Rag joint / steering coupler - column end removal

[Mugwump]

I'm in the middle of a disc brake / saginaw steering / tilt column conversion on the '69. The front end is ready to install the new column, but I'm having a heck of a time getting the top half of the steering coupler off my '69 column.

I've tried a gear puller (even had the 300 lb wookie leaning on it - stripped the threads on the gear puller), PB Blaster, torch heat, bigass hammer, etc. Is there a trick out there to get this thing separated? If not, does anyone have one available? All I can find at the local parts stores are the lower 1/2 of the coupler (rag joint).

Thanks

[fordman]

that doesnt come offof the column shaft. it is swedged onto the shaft from the top down. if you have a splined column you are puttign in. i think i have the part you need. i would have to go out and make sure. i am pretty sure i have one. but im not 100% sure it is what i think it may be.

[Mugwump]

Well that would explain things...

Yes, I'm putting in a '79 tilt column (splined). If you have that part, let me know.
One question - would I need to do anything special to install it? Just press it on?

As always, Fordman - you rock.

[70_F100]

Hey, Fordman!!

I need one of those flanges too, for my 78 tilt column!!

My column came from a 4x4 truck, which, as we all know, doesn't require that flange.

[fordman]

here is what i had in my minds eye when i was thinking of this problem. and what it is. is a bottom half of a rag joint. i have this one and another one. bu ti cant find the other one right now. i know i have it. but it is just a rag joint bottom is what it is. so those should be available any place i would think. or i have this one and anohter one i cant find right now.

[Mugwump]

Yeah, Fordman - I have two of those already... but thanks for checking.

I need the mating part that's on the end of the steering column.
I've yet to find one on any of the online merchants (NPD, DC, LMC, Mac's, Sacramento Vintage).
I'll hit the pick & pull tomorrow to see if I have any luck there.

If anyone has a source for the column flange in the first pic of this thread, please post it here.

[fordman]

the 4wd would have the proper thign if yours is a 4wd. the 80-86 trucks use a similar deal to hook up to the column. but they wont work on a 2wd or on anything but a 80-86 column becuase of how those columns are made those columns are oblong almost. they are round with flat spots on two sides. and i havent figured out how to use one on a 2wd yet. or our columns.

[FORDification]

This is what you need:



About all I can suggest is to watch E-bay. I've seen them on there pretty regularly.

[Mugwump]

Thanks Keith - that looks exactly like what I need.
Can you give any info about what that came off of?
Assuming a 2WD truck, 77-79?

We're heading to pick n' pull today - this thing is holding up the whole project.

[70_F100]

Yep, that's exactly what I'm looking for.

I haven't seen any listed on ebay, and I've been looking for months.

What keyword search did you use to find them?

[Mugwump]

I found this column on eBay, and sent a message the guy who's selling it.
I asked whether the column included the flange on the end for attaching to a rag joint, and he confirmed that it does.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... MEWAX%3AIT

I searched out the company online, and found a phone # and called him directly.
He rebuilds columns and sells them, and knows all about how hard these things are to find.
Then he mentioned that he 'might' have one lying around.
Long story short, he found it and sold it to me. I don't think he has any others at the moment.

If you're desperate for one, you could just buy that column with the flange attached... it is a very nice one.

[70_F100]

Not desperate.

I've got two of the complete tilt columns in my basement, but no flange for either.

I've been buying parts for the last 4-1/2 years for my resto, and since it is still a good DD, I'm not going to start tearing it down until I have everything I know I'll need. There will be surprises when I start, but things like dash gauges, bucket seats, interior trim, exterior trim and other parts I plan to have already on-hand when I start. It's basically that I want to make a quick turnaround on a frame-off, show-quality resto.

I need a couple of moldings now, a bunch of money, and I need to get the basement cleaned out.

Then, and ONLY THEN, will my wife let me start on the bump...LOL

[Mugwump]

70_F100 - good deal. I wasn't sure where you were at with your project.

It's taken me about a year to collect all the components for the project, and I thought I had pretty much everything I needed on-hand before I started this - but this little detail eluded me. That's what I get for assuming that I could get the flange off my old column.

I'll keep an eye out for these, and PM ya if I happen to come across another one.