Help with steering knuckle/steering column
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 39
From: Walton KY
Help with steering knuckle/steering column
I am driving from KY to FL to pick up a '76 L-48 coupe. The key is missing right now and the front wheels are turned. I'll need to push her up on the trailer and if we don't find the key I plan on disconnecting the steering knuckle from the column. Would anyone know what size nut and bolt used for this? I'm trying to keep from taking a whole bunch of wrenches with us.
Thanks
,
Lee
Thanks
,Lee
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
That really will not work well due to you will not be able to get them far enough apart so the steering column is not a concern. I would remove the power steering control valve from the pitman arm myself.
If you are set on doing the column way...
7/16" 12 point socket for the flange at the column....and 9/16" sockets/wrenches for the two nut assemblies. You have to be careful if you plan on sliding the flange back far enough to get the column free spinning. BECAUSE you can know the main shaft of the column inwards and actually collapse it....and/or damage the plastic knuckle where the column tilts. It is not made to be beaten to death.
There is a tool you can buy from Harbor Freight that will allow you to separate the pitman arm from the power steering control vale rather easy....as long as you can get it SAFELY up in the air a little bit.
DUB
If you are set on doing the column way...
7/16" 12 point socket for the flange at the column....and 9/16" sockets/wrenches for the two nut assemblies. You have to be careful if you plan on sliding the flange back far enough to get the column free spinning. BECAUSE you can know the main shaft of the column inwards and actually collapse it....and/or damage the plastic knuckle where the column tilts. It is not made to be beaten to death.
There is a tool you can buy from Harbor Freight that will allow you to separate the pitman arm from the power steering control vale rather easy....as long as you can get it SAFELY up in the air a little bit.
DUB
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
He could just pull the column... Pull the lower column cover, pull the two bolts out of the main support, disconnect the turn signal switch and then remove nut and carriage head bolt from the firewall... remove the bolt from the coupling and the column comes out. Yes it is that easy...
You will have to disconnect the inter-locking cable from the engine compartment too.. not pictured but you'll find it.
Willcox
You will have to disconnect the inter-locking cable from the engine compartment too.. not pictured but you'll find it.
Willcox
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 39
From: Walton KY
Thank you both VERY much for your advice/help! Makes sense about not having enough free play to get them apart completely. I recall this now many years ago with my '73 Camaro Type LT.
Thanks again! I'll let you know how it goes...and of course if he finds the key all will be good.
Grateful,
Lee
Thanks again! I'll let you know how it goes...and of course if he finds the key all will be good.
Grateful,
Lee
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 205
Likes: 20
3/4" Forged Ball Joint Separator
I have used that tool and it works GREAT!
