Tilt Steering Column
 

I was wondering how to separate turn signal housing and shifter lever housing from a steering shaft on a 71 automatic column shift tilt steering wheel? Thanks in advance.

Rick, I can't answer the question but how have you been? Cold winter , huh?

Hey Jeff
 

I was just heading to the phone to call you, a buddy of mine came across a tilt steering wheel but column shift and I wanted to convert to a floor shift. Can't seem to get the damn thing apart. Have been done with my project for some time, just upgrading a bit, while I have you right here, I would like to have you keep an eye out for bucket seats with brackets.....It's beem a damn cold winter here, I don't think spring wants to come either..how have you been and hope you haven't had to take too many parts off..lol.

What style buckets are you looking for? 67-68 or 69-72? The 69-72 are more plentiful and in general cheaper. I'm out of the parts biz for many reasons, time being the primary one. Too bad you didn't inquire about buckets last fall when I unloaded 2 sets of 69-72 style. I have one 67-68 style left but they are going into the 67 project I have left.

My e-mail is jjesseman@adelphia.net if you want to get in touch.

Try the parts board for buckets. I see them on there from time-to-time.

If I remember right the turn signal housing presses on. after removing the tilt & turn levers you can tap it off using a soft or wood punch. You will have to remove the shift lever and shaft to get to the bolts hidden by the shaft under the tilt joint. I cant remember all the steps but this may help, good luck.

With the steering wheel removed, start by removing the tilt lever, turn signal lever, shift indicator, shift indicator housing, light and flasher knob. I work on the columns out of the vehicle.

The cover for the turn signals is pressed on.It can be removed using a small screw driver and hammer, tapping lightly on the bottom lip to push it off.

Remove the turn signal by removing the three screws. I usually pull it so far out until it clears the shaft and let it hang, because getting the wires out with the plug on it is almost impossible. (Of course you will need to unplug the connector and remove the wire shield first).

To remove the tilt housing, insert the tilt lever and tilt the housing to full up. Remove the tilt assist spring by using a large phillips screw driver and insert it into the square hole of the spring retainer. Push the retainer in and turn 1/4 turn either way and remove, (note there will be spring tension on the retainer).

Disconnect the lower end of the shaft and clean it off as it will have to slide through the lower bearing. Remove the tilt trunions by screwing in an 8-32x1/2" screw into each one to pull on. Usually a claw hammer will pull them out, but I have had to set up a slide hammer on the stubborn ones.

Once the trunions are out, activate the tilt lever to release the top and pull the assembly out. Remove the turn signal and wiring as you pull it out.

Once the shaft and tilt housing are out, remove the tilt housing to column bracket, ( four screws). Remove the shift lever by driving the pin out. Remove the shift housing retaining clip and pull the housing off of the shift tube. Most of the time it is difficult to get the shift housing off of the shift tube, so I use an aluminum driver to drive the tube out of the housing. To get clearance at the bottom it is necessary to remove the lower bearing and retainer.

Hopefully I have not skipped a step.

Good luck!

Jim