Steering column Removal
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 338
Likes: 56
Steering column Removal
Hello to everyone. I am contemplating removal of my steering column ( 69 T&T ) to get the driver side dash out. I have read Jim Shea's paper which gives me some confidence that I can do the job.The paper mentions removing the bolts and separating the two sides of the rag joint (coupler). Is it also required to remove the pinch bolt and take the upper half of the coupler off of the steering column or will that side of the coupler fit thru the firewall opening. Hopefully this makes sense and thanks for the help.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 608
Likes: 64
From: Lake Villa,IL
Its actually a pretty easy job, surprisingly. Yes, you can split the rag joint. You don't have to take the half off of the shaft, it should fit through the firewall hole. Make sure you disconnect the electrical connections before removing. After that, its just a few bolts/nuts and it slides right out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Personally, I wouldn't split the coupler (rag joint). I'd remove the pinch bolt from the shaft and leave the coupler attached to the steering box. Mark the coupler and the box so you get it back into the same spot. I didn't mark mine and have had the column out 3 times to get the steering wheel and turn signal to set correctly.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 338
Likes: 56
Hi and thanks for your replies TimAT I will have to give some thought to just removing the pinch bolt and trying to separate the clamp part off the splines. when you say to mark the coupler and box did you mean the coupler and steering col. shaft that goes into the coupler? Thanks again to all the replies.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 3,985
From: Connecticut, USA
Don't put a lot of force into the rag or you will collapse the column. If you are going to replace or rebuild it ok but if you plan to reuse it then you may find later the rag isn't flat and is "S" bent.
If your box and column are correct the d-flat on the column will be facing the engine with the box at 12 o'clock where the box is at high lash- not center but that's a whole different explanation.
If your box and column are correct the d-flat on the column will be facing the engine with the box at 12 o'clock where the box is at high lash- not center but that's a whole different explanation.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Hi and thanks for your replies TimAT I will have to give some thought to just removing the pinch bolt and trying to separate the clamp part off the splines. when you say to mark the coupler and box did you mean the coupler and steering col. shaft that goes into the coupler? Thanks again to all the replies.
