Steering column tilt mechanism clip needed

Hi all!
Ive been scrounging the local wrecking yards and cant find what im looking for.
Its the two clips that hold the tilt lever in place. (See photo).
They used these clips from the 60’s all the way up to 86. Then they changed the tilt design.
I need 2. But would like to find 4. I have a 67 Cougar that needs one as well. Which will leave me with a spare. Just in case.

Is it 3E716 in this illustration from page Documentation/Interior/Steering Columns and the Illustrations tab?  If not, what # is it?  I should be able to find the full part number and you may be able to find a source.

3D544 is the part i need the clips for.
the part shown in the second photo. Looks like a wobbly U shape is held in place with these clips.

D1AZ-3E543-B - Last published list price $10.54 each.
Obsolete from Ford, but  lotsa dealers still show them on hand. Google pictures look a bit different, but I'm pretty sure that's it...

myrl883 wrote

D1AZ-3E543-B - Last published list price $10.54 each.
Obsolete from Ford, but  lotsa dealers still show them on hand.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-1973-Ford-Mustang-Tilt-Steering-Column-Release-Lever-Retainer-D1AZ3E43B/174164239423?epid=1211196206&hash=item288cff643f:g:yZ0AAOSwi5VeJvZt

CRAP - $27 each?? I'll sell you some for that!

The part number shows that part was used starting in 1971 on cars and trucks.  (The D means 70's, the 1 means 1970 +1, and the A means the Ford line of cars - not trucks, not Pintos, not Merc's, just the large Fords.)

Here's what the master parts catalogs show for usage:


3D544 LEVER (STEERING COLUMN RELEASE)
73/78 A - - w/tilt wheel
73 F - - w/tilt wheel
76/ G - - w/tilt wheel
74/ S - - w/tilt wheel
78/ U - - w/tilt wheel
78/ EI00/350 - - w/tilt wheel
FI00/350 - - w/tilt wheel
80/ E-F-U100/350,F(Super Duty)
89 F53 — Stripped Chassis

And here's how to translate the A and F and G, etc:

VEHICLES and RELATED CATALOG CODES              CATALOG CODES and RELATED VEHICLES
Bronco U                                                                                       A Ford
Fairmont P                                                                                     B Torino, LTD II
Fiesta X                                                                                         F Mustang
Ford A                                                                                           G Granada
Granada G                                                                                      L Pinto
LTD II B                                                                                          P Maverick
Maverick P                                                                                     P Fairmont
Mustang F                                                                                      S Thunderbird
Pinto L                                                                                           U Bronco
Thunderbird S                                                                                 X Fiesta
Torino B

So, that might help you find a used part.  But, for finding what the part number for the clip is, I'm stuck.  As you've noticed, the illustration doesn't appear to show it.  Would it help if I posted the illustrations for those other applications?  Perhaps one of them shows it?

No Gary. I don't think it's in the illustration. Look at the '73-'79 car catalog - it's there and plain as day... Remember my repeated comments on catalog errors/omissions?? The catalogs are helpful, NOT a bible.

Looks like I'm a bit late to the party.  But the applications for 3D544 should also be for 3E543.  I think.

Yep, that looks like it might be the guy.  From the '73-79 car MPC:

3e543, thats it! Now to try and find it for less than 20-30. Each! I mean, its a 2. Clip! 😆
Thank you for taking the time to search it out for me. Much appreciated.
I’ll post my results in case anyone else needs any.

Madtikicustoms wrote

3e543, thats it! Now to try and find it for less than 20-30. Each! I mean, its a 2. Clip! 😆
Thank you for taking the time to search it out for me. Much appreciated.
I’ll post my results in case anyone else needs any.

https://www.rearcounter.com/D1AZ-3E543-B-parts249817.html