i need a little help- steering column re-assembly

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

well we had a 72 with an automatic come in a couple weeks ago. somebody else took the steering column out and took it apart to replace the bearings at the top and bottom.

well he got laid off and here it is today that parts finally arrived, i printed off a breakdown off this site today at work and read an article but one thing doesn't make sense to me or maybe im just missing parts... under the turn signal switch/cam there is 2 square headed bolts that come in through the bottom and have nuts on the other side, what do these hold on? there is wear marks as if the nuts were just installed with nothing under them.

also the horn contact seems to be stuck down inside its hole.. any suggestions on how to get this out without breaking anything? i've gotten lube into it and been moving it and turning it with a pick but it won't come back up

[fordman]

those nuts in the tss collar are wedge bolts. i guess thats what to call them. anyway the square headed bolt hook into the steerign column tube. you have to keep the bolts away from the center and slide the collar on the tube. once the square heads are finall yin place you tighten the nuts to wedge it all together.

the horn brush being stuck is a wierd problem. i havent heard of that unless it is mashed and wont come out. if it is mashed like that it may be bad by the time you get it out. it should look like this when its out and good. http://www.fordification.com/images/for ... ontact.jpg

i cant give you any tips on how to get it out. the only thing i can think of is if you can get a hold of it with some needle nose pliers and pull it out gently if you cant get a hold of it. there really isnt a way to get under it. unless you take a pic of somesort and poke a hole in the plastic and push it up from the hole you made . using the pick. and then the neddle nose pliers.

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

thanks, got it on the first try

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

ok i have another question...

how do i put the steering shaft/bearings on correctly? i have new bearing installed with new white bushings and when i put the shaft in with the steering wheel i notice that i have to adjust the length of shaft sticking out the top to get the proper pre-load and steering wheel clearance.

im sure it was supposed to be marked beforehand.. the guy took off the clamp at the very bottom of the shaft which obviously shouldn't have been removed.. then he wirewheeled the shaft clean so i have no reference

[fordman]

the shaft adjustment and lower bearing are adjusted after the coumn and steerign wheel are in the truck. the adjustment moves the column up towards the steering wheel and the clamp on the bottom holds the outer column and bearing in place

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

yeah i figured it out, i have the column in the truck but im having trouble getting things adjusted.. the bushing at the bottom keeps popping out and i have to force it back into the bearing then try to tighten the clamp but it sits inside the tube so its hard to get wrenches in there. i got it to where i want it and clamped it down from under the dash, and i have the steering coupler hooked up.

[ForingaMex]

I would have done that before installing the column in the truck. Much easier to get to but it should still work after installing the column.

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

yeah i fought it for a while.. the bushing kept popping out when i turned the wheel. i took it back out and realized the bottom is supposed to have a steel bushing in it. i would have known this if i was the one to take it apart .

it works great now, and i had a few first time bump experiences, first time i've ever driven a 6cyl, automatic, halfton bump. it was heaven

[fordman]

it really is surprising how good a 6 cyl truck can run and drive.