How to rebuild an automatic steering column - Completed

[lee_ford]

Great write up. The only thing I would add was to take notes of where the wires go in the connecter. I would label a drawing of the plug with the colors of the wires before you remove them. Much easier than checking the plug wire colors on the one still out in the truck. There may be a better diagram somewhere with the info already, but just in case, I would do my own.

[sargentrs]

Thanks a good point. I took close up photos from all 6 sides of the connector and saved them for later reference.

[Mancar1]

What a great thread.Thanks, lotta good info

[sargentrs]

Thanks, John! It helped me by writing it all down. I realized that, although I had rebuilt my 3OTT about 5 years ago, I had totally forgotten what I did and made the same mistakes this time that I did then

[69Ford]

Thanks for this post I'm rebuilding my column right now. Just send all the painted parts to my painter. I'm sure I'll have my computer close to reference this
post when putting back together. Great Job.

[sargentrs]

Thanks 69Ford. Hope it comes in handy. Let us know how it goes.

[arbo]

Place the retainer over the plastic ring and screw it down snugly with the 3 screws.

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Somewhere down the line someone pulled out the whole turn signal switch in mine, thus there is no retainer or 3 screws. Know of anyplace that might have the retainer? Or know size of screws? Thanks.

[sargentrs]

LMC has the horn retainer plate http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fb/full.aspx?Page=52 part # 45-0450. I believe the screws were like a #6 or 3/16" and about 1/4" long. You can pick those up at your local hardware store. If that's too big then it's a #4 or 1/8".

[arbo]

Thanks!

[BlueOvalDave]

good job Sarge, these are the type of things that are really helpful to us hobbyists

[sargentrs]

Thanks Dave! Just trying a liitle back to those who have given me so much.

[bluemoose]

The tube flange is held in place by 2 square head bolts that just "sit" in opposing slots in the top of the column housing. Here's the slots

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You're supposed to just put a glob of bearing grease on the head of those bolts and stick the heads into the slots. After 3 or 4 aggravating attempts, I wound up holding them in with silicone.

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Before installing the tube flange, I put my new shift indicators in.

I tried this, and found there is an easier way. If you thread the nuts just barely on, get it set into place and then tighten, they will catch. I tried with grease and silicone, before figuring this out.

Got it done though. Couldn't have done it without this thread. Not another like it on the inter webs!

[sargentrs]

Thanks for posting that tip, bluemoose! That is the most aggravating part of the column.

[bluemoose]

Sure is. That and finding your steering shaft looks like an hourglass.

[SSW]

With the shift collar off (or you could have done it first), and the wiring harness removed, we need to remove the shift lever from the shift collar. It’s held in place by a roll pin through the collar boss and the lever.

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Using a punch, carefully drive the pin out. The collar’s just some kind of soft metal casting so be gentle with it or you’ll break it.

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There’s a “plunger” under the shift lever and a tab on the end of it so you’ll have to turn it while applying leverage against the plunger to get it out.

Any pictures of the "plunger" or know where I can buy the parts. Mine was missing. In looking at the Steering Column diagram it looks like the Plunger is actually 5 pieces?? I do not see these parts in any of the aftermarket catalogs. Any help would be much appreciated. I wish I saw this thread before I tackled mine.