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Author Topic: Do I have a complete steering section??  (Read 1529 times)

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Offline 78_starsky

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Do I have a complete steering section??
« on: June 29, 2010, 11:57:18 PM »
Hey all,  as you know if you have been following our build, we bought this car with the steering all tore apart. previous owner had a igintion key switch break on him 18 years ago and the car sat pretty much unmolested since then.  we had to get a few missing things over the last while.

see the pics and let me know if we are missing any more parts for the steering colom...  we were trying to get this together and feel now that there has to be something missing for it doesn't want to fall into place.

these are all the parts we have.

thanks.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n69/ru_ready_4_r_n_r/restofparts.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n69/ru_ready_4_r_n_r/underdashparts.jpg

This next pic is of the housing, after looking close at it I wondered if where the center piece is and where it looks like a flower is the next part we are missing,  as if another rod or tube is not here, for the shaft doesn't sit right on the colomn.   thanks

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n69/ru_ready_4_r_n_r/somethingmissing.jpg
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Offline dave1987

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Re: Do I have a complete steering section??
« Reply #1 on: June 30, 2010, 01:21:44 AM »
It is a little hard to tell due to the lighting of the second picture, but...

It appears that the column tube is installed backwards. That plastic part at the end of the tube holds the lower shaft bearing at the bottom of the tube, then at the other end (after you flip it around) you slide the plastic ring over the column, then the ignition switch assembly goes on.

The plastic sleeve is screwed onto the column at the other end by three short sheet metal screws (phillips), the ignition switch assembly is held on by two or three bolts that go in from the horn side, I think there are bolts on the other end. It's been awhile since I had mine disassembled, but I remember how it goes together!

From the horn side of the ignition switch assembly, where the shaft comes through, there should be a bearing in a rubber sleeve (I think I can see it from your last picture), this goes over the lower vertical ribs on the wheel end of the steering shaft. Inspect the ribs on the shaft to see if they are mashed flat or not. If they are, the upper shaft bearing (in the ignition switch assembly) won't press onto the shaft tightly and will cause an unbelievable amount of vibration when slowing down from freeway speeds (50 or higher), that's what mine was doing. If that's the case, you will need a new steering shaft. Here is a thread I started a few years ago when I had to fix mine:

http://www.fordpinto.com/index.php/topic,8070.0.html


BEFORE you put the steering shaft through the firewall, be sure you put the rubber cone boot on the inside of the firewall first of you will regret it when you feel air whooshing in on your feet!  :o
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1978 Ford Pinto Sedan - Family owned since new

Remembering Jeff Fitcher with every drive in my 78 Sedan.

I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

Offline 78_starsky

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Re: Do I have a complete steering section??
« Reply #2 on: June 30, 2010, 10:40:30 AM »
"It appears that the column tube is installed backwards. That plastic part at the end of the tube holds the lower shaft bearing at the bottom of the tube, then at the other end (after you flip it around) you slide the plastic ring over the column, then the ignition switch assembly goes on."

Hi dave,  ok  i am a bit lost on how I could have the "tube" backwards, for the bolts that hold the tube in place all line up and they bolt in proper.  if I was to flip it wouldn't the tube extend too far into the driver's seat?  I understand the bearing being on the bottom section (this makes sence) however, the ignition switch assembly almost needs a secondary tube/part to hold it together. The ignition rod is suspended in air as I tried to set it up.   is it possible that the tube is pushed too far forwards and needs to be pulled out towards the drivers seat?

thanks  i am a bit lost on this assembly being that I didn't take it apart, and my books don't show a good picture of how this goes together.  I will take a couple more pics of how it is sitting to show better the way it is sitting.
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Offline dave1987

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Re: Do I have a complete steering section??
« Reply #3 on: June 30, 2010, 01:00:17 PM »
I don't remember if it can be pulled out just by loosening things or not, but the tube isn't coming out of the dash far enough.

I wonder if the tube was cut by the PO?

Here is how it should look once it's all assembled....
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1978 Ford Pinto Sedan - Family owned since new

Remembering Jeff Fitcher with every drive in my 78 Sedan.

I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

Offline 78_starsky

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Re: Do I have a complete steering section??
« Reply #4 on: June 30, 2010, 10:40:06 PM »
Hi Dave,  i took a fresh new look at the problem today,  and after thinking about what you said about being backwards... well yeppers,  it was in front to back.  took it apart and reset it proper.   thanks  I think this is looking better :)

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n69/ru_ready_4_r_n_r/steeringcolumn.jpg
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Offline dave1987

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Re: Do I have a complete steering section??
« Reply #5 on: July 01, 2010, 01:57:59 AM »
Beautiful! Glad I could help! :)

The car looks better with every picture you post of it! :D
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1978 Ford Pinto Sedan - Family owned since new

Remembering Jeff Fitcher with every drive in my 78 Sedan.

I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

Offline 78_starsky

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Re: Do I have a complete steering section??
« Reply #6 on: July 01, 2010, 02:14:00 AM »
Thanks for the help,  it was funny after it went together i was chuckling to myself about how funny it is when you don't know what is proper and then the answer is so plain as in just try turning it around....LOL

ya I have to agree it is starting to look interesting now.  this is actually turning into a speed build (or i mean it is going at a good pace).  coming along in good time.
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Offline dave1987

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Re: Do I have a complete steering section??
« Reply #7 on: July 01, 2010, 02:18:47 AM »
You mean I didn't have to type all of that and just had to say "flip the column around!"?!?!?!? DOH! :lol: Just kidding! :) :D

Hopefully the rest of the post will help you out somewhere. :)
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1978 Ford Pinto Sedan - Family owned since new

Remembering Jeff Fitcher with every drive in my 78 Sedan.

I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

Offline 78_starsky

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Re: Do I have a complete steering section??
« Reply #8 on: July 01, 2010, 02:22:59 AM »
oh come on now and tell the truth,...  you needed the typing practise  :)   no,  that was great info,  as I said  I thought about it and wham was hit in the head with DUH...

lol
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