it, unplug the column from the harness and you should be good to go. The rest of the replacement is simple mechanics.

 

I'd just go to a local salvage yard, or even search out a parts truck on craigslist and but the whole column. They aren't bad to swap out. I have a 95, and just had to remove it to replace the ignition switch actuator. I took me a couple hours or so to disassemble and remove/reinstall the column. As said before, caution with the airbag and the shift indicator if you have an auto trans. Good luck!

 

For a donor column look at a Crown Vic or similar. Pretty much the same, but the cars were lower to the ground, so the steering column wasn't used as a handle. Less wear and tear on them

 

You know, I've always been a little skitchey about working around airbags. Do yourself a favor and remove it before taking the column assembly out. It's just four nuts to remove from the bottom of the steering wheel. Takes a couple of minutes.

There's a plug under the airbag to disconnect. Keep the bag pointed away from you when unplugging it. Do this after the battery's been unplugged for a while.

I don't know how little it takes to set them off but man, them things make me nervous.