Issue with steering column brace

I noticed a few weeks ago that the steering column in my '85 F150 would slide slightly side to side when turning the wheel. I decided to inspect the column expecting to find a loose bolt or two. Instead, I found this.

https://i.imgur.com/BJpZ0In.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/nvVbViS.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/zzmVK8g.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/x7OWA4y.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/vAngUZH.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/mJ0I9uu.jpg

The truck is currently equipped with a tilt steering column. I know the truck was likely involved in an accident early in its life as evidenced by a bend in the steering wheel I fixed after I bought it along with "Ford Service Parts" stickers on the radiator support. Is there another part number for this brace that the truck should have? This definitely doesn't look right.

you do not need a new bracket. simply rivet the spacers back where they were before, the whole steering column has been forced forward approx 1-1/2 inches. this is not a reason for concern now that you know and have the opportunity to fix it but certainly was a hazard before and who ever fixed the truck prior missed a big issue. shame on them.
there are a couple things to check as you will need to change them in this repair. on the column right in front of the pedals. there is the gasket/plate that goes through the firewall. it's kind of an offset teardrop shape and has five 10 mm headed bolts holding it to the firewall. there is also a strap clamp with a 13 mm bolt that you will need to loosen, three to four complete rotations should do. this is when you should be able to pull the column back into position. the column is telescopic so no panicking here. it should move 1-1/2" inches with no issue. under the hood you can easily see where the column comes through the teardrop shaped gasket and then to the end where the shifter lever comes out to the side. there should only be about 1-1/2 to 2" of the column coming through. there is a center section of the steering shaft ( about 1" diameter) then it goes into a covered type of a universal joint with a small rubber boot on the forward end then it becomes a telescopic shaft before mounting to the steering gear.
the break away rivets did their job in whatever impact it was involved in . it is the weak link in the chain by design.
it may be possible to even see scratches on the portion under the hood where the column skidded through the teardrop plate.
one last thing. there is a small chance that your shift linkage will need re adjusting but likely not. and don't forget to re tighten that strap clamp bolt once all else is tight.

mat in tn wrote

you do not need a new bracket. simply rivet the spacers back where they were before, the whole steering column has been forced forward approx 1-1/2 inches. this is not a reason for concern now that you know and have the opportunity to fix it but certainly was a hazard before and who ever fixed the truck prior missed a big issue. shame on them.
there are a couple things to check as you will need to change them in this repair. on the column right in front of the pedals. there is the gasket/plate that goes through the firewall. it's kind of an offset teardrop shape and has five 10 mm headed bolts holding it to the firewall. there is also a strap clamp with a 13 mm bolt that you will need to loosen, three to four complete rotations should do. this is when you should be able to pull the column back into position. the column is telescopic so no panicking here. it should move 1-1/2" inches with no issue. under the hood you can easily see where the column comes through the teardrop shaped gasket and then to the end where the shifter lever comes out to the side. there should only be about 1-1/2 to 2" of the column coming through. there is a center section of the steering shaft ( about 1" diameter) then it goes into a covered type of a universal joint with a small rubber boot on the forward end then it becomes a telescopic shaft before mounting to the steering gear.
the break away rivets did their job in whatever impact it was involved in . it is the weak link in the chain by design.
it may be possible to even see scratches on the portion under the hood where the column skidded through the teardrop plate.
one last thing. there is a small chance that your shift linkage will need re adjusting but likely not. and don't forget to re tighten that strap clamp bolt once all else is tight.

Thanks for the help! Sure enough, I was able to pull the steering column back out about 1.5".

Before.



After.

awesome! I'm glad it worked out and I know I can get "wordy" but I hope it all made sense.