Update on steering column repair

black97lsc

black97lsc

Registered
As I posted on Monday, I repaired my telescoping steering wheel. It was loose to the point where I could move it side to side about an inch either way. I searched on here and it appeared that the plastic piece that holds the ball bearings in place so that it can move in and out had cracked, but when I disassembled it, I didn't have anything cracked. For whatever reason, the plastic piece had just popped out of the track. I took it apart, put it all together again and everything is nice and tight again. I took a few pictures in case anyone needs it for reference.

http://www.lincolnsclub.org/forum/user_files/1176.jpg


http://www.lincolnsclub.org/forum/user_files/1177.jpg


http://www.lincolnsclub.org/forum/user_files/1178.jpg
 
RE: Update on steering column repair

Also, when you disconnect the steering shaft, DO NOT turn the steering wheel. If you do, you will likely be buying a new air bag "clockspring" like i had to do.
 
RE: Update on steering column repair

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
Also, when you disconnect the steering shaft, DO NOT turn the steering wheel. If you do, you will likely be buying a new air bag "clockspring" like i had to do.
[/div]

I didn't know that, I'm sure my steering wheel spun a few times before I got it out. Did your air bag go off or does it simple not work anymore???? I did unplug the battery.
 
RE: Update on steering column repair

If you turn it too far in one direction it won't work and the airbag light will come on. It won't go off (shouldn't, at least). There's probably a margin of error, if you turned it just once in either direction you might be okay. If you can turn the wheel all the way lock to lock and your airbag light doesn't come on, you're good.

I would make it a habit of tying the wheel to the shifter with a wire or something, whenever unhooking the steering shaft.
 
RE: Update on steering column repair

Good idea on tyong the wheel to the shifter, Dave.
I haven't noticed any problems and the airbag light has not come on, just the normal second or two its on when I start the car. I'll make sure to keep on eye on it. Thanks.
 
RE: Update on steering column repair

Yep that's what mine looked like. I just held my steering wheel while my neighbor did the necessary repairs. Mechanical skills -- bad; holding beer, now steering wheels -- good.:7
 
RE: Update on steering column repair

I purchased a 20k mile steering column on ebay, and installed it on my Mark today. Couple extra steps involved like steering wheel removal, airbag sliding contact - clockspring, multi-function switch, and electrical connector junction box assembly had to be moved to the new steering column, when you compare it to a column drop and repair.

Other than that, cake! - thanks to my manual, and postings from everyone. The r&r including the extra steps took me a couple hours taking my time. The column is now rock solid, and works as it should. Steering on the test drive is better than the original column, and returns to center better than before the switch.

One thing that I did before the install, was to remove the housing cover from the new column, and make sure everything looked ok. It did, and while putting the cover back on, and I began to torque the eight bolts, I was not able to torque two bolts to the 11 ft/lbs per the manual. So, I decided to use a metric thread repair kit and tap/coil all eight holes. It worked great, and was able to torque the bolts to spec.

I plan to now rebuild the original column, and keep it as a spare.
 
RE: Update on steering column repair

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
As I posted on Monday, I repaired my telescoping steering wheel. It was loose to the point where I could move it side to side about an inch either way. I searched on here and it appeared that the plastic piece that holds the ball bearings in place so that it can move in and out had cracked, but when I disassembled it, I didn't have anything cracked. For whatever reason, the plastic piece had just popped out of the track. I took it apart, put it all together again and everything is nice and tight again. I took a few pictures in case anyone needs it for reference.http://www.lincolnsclub.org/forum/u...ww.lincolnsclub.org/forum/user_files/1178.jpg
[/div]very nice tutorial, do you have anymore follow up pictures? Like what am I looking for here that may be loose? and what to do with it? thanks
 
RE: Update on steering column repair

ok here is where I am. I got everything in the above steps completed now I see this.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/mikecp421/lincoln/linc1.jpg


that piece is loose just sitting in the column so I put it aside, but the identical one seems jammed in the side, see pic


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/mikecp421/lincoln/linc2_1.jpg


and the last picture

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/mikecp421/lincoln/linc3.jpg


where do they beliong and do they fasten in?? Thanks
 
RE: Update on steering column repair

The belong in their corresponding channels in the alluminum housings. There should be small pins stoping the plastic slider spacer from 'sliding out'. There is nothing holding them in place though.

edit: you're missing a small white plastic spacer that goes in between them once it's all assembled. It's in the last pic in the original post.
 
RE: Update on steering column repair

I see, I dont have that part and now the steering wheel doesn't make the clanking metallic sound but it is still very loose up & down but much better overall.
 
RE: Update on steering column repair

Sorry, haven't been around for a while, but Jeremi is right. That's the part you need and it snaps into the aluminum channel inside the Steering housing. You can see a pic of it in my second post to this thread. My steering wheel is still tight since I repaired it last year.
 
RE: Update on steering column repair

ok I received that part,thanks man. Now you guys are saying this should solve my problem?
 
RE: Update on steering column repair

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
ok I received that part,thanks man. Now you guys are saying this should solve my problem?
[/div]

Not quite sure what your's was doing, but for me the whole steering column was loose. I could literally move it a few inches in either left or right. It was annoying and dangerous. Once I took it apart and put it back together with the aluminum tracks in place and the plastic clips with the bearing in, everything was nice and tight and I could once again move my steering wheel up and down, and in and out with the button.
 
RE: Update on steering column repair

yea mine is loose all around, up and down and left and right but by inches like you say. I will try it with this in it and see how that goes. I will report back, thanks again
 
RE: Update on steering column repair

received and installed that part above and they are both missing, I sent another payment for the second part. This definitely fixes the steering column movement. Also a nipple that holds the metal rod in the top was broken off so we fabricated one on there in the shop.
 
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