How to get the column out, 47pu

[Cautrell05]

Is there any semi easy way to get the steering column out? I need to pull the cab and front clip so I can get threusing the factory Not planning on reusing the factory column. Does not look like fun to be honest. thanks
Nick

[dwcsr]

Saws-all at the box where the tube goes in.

[MARTINSR]

Understand Nick that the column and the steering box comes out as an assembly. The column outer may unbolt at the box but the shaft doesn't, the part the steering wheel goes on is one piece all the way down into the box with the pinon gear on the end. They don't just "unbolt".

Brian

[dsraven]

yup, back in those days they didn't think of frontal impact. imagine that one......
on my buddies truck we removed the wheel and signal switch etc, then unbolted the box and linkage and pulled it out through the floor. you kinda need more than 1 person for that job anyway unless you have a lift.

[sleepindawg]

1) Pull the steering wheel.
2) Remove add-on signals if you have them.
3) Remove shifter lever (three on the tree) and all corresponding mechanical hardware.
4) Clip horn wire leaving plenty to work with later if needed.
5) Remove the steering shaft support from bottom edge of dash.
6) Remove support plate at the fire wall.
7) Remove front sheet metal.
8) Remove any shifting linkage (three on the tree) you may have on the column.
9) Remove pitman arm.
10) Remove the four mounting bolts holding the steering box to the frame.
11) Slip steering column out of cab by holding steering box and moving towards front of frame.

Pretty simple actually. The hardest part is them damned square nuts up under the curl of the dash that secures the steering shaft support.

Tim

[dsraven]

yup, thats what we had to do. it is easy just time consuming.you will need a couple of pullers as well.

[joedoh]

if you are not selling or keeping the original column, there is a faster way than a sawzall, which I dont even think could cut the steering shaft if it was still in there. if you remove the steering shaft first, a sawzall will work.

I have a 6" metabo angle grinder with a cut off wheel, cut through inside the cab and outside the cab, steering shaft and all. bobs your uncle. took maybe 5 minutes, unbolted nothing.

I will say some people should not use cut off wheels in grinders. if you are using one, make sure you have gloves, long sleeves (but not loose long sleeves), and a full face shield with a backwards ballcap. cut off wheels need to be used so as to cut perfectly straight, if you twist or angle they will explode and the pieces will happily ventilate your body.

used correctly though, a cut off wheel in an angle grinder is a very satisfying medieval tool, bzz bzz bzz. you can really get some stuff dismantled quickly. I used it for every rusted fastener I have ever encountered, and have taken off scores of running board brackets (even the front ones that are encapsulated in the body mounts that have to be removed first). I had the closed driveline the first few feet on my 3600, spend time unbolting those 65 year old bolts caked in 65 year old effluent? nope. zing, right through tube and shaft. done. then I cut up the frame with it.

[sleepindawg]

joedoh, how do you remove the steering shaft first?

[joedoh]

I dont know, I was saying a sawzall is not the right tool to cut the shaft, it would take forever, but if it were just the tube it would be ok. sorry for the confusion

[mr48chev]

That shaft isn't hardened steel and a sawzall should cut through it fine. As for cutting it off or pulling it tctuallhat all depends on if you see any resale value in the old box. They don't bring that much anyhow but they would be real hard to sell with the shaft and column cut off.

Actually the only effort you are saving by cutting it is the actual wiggling the whole length out of the cab if you have tight quarters but unbolted from the frame you an leave the column in the cab and lift it off the frame and then deal with it

This is a cab out in my yard that I pulled off a 1-1/2 ton truck that I bought for the cab and cut the truck up in place as the frame had too much junk welded on it to make it worth trying to use it for anything.

[joedoh]

the old saying is engineers will speculate for an hour about the supposed outcome of a 5 minute test. Ive done it twice in the last year with a cut off wheel and dont think I spent 5 minutes on both. if the sawzall works as good, thats something you can test

[mr48chev]

They can be cut off in about 10 minutes with a good hack saw if you have the nose off

It all comes down to if he wants to keep the box and column intact for reuse for someone else or another project or just scrap it.

As for what tool you use to cut one off it all boils down to what tool (s) you have to pick from in your cutting tool collection. Some of us have our choice of sawzalls, angle grinders with cut off disks, and a good hacksaw. Others might have to go to the hardware store to get a new blade for their grandpa's old hacksaw as it is the only thing that they have in the tool box that they could use. Thinking back, I was over 40 before my dad bought me my sawzall that I still use for a birthday present. It was about the same time that I bought my first angle grinder. Before that everything that I cut at home got cut with a hacksaw.

[MARTINSR]

I shortened my column when I was 17, cut it with a hack saw. Shortened the tube, gas welded it back together beautiful. Shortened the shaft and made a sleeve for it and took it to a welding shop in town to have him TIG it.

I still have it, plan on using it again.

Brian

[1-ton of fun]

i used an o/a torch. may not have been as fast as a grinder due to setup time, but it worked great! sliced right through the whole thing

[54 LS-3100]

A 4.5" grinder will slice it like butter. After 2 weeks, heat, and a can of PB blaster, I couldn't get the steering wheel off. Threw the death wheel at it and 15 seconds later it was done.

[Cautrell05]

Thanks guys. Gives me some ideas to try.

Nick

[dsraven]

To get the wheel or pitman arm off, penetrating oil, a puller and a good hard hit on the end of the puller once it is suckef up tight almost always works for me. That said, if you are not going to use the old stuff, and no local buyers, and no plans for ebay or the like. Cut the stupid thing off with whatever you have and carry on. No use overthinking things right?

[Cautrell05]

Sawzall, new blade, less than 30 seconds. Honest.



Nick

[joedoh]

nice work!

that block could use another marvel mystery socking but I think it could turn

[Cautrell05]

Yea but if it turns then I won't have a parking brake