Reassembling the steering column

[JR]

So I guess I should have installed the little plastic damnit that goes under the steering column and holds the horn contact before I installedd the dash. @#$$@$^&^%$^. Any alternative to removing winshield and removing dash? Of course the steering column is installed with shear head bolts

[Guest Anonymous]

The dash should not affect installation of that part. You should be able to remove/install that part with the dash in place.

shermanmartinez@hotmail.com

[Harv]

Doesent the steering box hold the steering shaft in the colum?

John

[JR]

Yeah the 30+ yr old plastic will flex enough for the ignition key opening to slip past the edge of the dash. Glad it did not break

[john_a]

Doesent the steering box hold the steering shaft in the colum?

John

The steering column shaft is retained in the column tube at the top, where the four screws hold the retainer plate above the spindle bearing.

Take the retainer plate off, then pry the shaft & spindle bearing out of the tube(yes, you do have to separate the lower end of the shaft from the flex joint flange above the steering box to pull the shaft out.)

[john_a]

this picture was supposed to go with the message above

[Harv]

I'll have to look but I think my car was missing that piece. Anyone got an extra?

John

[gabestr]

I don't think my '71 had the retaining plate either.

2 questions.

How do I remove the ring (#7 in the pic)? I am really stuck, but maybe I just need to try to drive it off harder?

How can the ignition switch be removed? And doesn't it usually come complete with the steering lock?

Thanks,

Gabe