Urgent! Steering column help! - Ford Muscle Forums : Ford Muscle Cars Tech Forum

classicfan1 · 01-17-2013, 01:02 PM

Ladies and gentleman, I just got word that the local boneyard will be crushing soon again and a 1972 Montego GT that I stripped out earlier is on the chopping block. I'm going back for two things I never got: the front fascia and the steering column. I'm having to cut the fascia off since the fenders are junk and the bolts are seized. I'll finish it off tomorrow. But I looked at the steering column and have no idea what to do. How can I remove this and remove it QUICK? As in, 2.5 hours quick?

Again, thanks for any help!

P.S. I'm also coming home with '54 Chevy parts, and some things from a '69 Mustang.

classicfan1 · 01-17-2013, 01:03 PM

I am going back TOMORROW!

FEandGoingBroke · 01-17-2013, 02:55 PM

4 bolts- one reg joint bolt- 6 screws- unplug T/S junk- yank it out.

That's what I'd do.....

Maybe a 3/8" socket, a phillips and a regular screwdriver, a 12 pt 7/16 socket (in case the rag joint bolt is 12 point, they sometimes are) Metric Crescent wrench, Hammer, Vice Grips Channel locks, Dykes or side cutters as I prefer to call them.

That should do ya.

classicfan1 · 01-18-2013, 04:40 AM

Thanks! The steering wheel is locked and the key is long gone, so hopefully I can access the rag joint bolt...if not, I'll figure something out.

RAGGAREN · 01-18-2013, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicfan1

Thanks! The steering wheel is locked and the key is long gone, so hopefully I can access the rag joint bolt...if not, I'll figure something out.

unbolt steering colum inside first...that way you should be able to turn everything and get access to ragjoint bolt....

good luck....

KULTULZ · 01-18-2013, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FEandGoingBroke

4 bolts- one reg joint bolt- 6 screws- unplug T/S junk- yank it out.

That's what I'd do.....

Maybe a 3/8" socket, a phillips and a regular screwdriver, a 12 pt 7/16 socket (in case the rag joint bolt is 12 point, they sometimes are)

Metric Crescent wrench,

Hammer, Vice Grips Channel locks, Dykes or side cutters as I prefer to call them.

That should do ya.

A METRIC Crescent Wrench? I did not realize metric had a different calibration than SAE regarding an adjustable wrench.

...sheesh...

Now I have another set of wrenches I will have to buy...

BTW- The word Dyke is sexually insensitive. Please show more respect and acceptance.

FEandGoingBroke · 01-18-2013, 07:47 AM

Obviously I forgot that you are from WBGVA... I should have called it a Standard crescent wrench that opens to millimeter increments only... ;_ hehehe.

Oh and I also forgot to tell him what Lars told him... Unbolt from dash ans turn as you like to expose rag bolt.

KULTULZ · 01-18-2013, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FEandGoingBroke

Obviously I forgot that you are from WBGVA...

I should have called it a Standard crescent wrench that opens to millimeter increments only... ;_ hehehe.

DAMN!

That must be one special wrench. Does it come RH and LH?

It will go along well with your FMF CERTIFIED TORQUE RATED FINGER SPIN ABILITY...

KULTULZ · 01-18-2013, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FEandGoingBroke

Oh and I also forgot to tell him what Lars told him... Unbolt from dash ans turn as you like to expose rag bolt.

He must be one strong SOB to turn that column assembly with no PS and the wheels on the ground.

I would pay to see him chasing that steering wheel all over the front seat...

FEandGoingBroke · 01-18-2013, 11:08 AM

Kul..... Wrecking yard cars NEVER have the wheels on them anymore. Not unless the car went there in 79 and sat in the corner.... And they are always set up on blocks to maximize the chances for folks to get at parts they want and maximize profits......

And turning the whole column with wheels down and on the ground is as simple as pie. Boy oh boy you need to get in the field again.

Besides that, cruisin63 guy is 7' -14 1/2" tall and 470 lbs. He don't even need to use a wrench!

KULTULZ · 01-18-2013, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FEandGoingBroke

Kul..... Wrecking yard cars NEVER have the wheels on them anymore. Not unless the car went there in 79 and sat in the corner.... And they are always set up on blocks to maximize the chances for folks to get at parts they want and maximize profits......

I keep forgetting THE WORLD ACCORDING TO F. Maybe they also have it sitting in the garage on stands too...

Quote:

And turning the whole column with wheels down and on the ground is as simple as pie.

Yes, the column will be fairly easy to turn. It is the steering shaft he might have a little trouble with.

I think I will stay out of the field as it is highly possible I would run into guys that are a little out of it and might get hurt.

classicfan1 · 01-18-2013, 03:16 PM

Well, It wouldn't budge. I tried everything. This car's tires are flat and the suspension is shot so its sorta sunk in the ground - there's no turning that! There are two rag joint bolts, one is facing the ground. I'm not going to jack up this rusty thing and risk killing myself for a part thats not that rare. As well pulled the front bumper and fascia off, we realized that even the chassis is full of rust holes. I stripped this sucker clean of everything else so that should be good enough.

I also picked some stuff up for a '54 Chevy Bel-Air as well.

Sorry to disappoint, but thanks for the help anyway!

FEandGoingBroke · 01-18-2013, 04:08 PM

I thought he said this car was in a crap yard getting ready to be scrapped.... My bad for thinking.... WHat a wimp that can't unbolt the column and twist it a little. simple schmimple. and at seven foot fourteen and a half inches you should be tougher.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

DAMN!

That must be one special wrench. Does it come RH and LH?

It will go along well with your FMF CERTIFIED TORQUE RATED FINGER SPIN ABILITY...

Oh no, not in this economy, all the supplier have been able to put out this year are the left handed standard SAE crescent wrenches that only open in mm increments...

I know, the times are tough, but sometime we gotta take it as it comes.

FEandGoingBroke · 01-18-2013, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicfan1

Well, It wouldn't budge. I tried everything. This car's tires are flat and the suspension is shot so its sorta sunk in the ground - there's no turning that! There are two rag joint bolts, one is facing the ground. I'm not going to jack up this rusty thing and risk killing myself for a part thats not that rare. As well pulled the front bumper and fascia off, we realized that even the chassis is full of rust holes. I stripped this sucker clean of everything else so that should be good enough.

I also picked some stuff up for a '54 Chevy Bel-Air as well.

Sorry to disappoint, but thanks for the help anyway!

Wait a second. the friggin column unbolted gives you NO movement? You are missing something.

I've never seen a car that you can't turn the wheel on no matter how far in the dirt it was stuck. P/S or not! something else was amiss.

classicfan1 · 01-18-2013, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FEandGoingBroke

Wait a second. the friggin column unbolted gives you NO movement? You are missing something.

I've never seen a car that you can't turn the wheel on no matter how far in the dirt it was stuck. P/S or not! something else was amiss.

I even took the turn signal cover off to try and jimmy the anti-theft lock (didn't know they had those in '72) and I couldn't pull it out enough to see what I was doing. Sorry to disappoint.