dropping steering column
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 194
Likes: 47
dropping steering column
I'm trying to drop my 81 steering column to help with removal of my dash cluster. I removed the 2 bolts that go straight up and the 2 nuts that hold a bracket to the firewall right behind the brake pedal. The column just doesn't want to drop down. Am I missing 2 more bolts or nuts somewhere. I can't remove that bracket mounted to the firewall with those 2 nuts off. Been on so long it must be glued on. I just need column to drop a couple of inches. Thanks for any help.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 724
Likes: 112
From: Austin TX area
I've dropped/lower the column a number of time on my 78. Unless 81 is different, I just loosened the two bolt that clamp the column up into the dash section. In fact my first project when I got the car was to replace all the bulbs in the dash, all I did is lower just enough to get the cluster out. Do you have an AIM? That would show you a break down of the assembly.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,907
Likes: 4,479
From: Virginia
For anyone playing at home, it was absolutely the correct thing to loosen the nuts on the firewall that hold the horseshoe collar. Not doing that will endanger your lower column bushing.
But once those, and the two bolts under the dash are free, that should be it.
I found a PO had rewired something, and my column was trapped by some wiring, which I had to cut and resplice. But yours isn't even getting that far?
But once those, and the two bolts under the dash are free, that should be it.
I found a PO had rewired something, and my column was trapped by some wiring, which I had to cut and resplice. But yours isn't even getting that far?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,319
Likes: 720
From: Marietta GA
Once you remove the bolts at the rubber shield (on the inside of the fire wall) use a sturdy card board box to support the steering column, you don’t want it to hang. When you go the put the bolts that go through the firewall on, you need to make sure the ring plate under the hood is oriented correctly. Taking pictures of all parts/pieces before removal is the best thing I have learned. Also use old pill bottles with labels for all bolts and screws, at my age it doesn’t take very long for me to forget which screw/bolt goes where. Be gentle with all plastic/fiberglass parts, and if your model year has the column parts covered with Very Very Old Vinyl.
