Aftermarket column

[IowaTom]

Gang - I'm thinking about replacing my steering column on the '85 F150 and I spoke with a gentleman at Ididit, and he said the troublesome part is matching up the wires on my column ignition switch with their relay box GM style column switch. I wouldn't think that'd be too difficult since there aren't many things involved, but I may be wrong.

Has anyone been successful with column replacement? My steering wheel wiggles from years of PO's using it to pull themselves into the cab, and I'd love the tilt capability, being 6'5".

[Rembrant]

I just checked Ebay out of curiosity, and holy smokes...rebuilt columns used to be only $750 a couple years ago...lol.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/385352972330?fits=Year%3A1986%7CModel%3AF-150%7CMake%3AFord&hash=item59b8d3b82a:g:AAEAAOSwg5Rjm8JN&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAsHtE8VjFtLrYQBld1JgelaYCfkV2GUvUhOjCUrnQR9Y%2B%2FpI%2BvSQQZ%2FVD5bqaHAhDLtfvksq5zPsKax6o2VPZ6eq8DOpbvg965Dv3HSphd7sUylgyz4jEZdKoe4QAULEp17VA3aieVEzPaayNL3WFvjscjTb99g0NJOzFp%2F4TLi%2FAkz3WhMbVFJ10UpIKtca4gsEVjHM1xtFo4%2Bf7Izd2z1%2BoACGfxfPQn%2BUPCXN2s9y3%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8agyYXHYQ

[IowaTom]

I just checked Ebay out of curiosity, and holy smokes...rebuilt columns used to be only $750 a couple years ago...lol.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/385352972330?fits=Year%3A1986%7CModel%3AF-150%7CMake%3AFord&hash=item59b8d3b82a:g:AAEAAOSwg5Rjm8JN&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAsHtE8VjFtLrYQBld1JgelaYCfkV2GUvUhOjCUrnQR9Y%2B%2FpI%2BvSQQZ%2FVD5bqaHAhDLtfvksq5zPsKax6o2VPZ6eq8DOpbvg965Dv3HSphd7sUylgyz4jEZdKoe4QAULEp17VA3aieVEzPaayNL3WFvjscjTb99g0NJOzFp%2F4TLi%2FAkz3WhMbVFJ10UpIKtca4gsEVjHM1xtFo4%2Bf7Izd2z1%2BoACGfxfPQn%2BUPCXN2s9y3%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8agyYXHYQ

Yeah, I saw those too. I didn't pay that much for my first car! :-)

[MarkF100]

Have ya tried a salvage yard? I picked up a tilt, with the steering wheel, for my 83 F100, at Buddy's in Springfield, MO. Cost me a little bit of time to pull it and $45.00. I've yet to install it as the cab is still off of the frame. However, it seems to be in very good condition. As for the aftermarket columns? I've read nothing good about them. The one I got at Buddy's has everything. Good to go. However, I'll not be using the steering wheel. It has the cruise control buttons and wood grain. Check around, you might be surprised what can be found at a salvage yard.

The wiggle could just be the rag joint.

[mat in tn]

Yeah, I saw those too. I didn't pay that much for my first car! :-)

if you are considering doing the amount of work to replace a column or even the bit of custom work to do an aftermarket one. why not pull the wheel and the turn signal switch and have a look at what's inside. you may find a bad bearing that is far easier to fix than you realize.

[IowaTom]

if you are considering doing the amount of work to replace a column or even the bit of custom work to do an aftermarket one. why not pull the wheel and the turn signal switch and have a look at what's inside. you may find a bad bearing that is far easier to fix than you realize.

I'm definitely not planning to use any aftermarket column now. :-) There's nothing out there that offers a "bolt-in" fit except for OEM stuff that's been refurbished.

Those companies/vendors basically grab your wallet and say "cough"!

We do have a pickup boneyard near and I will try that, thanks! If no luck there, I'll pull the wheel and look for worn out carrier type bearings. It's alllllways something.

 

[Rembrant]

I'm definitely not planning to use any aftermarket column now. :-) There's nothing out there that offers a "bolt-in" fit except for OEM stuff that's been refurbished.

Oh...I didn't know you were looking for an aftermarket column that was plug-n-play. That certainly doesn't exist for the Bullnose. An aftermarket column could certainly be made to work...but not without some fabrication of mounting brackets, etc. I'd do it, but only as a last resort.

I've not disassembled a Bullnose factory tilt column, but I've had several regular auto and manual (3-on-the-tree) columns stripped down, and they're really very easy to overhaul if you can find all the parts you need.

If you do repair one, just FYI there is a company that makes a replacement lower end bearing housings assembly that's much heavier/stronger than the original.

https://drbfab.com/collections/ford/products/all-metal-lower-steering-column-bearing

 

[mat in tn]

I'm definitely not planning to use any aftermarket column now. :-) There's nothing out there that offers a "bolt-in" fit except for OEM stuff that's been refurbished.

Oh...I didn't know you were looking for an aftermarket column that was plug-n-play. That certainly doesn't exist for the Bullnose. An aftermarket column could certainly be made to work...but not without some fabrication of mounting brackets, etc. I'd do it, but only as a last resort.

I've not disassembled a Bullnose factory tilt column, but I've had several regular auto and manual (3-on-the-tree) columns stripped down, and they're really very easy to overhaul if you can find all the parts you need.

If you do repair one, just FYI there is a company that makes a replacement lower end bearing housings assembly that's much heavier/stronger than the original.

https://drbfab.com/collections/ford/products/all-metal-lower-steering-column-bearing

I have done a few tilt columns and they are certainly more fiddly. fixed angle columns are very simple. i will be doing more as i get them and would rebuild as a service locally. shipping may one day be available too.

[IowaTom]

I'm definitely not planning to use any aftermarket column now. :-) There's nothing out there that offers a "bolt-in" fit except for OEM stuff that's been refurbished.

Oh...I didn't know you were looking for an aftermarket column that was plug-n-play. That certainly doesn't exist for the Bullnose. An aftermarket column could certainly be made to work...but not without some fabrication of mounting brackets, etc. I'd do it, but only as a last resort.

I've not disassembled a Bullnose factory tilt column, but I've had several regular auto and manual (3-on-the-tree) columns stripped down, and they're really very easy to overhaul if you can find all the parts you need.

If you do repair one, just FYI there is a company that makes a replacement lower end bearing housings assembly that's much heavier/stronger than the original.

https://drbfab.com/collections/ford/products/all-metal-lower-steering-column-bearing

Is that lower bearing replacement one in which the column must be removed or just loosened, unbolted and lifted a little? Press fit on the bearing or would it just drop out?

Thanks for the link, Rembrandt!

[mat in tn]

Is that lower bearing replacement one in which the column must be removed or just loosened, unbolted and lifted a little? Press fit on the bearing or would it just drop out?

Thanks for the link, Rembrandt!

the lower bearing can be replaced with the column installed. the mid shaft with the flex connector needs to be disconnected then telescoped in to be out of the way then there are three 1/4" headed screws holding the bearing housing to the column. of course, all of this is under the brake master but very accessible.