Steering Column R&R


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By MoonShadow - 19 Years Ago
Hey guys,

I hope someone is on here now! I've taken the steering column out of my 56 Vicky but cannot get the shifting tube off of the turn signal coller. The shifting arm is off and I can see a long slot with a spring down in the hole it came out of.  Seems to have a spring button assembly through the turn signal collar and into the top of the shift arm (automatic). I've tried everything from finese to brute force (short of destruction) and can't seem to get it to budge. HELP! Chuck in NH

By pintoplumber - 19 Years Ago
Can't help you Chuck, but I am getting worried. Are you going to be done in time for Columbus?
By sundance241 - 19 Years Ago
Chuck,  I had mine out with no problem, but that was two years ago.  I think there was a clip or a pin of some sort..... Anyway I have another column out and will look tomorrow

....Sam

By MoonShadow - 19 Years Ago
No problem with Columbus.

I'm still waiting for my AOD transmission. The 3000 Stall converter has arrived. If all else fails I'll put the Fordomatic back in.

This column project was something else I've had for several years. It's a stainless steel tube with chrome attachments. Looks like I may have to do some fabricating as the stainless tube is a bit larger in diameter than the origional column. It's all cut and machined with all the right holes and notches but just too big around. I either have to have it turned down or fab up the upper column mount, the base clamp and the bottom shift lever mount (also holds the neutral safety switch. I can probably just hog them out with my grinder.

I just keep doing little stuff while I'm waiting. You can only reset the valves just so many times! Chuck in NH

By MoonShadow - 19 Years Ago
Well I finally got it apart. The collar that extends into the turn signal housing was stuck in the shifter shaft. It should have just pulled apart leaving that nub in the housing. I finally ground off the top edge that holds it into the housing. Once the two pieces were apart some WD40 and a little coaxing with some pliers and it popped right out. The spring assembly below it just fell out! I guess that is pressed down as the shift lever is installed to spring load the lever. My new housing has the collar already in it and it turns freely. That's what we get for fun with old cars! I'm sure all the guys that have just pulled these apart in the past thought I had lost my mind BUT it was frozen beyond hammer and drift! Oh well now do I enlarge the mounting brackets or have the shaft turned down to fit? Brackets are obviously the easy way. I don't know where I would find someone to cut down a 3' stainless steel tube and how much it would cost to do it. Thanks everyone for the advice.