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- Mar 10, 2010
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- Hanover, Pennslyvania
Found some time this afternoon to install the steering column. It's been sitting in the house for awhile and I was always afraid it was going to get damaged.
First I had to install the brake light switch and bracket. There's a copper coating on this bracket. I didn't even clean it.
In order to keep the shaft centered in the column or tube, I used three pieces of wood inside. 1/2"x 1" and around 3" long. They will support the shaft because the so called bearing mounted in rubber is almost too flexible to keep it centered during installation. I also glued the foam insulation to the plate so I don't have to wrestle with that.
Placing the column through the firewall, I can see the steering box and shaft. Make contact with it but dont push the coupler on too far. I used a rubber strap to support the column while I go and line up the coupler. It will allow column to move in and out.
Lining up the splines in the coupler. There is a notch in the coupler and a larger groove in the steering box shaft.
The coupler when installed should be 13/16" from the guage hole.
Once you have the coupler in place then you can line up and tighten the bracket under the dash.
Now with those blocks inside the column, the firewall plate will be lined up for you. Otherwise the tube would be off centered. Go ahead and install the hardware for the plate, then remove the blocks.
You have to have the shaft centered in the tube as close as possible so there is no strain on the rubber/bearing seal.
I installed the turn signal leaver last. Next I'll clean up the steering wheel and horn button so that can be installed.
First I had to install the brake light switch and bracket. There's a copper coating on this bracket. I didn't even clean it.
In order to keep the shaft centered in the column or tube, I used three pieces of wood inside. 1/2"x 1" and around 3" long. They will support the shaft because the so called bearing mounted in rubber is almost too flexible to keep it centered during installation. I also glued the foam insulation to the plate so I don't have to wrestle with that.
Placing the column through the firewall, I can see the steering box and shaft. Make contact with it but dont push the coupler on too far. I used a rubber strap to support the column while I go and line up the coupler. It will allow column to move in and out.
Lining up the splines in the coupler. There is a notch in the coupler and a larger groove in the steering box shaft.
The coupler when installed should be 13/16" from the guage hole.
Once you have the coupler in place then you can line up and tighten the bracket under the dash.
Now with those blocks inside the column, the firewall plate will be lined up for you. Otherwise the tube would be off centered. Go ahead and install the hardware for the plate, then remove the blocks.
You have to have the shaft centered in the tube as close as possible so there is no strain on the rubber/bearing seal.
I installed the turn signal leaver last. Next I'll clean up the steering wheel and horn button so that can be installed.
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