I can’t figure out for the life of me! Steering column

[1970 HP 302]

First of all I always thought that 67 to 72 f-100 parts all bolted up for the most part. But I’m seeing that it’s 64 to 70 for steering column and mid year 70 to 72. I have a 71. Other than that question I can’t figure out for the life of me how to put my column back together. Idk if I have all the parts or not, I have a 71 302 F100 2wd 4 speed. The T18 4 speed on the floor. no power steering .. I have the upper bearing and lower bearing and the 2 plastic caps. Is that all I need? Someone said something about a retainer but I’m not sure if 1 I need it and 2 where it goes in the column! Thanks for your help if you can! I can take pictures of what I have as far as the column components goes if that would help you help me

[MAK]

Have you seen the tech articles on the site’s main Tech page?
http://fordification.com/tech/3spd-column_01.htm This also has schematics for both the 3 speed manual and automatic column.

[1970 HP 302]

Mak, thanks for the reply! But I have a 4 speed on the floor. The T18 4 speed would that make a difference in what’s inside the column and how the parts go inside?

[MAK]

Try this:
http://fordification.com/tech/schematics_c.htm

[1970 HP 302]

Haha idk if I have bad luck or what but a 2wd 4 speed isn’t on that list

[sargentrs]

So do you have, or ever had, a shifter on the column? If not, it's about as simple as it gets. This might help you with the column bearings and retainers. http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... hp?t=72274

[1970 HP 302]

I read your thread and was looking at your pictures of your steering column build yesterday. Is your 3 on the tree set up the same as a 4 on the floor though? As far as the internals go? I have the upper bearing and lower bearing and the plastic caps Am I missing anything?

[390FE1972]

Not sure if this will help any, but there are some references to 2WD 4 speed parts here:

http://www.fordification.com/partnos/st ... column.htm

Regards

[sargentrs]

You didn't answer my original question. Did your truck originally have a shifter on the column or is it what is called a "blank" shift collar with no provision for a shifter? Do you have shift levers on the bottom of your column? Do you have a shift tube inside your column? Maybe you could post some photos of the area that's confusing you?

I'm not familiar with the 4spd setup but I can't imagine the bearings/retainers would be that different. The steering shaft is captured between the rag joint and the tube flange by the upper/lower bearings, the cone shaped retainers, the retainer clamp on the bottom and the steering wheel nut on the top. You slide the lower retainer clamp, lower column seal washers (steel and felt) and the retainer cone on the shaft. Slide the shaft up from the bottom of the column up through the column housing and the upper tube flange. Bolt the bottom of the shaft to the rag joint. Pull up at the top of the shaft to remove any slack and slide the upper bearing retainer cone in the bearing, tap it in gently, to hold the shaft in place. At the bottom of the column, slide the lower bearing retainer cone into the bearing securely. Slide the seal washers up to close off the column bearing from contamination. Slide the retainer clamp up against the washers and snug it down. Recheck your upper column bearing retainer cone and make sure it's secure. Slide on the steering wheel spring. Install the steering wheel and tighten the nut firmly. Recheck your lower column bearing to make sure everything is pushed up snug against the lower column bearing. Tighten the clamp securely. Go back up to the top, remove your steering wheel again, tap the upper column bearing until it is firmly seated. Reinstall your steering wheel.

[1970 HP 302]

No I dont think it was ever a 3 on the tree... I've had the truck 11 years and everything I've ever known about it is a 4 speed, previous owner also. So I have 3 pictures here, the one with my hand in it I'm wondering what if anything goes inbetween the retainer and that white plastic piece.... Also in the other picture is all of the parts that I have, I'm wondering if I have all of them, the only one thats missing is the bottom bearings because I already have that one in the column itself already shown in the other picture. Thank you for your help guys!

[sargentrs]

That's about all there is to it. The steel washer in that bag is the seal washer I was referring to. It goes between the clamp and the bearing cone. It's purpose is to provide upward force from the clamp to insure the bearing cone stays firmly in place. It is placed with the embossed dimple's raised side against the cone and the recessed side toward the bottom of the shaft. Sometimes they have a felt washer attached/separate https://www.carolina-classics.com/36-st ... column?p=2

SealWasherFelt.JPG

You can substitute one from your local parts store that usually comes with an oil pan drain plug washer kit. Not absolutely necessary but does help eliminate contamination of the lower bearing.

[1970 HP 302]

You’re a life saver Sarge! Thanks a lot sir. Really. Thanks for the help!

[sargentrs]

My pleasure! Hope that gets you back together. Let us know when you get it installed.

[1970 HP 302]

Okay I got the column all back together and it seems tight and in great shape! Next I was installing it and this just does not look right! I have a manual steering box here and this column is for a a manual steering box but on the flange where the collumn connects to the steering box on my old one where the bearings are falling out "why I rebuilt the column" I have those studs on there and this new steering box I have doesnt have those... Would it be okay to install the column like this or do I need a new flange or new steering gear?? The picture with the bearings falling out is a power steering steering box, I got tired of all the winding and maintanance so I went back to manual steering..

[Ranchero50]

The steering shaft needs to be in the center of the column. Do that by loosening the flange bolts at the firewall.

Ford got away from the lower bearing because as the cab mounts or rubbers settled the steering would bind and cut the shaft like yours shows. I tossed the lower bearing on mine and the steering box maintains the alignment. You need the studs on the rubber to do that, not a stack of nuts on a bolt. Now that you are manual you need to get this working correctly. If the rubber wants to deflect, loosen the column up and adjust it so the rubber is flat.