Steering column disassembly

[kramttocs]

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.

Haha no worries. Thanks!

[kramttocs]

Haha no worries. Thanks!

Decided to see exactly what the plastic pieces in the inner tube/shift tube fit into. Stuck it in the shop oven while preheating for coating other parts and then pulled it apart. The inner sleeve has a recessed portion on either side and I am guessing that the plastic was forced in there while hot? Essentially filling the void, solidifying and providing some additional torque resistance. Just a guess.

 

[Gary Lewis]

Decided to see exactly what the plastic pieces in the inner tube/shift tube fit into. Stuck it in the shop oven while preheating for coating other parts and then pulled it apart. The inner sleeve has a recessed portion on either side and I am guessing that the plastic was forced in there while hot? Essentially filling the void, solidifying and providing some additional torque resistance. Just a guess.

Interesting. So, early hot-melt glue? How are you going to put them back together?

[kramttocs]

Interesting. So, early hot-melt glue? How are you going to put them back together?

The one I took apart was my spare but I did slide it back together before I put it on the shelf. The friction fit is tight (had to use a mallet to fully seat it) but I wouldn't trust just that to withstand the shifting twist long term.

On my 'real' one before cooking the plastic out I tacked 3 spots around the perimeter and ground them down. I am still debating whether or not to work something in those slots that will harden up (and stick to the powder) but I don't think it's needed.

On the actual shaft, it pulls apart and there are two clips on the top half to provide some sliding resistance.

Now if I can only figure out how to get the outer tube to come apart. There is a column in the jy from an 86 that someone damaged the top part of that I may pick up to dissect.

[Gary Lewis]

The one I took apart was my spare but I did slide it back together before I put it on the shelf. The friction fit is tight (had to use a mallet to fully seat it) but I wouldn't trust just that to withstand the shifting twist long term.

On my 'real' one before cooking the plastic out I tacked 3 spots around the perimeter and ground them down. I am still debating whether or not to work something in those slots that will harden up (and stick to the powder) but I don't think it's needed.

On the actual shaft, it pulls apart and there are two clips on the top half to provide some sliding resistance.

Now if I can only figure out how to get the outer tube to come apart. There is a column in the jy from an 86 that someone damaged the top part of that I may pick up to dissect.

Ok, you've got info I'd like to have. I'll surely be doing this in the not too distant future, so how 'bout writing a tutorial on how to repair a steering column? Please? Pretty please?

[kramttocs]

Ok, you've got info I'd like to have. I'll surely be doing this in the not too distant future, so how 'bout writing a tutorial on how to repair a steering column? Please? Pretty please?

Most of my disassembly was videos but I'll do better putting it together and see about a 'how to build a steering column' thread :)

Good news though - I picked up the spare outer tube from the jy and set out with the plan to tear it apart today.

Fortunately there was no tearing needed.

Using my engine hoist (definitely not the first time it's been used to straighten something or pull something apart like this...) I tied straps to the top and bottom portions of the column.

Started jacking and simple as that they started to slide apart.

There is a plastic ring (can see the lip when assembled) that comes out and then there is a thicker metal ring that I am not going to try and take out.

After seeing there was nothing to it, did the same with the good one and got the same result.

Before doing anything I measured 3 different auto/tilt columns and two of them were the same and one was 1/4 different. Don't know why the difference as mine and the 1/4 were both 86's but I'll put mine back to the same length it was.

Tomorrow afternoon is supposed to be nice so may try to reblast and coat them then.

[Gary Lewis]

Most of my disassembly was videos but I'll do better putting it together and see about a 'how to build a steering column' thread :)

Good news though - I picked up the spare outer tube from the jy and set out with the plan to tear it apart today.

Fortunately there was no tearing needed.

Using my engine hoist (definitely not the first time it's been used to straighten something or pull something apart like this...) I tied straps to the top and bottom portions of the column.

Started jacking and simple as that they started to slide apart.

There is a plastic ring (can see the lip when assembled) that comes out and then there is a thicker metal ring that I am not going to try and take out.

After seeing there was nothing to it, did the same with the good one and got the same result.

Before doing anything I measured 3 different auto/tilt columns and two of them were the same and one was 1/4 different. Don't know why the difference as mine and the 1/4 were both 86's but I'll put mine back to the same length it was.

Tomorrow afternoon is supposed to be nice so may try to reblast and coat them then.

I like the use of the shop crane to pull them apart. I learned something new.

Yes, we need a thread, or maybe a page, that tells how to take them apart AND put them back together.

[grumpin]

I like the use of the shop crane to pull them apart. I learned something new.

Yes, we need a thread, or maybe a page, that tells how to take them apart AND put them back together.

Nice! Good thinking!

[kramttocs]

Nice! Good thinking!

Haha, I am glad to know that you guys are as impressed by the hoist 'reverse press' as I was the first time I tried it.

Turns out there is either some grease or glue (leaning towards assembly grease) between the thick metal collar and the tube that took a couple burn/blast cycles to get rid of but the main column is coated and back together.

I have started documenting the assembly process which should be able to be reversed fairly easily.

[Gary Lewis]

Haha, I am glad to know that you guys are as impressed by the hoist 'reverse press' as I was the first time I tried it.

Turns out there is either some grease or glue (leaning towards assembly grease) between the thick metal collar and the tube that took a couple burn/blast cycles to get rid of but the main column is coated and back together.

I have started documenting the assembly process which should be able to be reversed fairly easily.

That looks sooooo good! I'm sure glad you are ahead of me on this. I know I'm going to go through Big Blue's column to ensure its bearings/bushings are good, but then I'll go through Dad's to ensure it looks good AND has good bearings. Can't wait for the how-to.