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Steering Shaft Separation

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Machspeed

Steering Shaft Separation

Administrator

Anyone know how to separate a steering shaft on an 86 F150? I have a 91 model shaft and it just slides apart, not this guy. It slides but just won't pull apart. I want to salvage the plastic shield that covers the rag joint. Or, would that shield still be available???

John

"Blackie" - 1986 F150 4x4 - Mildly warmed over 351W HO - Original owner

Gary Lewis

Re: Steering Shaft Separation

Administrator

This shield?

It came off like this. Yours if you'll come and get it.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

Machspeed

Re: Steering Shaft Separation

Administrator

That appears to be a bit different than mine, Gary. I fear that if I try to open it up to clear either end, I'll break it. Surely the shaft can be separated.

John

"Blackie" - 1986 F150 4x4 - Mildly warmed over 351W HO - Original owner

Gary Lewis

Re: Steering Shaft Separation

Administrator

Mine has what looks to be a tab that retains it. But I've not been able to get it apart even trying to depress the tab.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Machspeed

Re: Steering Shaft Separation

Administrator

Yes, I tried to depress that tab too and it did nothing. The only thing I did not do was try and push the tab inside the tube further. I'd be out there doing that now but heading out to Stillwater for family stuff. Thanks for trying, Gary!

John

"Blackie" - 1986 F150 4x4 - Mildly warmed over 351W HO - Original owner

Gary Lewis

Re: Steering Shaft Separation

Administrator

Have a safe trip.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Rembrant

Re: Steering Shaft Separation

In reply to this post by Machspeed

I remember this job very well since it was one of those times where I turned a thumbnail black lol. If you know how painful that is, then you know why I remember the exact job I was doing when it happened.

If you remove the rag joint, you can get down in there with a long drift or a long punch, and hammer it out. It's still a bear to remove if it's rusted and seized in place, but it will come out.

1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

Gary Lewis

Re: Steering Shaft Separation

Administrator

Knowing John is galavanting for the evening I'll ask - hammer what out? That thing in my pic? Which way do you hammer it?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

grumpin

Re: Steering Shaft Separation

I believe Cory means through or inside the shaft with a long punch etc.

Dane
1986 F250HD SC XLT Lariat 4x4 460 C6-Sold
1992 Bronco XLT 4x4 351W E4OD
1998 GMC Sierra SLE K1500 350 4L60E
Arizona

Gary Lewis

Re: Steering Shaft Separation

Administrator

I thought so, but wasn’t sure. Thanks, Dane.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Rembrant

Re: Steering Shaft Separation

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Gary Lewis wrote

Knowing John is galavanting for the evening I'll ask - hammer what out? That thing in my pic? Which way do you hammer it?

Ya, I meant hammering the two steering shaft sections apart. They get seized together something awful. There's a flat metal spring in there that breaks, and causes the shaft sections to become sloppy. I've tried making new pieces for the spring material, but never did have great luck with them. On my '84, I ended up welding a couple nuts on the steering shaft tube and then used a couple set screws to keep them tight. It worked like a charm.

I've taken several of those steering shafts apart, and I found two of them with that spring metal in about 3-4 pieces inside, completely busted up.

Gary Lewis

Re: Steering Shaft Separation

Administrator

Thanks, Cory. Mine sure isn't busted up. That spring is keeping things very tight. Initially it didn't even want to slide but I lubed it and got it to slide, hoping that I could slide it fast enough for it to come apart. No dice.

So, does that spring lock it in? Or is it maybe possible to use an impact hammer to jerk it apart? I learned on the D44 for Dad's truck to put it on a tire dolly, chain one side to the lift, and roll it rapidly across the floor. When the slack came out it came apart.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

mat in tn

Re: Steering Shaft Separation

I believe there is also a thin plastic bushing between the two shafts. it may be wedging in against the spring. I know the later ones had this.

Machspeed

Re: Steering Shaft Separation

Administrator

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Mine slides easily but comes to a positive stop at the end. I can move it in and out but just cannot get it apart. There is something keeping it from coming out. The 91 shaft comes apart without issue. Always something to slow down progress.

John

"Blackie" - 1986 F150 4x4 - Mildly warmed over 351W HO - Original owner

mat in tn

Re: Steering Shaft Separation

in the picture close up it kind of looks to be crimped at the end of the tube