Gary Lewis Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 This should be it...somebody else can confirm. https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts/ford-main-shaft-upper-retainer-eotz3d681a That part is the one highlighted below: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountryBumkin Posted October 28, 2019 Share Posted October 28, 2019 This should be it...somebody else can confirm. https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts/ford-main-shaft-upper-retainer-eotz3d681a The description in that link says "without tilt wheel". I have a tilt wheel. What does that change the part number to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted October 28, 2019 Share Posted October 28, 2019 The description in that link says "without tilt wheel". I have a tilt wheel. What does that change the part number to? I think the same part fits both columns. Here's the whole listing from the MPC, and nothing is said about tilt or non-tilt: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kramttocs Posted October 30, 2019 Author Share Posted October 30, 2019 I think the same part fits both columns. Here's the whole listing from the MPC, and nothing is said about tilt or non-tilt: Ended up welding a nut to the backside of the shift tube. Didn't want to go back with a rivet and trying to hold a nut in there would have been a pain and require the top of the column to be removed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted October 31, 2019 Share Posted October 31, 2019 Ended up welding a nut to the backside of the shift tube. Didn't want to go back with a rivet and trying to hold a nut in there would have been a pain and require the top of the column to be removed. How hard was it to get in there and weld the nut? Was there plenty of room? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kramttocs Posted October 31, 2019 Author Share Posted October 31, 2019 How hard was it to get in there and weld the nut? Was there plenty of room? I thought it was a cinch, just stood there and poof it was done :) My dad has my wire welder building corner posts right now so I had to take it to a buddy's shop. As you expected, it was a pain but he managed to get a weld on either side. Worst case he was going to cut the top of the tab, bend it out and then weld the tab back when done. For this the nut isn't super critical as the tab itself provides the shear strength when shifting since it fits into a fairly tight slot in the collar. The rivet (or nut/bolt) just stops the up/down play or the sleeve from pushing down on the lower bearing retainer I guess. I would definitely go this route again as opposed to the loose nut or rivet (and the rivet before the loose nut) for the reason mentioned earlier - being able to easily remove the sleeve without taking the top of the column apart. Not that I plan on doing it often... The button head provides good clearance and will throw some blue loctite on there. Â Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted October 31, 2019 Share Posted October 31, 2019 I thought it was a cinch, just stood there and poof it was done :) My dad has my wire welder building corner posts right now so I had to take it to a buddy's shop. As you expected, it was a pain but he managed to get a weld on either side. Worst case he was going to cut the top of the tab, bend it out and then weld the tab back when done. For this the nut isn't super critical as the tab itself provides the shear strength when shifting since it fits into a fairly tight slot in the collar. The rivet (or nut/bolt) just stops the up/down play or the sleeve from pushing down on the lower bearing retainer I guess. I would definitely go this route again as opposed to the loose nut or rivet (and the rivet before the loose nut) for the reason mentioned earlier - being able to easily remove the sleeve without taking the top of the column apart. Not that I plan on doing it often... The button head provides good clearance and will throw some blue loctite on there. That's funny! And, I understand. You saw the weld on Big Blue's engine crossmember. That was easy as well. WelderScott sure did a good job. Good pics, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kramttocs Posted November 19, 2019 Author Share Posted November 19, 2019 That's funny! And, I understand. You saw the weld on Big Blue's engine crossmember. That was easy as well. WelderScott sure did a good job. Good pics, thanks. Have everything disassembled so I can coat the 3 collar pieces and the two upper bearings are on order. Not finding much on the factory grease or the xg-1-c. What's the recommended grease for packing the bearings as well as all over the column? Ford was fairly liberal with that amber colored grease. White lithium? Red and tacky? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kramttocs Posted November 20, 2019 Author Share Posted November 20, 2019 Have everything disassembled so I can coat the 3 collar pieces and the two upper bearings are on order. Not finding much on the factory grease or the xg-1-c. What's the recommended grease for packing the bearings as well as all over the column? Ford was fairly liberal with that amber colored grease. White lithium? Red and tacky? Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 Have everything disassembled so I can coat the 3 collar pieces and the two upper bearings are on order. Not finding much on the factory grease or the xg-1-c. What's the recommended grease for packing the bearings as well as all over the column? Ford was fairly liberal with that amber colored grease. White lithium? Red and tacky? I forgot. As you've probably found, there are several references in the FSM section on the steering column of lubricating things, but most of them don't specify what to lube with. The one exception I can find is: NOTE: Apply Multi-Purpose Long Life Lubricant C1AZ-19590-B (ESA-M1C75-B) or equivalent to lower bayonnet flange before installing into column. So I'd just use the high-temp wheel bearing grease I'm using for most other things, like the balancer on the front of the 460 that I just put on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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