Steering Column Gap

[EasyE]

I've been reading through the steering tech articles and doing some research online, and I'm having a hard time figuring out what I've got going on with my steering column. The truck is a 1967 F100 that had an FMX in it when I got it and the steering column has the shift lever on it. It also had power steering.

See pics in imgur album here: https://imgur.com/a/wBQkK

I've since converted it to a floor shifted manual and want to get rid of the gap and remove the shifter lever/collar.

Can anyone tell my why there is a gap between the wheel hub and the turn signal stalk? What parts do I need to get rid of that gap? Also, what part (or parts) do I need to remove the shifter level/collar?

Thanks.

[cep62]

For starters you have an aftermarket wheel .
If you get the stock wheel and you have a gap it's usually because the cab mounts settled and its pushing up on the shaft.

http://www.fordification.com/tech/3spd-column_01.htm
this is a manual column , but it should show enough to get it apart.

[EasyE]

So the wheel could be part of it.

Since the column is out of the truck, you're saying that the shaft may have been pushed up? So could I just take it and push it back down?

[sargentrs]

...the shaft may have been pushed up? So could I just take it and push it back down?

Yes. From the pic it's shoved up in there. Should be at least 3"-6" from the end of the column housing to the rag joint end. See the photos at the top of this page. http://www.fordification.com/tech/steering-column.htm

[EasyE]

Thanks much. I'll try knocking it back down. If that works that solves one of my problems.

[sargentrs]

I wouldn't till I was ready to put it back in the truck. Leave it free to slide for now. Make sure you have the upper and lower column bearings greased well. The way this works is you set the column back in the truck and bolt it to the rag joint. There are 2 retainer cones at the upper and lower column bearings. Leave those in place but loose for now. Bolt the column under the dash leaving the 2 bolts that hold it in place loose enough to slide. Set your steering wheel in place and make sure it's sitting as firmly seated as possible. You might even have to install the nut and tighten it down. Mark or measure where the back of the wheel is in relation to the dash. Remove the steering wheel and loosen the upper retaining cone so the column can slide. Grab the column body tightly and pull up on the housing to set the gap at the back of the steering wheel. Tighten down the bolts under the dash. Reinstall the steering wheel and check the gap. If satisifed, slide the lower column bearing retainer cone up into the lower column bearing. Slide the lower bearing clamp up firmly against the cone and bearing and tighten it in place. Slide the rubber firewall boot down to the firewall. Install the inner and outer firewall plates.