Steering column drawings, misc info, and travails.

[Piece-it pete]

Most are probably aware of my issues with the steering column in my 85 TC.

To recap when changing the rag joint (or 'donut' or 'steering shaft coupler' or as Ford says 'flange and insulator assembly') I managed to pull the shaft partway out of the steering column.

I tapped it back in, and it works, no play in the wheel etc but there is a rattle in the column when I hit bumps etc. My neighbor again: 'Turn up the radio'

I've searched but found little info on the interior of a column, so thought this old part changing hack might actually be of some use.

I'm going to disconnect the steering shaft, either at the joint just above the ujoint in front of the firewall (if it'll come apart) or if neccessary at the rag joint, and try to monkey/worry it in, maybe I'll get lucky.

As the only luck I've had lately is the not good variety I'm researching info. Curious anyway.

Anyway, info. Views of the column with parts list, tilt 1st, then no tilt (the tilt drawings seem to reference the nontilt btw):

coltilt1.pdf
coltilt2.pdf
coltil3.pdf
colfix1.pdf
colfix2.pdf
colfix3.pdf

Sorry for having to rotate view on some of them, I have no way to manipulate pdfs.

On mine, on 'coltil2' parts 31 and 32 are loose. I assume 31 is supposed to go into 25, then 32 gets pushed up in there to hold it.

I also think the rattle is coming from 35. I might have knocked them loose. Weather permitting I'll find out soon.

Pete

[Piece-it pete]

The good news is, 42 is definately rattling inside 25. The bad news is, I have no idea how on earth I'm going to get 31 and 32 back into 25. Simple, but sure looks difficult, not much room. I hope to get a chance to try this week sometime. Maybe without breaking something else.

Pete

[gadget73]

oh the lower bearing came out of the tube. You may have to pull the column out to re-assemble that.

[GM_Guy]

Might as well start with taking a look at p71interceptors later model steering column dissassembly to get you in the mood;

http://www.idmsvcs.com/2vmod/steering/column/disassembled/pictures/index.html

31 & 32 are the lower column bearing & retainer could well be loose as well, they do wear out over time, but all my old stuff has some play at that bearing.
I ASSUME 37 & 38 protrude out the bottom (covered by the plastic cover #45), if you somehow got the shaft out of the column, I'm thinking you've got issues with #s35 that retain lower column shaft #36 to upper column shaft #34

Alex.

[Piece-it pete]

oh the lower bearing came out of the tube. You may have to pull the column out to re-assemble that.

Alex I knew that 31 was out but thought forcing it as hard as I could up against 25 would work at least temporarily. It doesn't

Looking at the newer shaft gives me the oh crap that's complicated willies! 37 and 38 are a few inches past the firewall on the engine side but I wonder what it would take to get 42 and 36 apart, they look like they've been happily married all these years. I'm hoping I can tap/squeeze/beat/intimidate 31 in without major surgery. If that doesn't fix it, then on to 35. Though I'm not sure I can fix that. If it comes to that I may have to change the column, hope not.

Pete

[gadget73]

Not quite sure from the pics, but it would seem to me something has to hold that bearing in there. Pictures make me believe 31 is the bearing, and 32 is a retainer ring of some fashion. If that let go, I'd be looking close at the retainer to see if its damaged, and inside the tube to see if something happened in there. I dont know if thats a standard internal retaining ring or if its some sort of beveled retainer deal that you have to stake in or something. Either way, it shouldn't have come apart, so make sure nothing is wrong when you re-assemble it or the parts are quite likely to fall back out again.

I'd also bet that the steering column isn't nearly as complex to remove as you're thinking it is. I've had it halfway undone with just 2 bolts. The wiring will come out without much fuss. the only part I dont know about is disconnecting the shift linkage, but thats probably not all that complex. I'd bet a little time with the shop manual and an hour or so would have that column out of the car entirely.

[Piece-it pete]

Ah so. Perhaps you're right.

32 is the retainer for 31. If you've ever replaced a box wiper fluid pump, it's similar to the internal ring that holds it in the reservoir:



It looks OK, not cracked or obviously bent. I'll find out if I can get a bit of time...

Pete

[Piece-it pete]

Almost TWO FREAKIN MONTHS LATER....

She wasn't running anyway Got her going so hit this issue.

Grabbed a bunch of 'pushing tools', offset screwdrivers etc, climbed under there, and thought by golly I'll try pushing it one last time by hand.

Finger yoga got a digit holding the top of the bushing against the tube. Pushed the bottom of the bushing hard, harder, hardest, about to give up and pop! it slid in. Win!

Yay. So I slid the retainer thing up. No pushing that in by hand I don't think. Held the top again, used the bent end of a drum brake tool on the bottom - popped right in again!

So all this thread and it took about 10 minutes. I'm happy to look stupid though, and now I can finally enjoy the new steering box

Thanks everyone for your help.

Pete

[GM_Guy]

Woot! =-)
Sometimes it pays off to step back, relax, and have a fresh go at something.

Alex.