Help with a tilt column rebuild

[Steve Cole]

What holds this on? I have tried gear pullers but it's not budging. Everything on the outside has been removed, anything on the inside need to come out first? Thanks.

[FirstOwner69]

It's held on by friction and perhaps a bit of corrosion. I made a puller to assist in removal, but I don't have a picture of it, nor do I have access to it. Try shooting a little PB Blaster or some such lubricant between the collar and hub and tap lightly around the circumference with a rubber mallet as you try to pull it off. I've seen some other threads where folks have suggested using a screwdriver and hammer at the bottom edge to tap it off. I'd be a bit reluctant to risk that however. I have a few threads I've bookmarked if you want me to post them.

[Steve Cole]

Got it ! Just needed a little more "persuading". Thanks!

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by Steve Cole

Got it ! Just needed a little more "persuading". Thanks!

What are you doing- bearings?

[Steve Cole]

Originally Posted by NC_John

What are you doing- bearings?

Among other things, rebuilding my tilt column.

[hugger6933]

For those of you that may read this in a later search on how to remove the upper column collar, Kent Moore does make a tool for it that nobody can ever seem to find. But I used one of my little picks [you know kinda like the ones the dentist use to pick around in your mouth] and go around the line where the bottom of the collar is pressed on to the tilt portion of the column. That helped a tremendous amount towards loosening the collar then I was able to gently pry upwards on it with two small pry bars or medium screwdrivers. Also it does help to spray some lubricant on the inside around the collar just before the start of the prying. The pick will help most cause it takes grease and dirt away. Like a lot of things once it starts to move it will pop right off. To install a small block of wood and a little hammer will drive it back to its resting place nicely. That makes changing the turn signal switch so much easier to have this little bit of info tucked back in your mind. Jim

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by Steve Cole

Among other things, rebuilding my tilt column.

I mean for your column rebuild - you are changing the bearings and doing what else? Is there anything else?

[Steve Cole]

Don't know yet John, I'll figure that out when I get it all apart. The lower bearings looked good, just needed cleaning and re-packing. I'm not very far along with the process yet.

The bearings, retainer, and switch/wire harness along with new rubber seals seem to be common replacement items