broken ignition/column - Off-Road Forums & Discussion Groups

bucknbronc · #1 10-22-2003, 08:23 PM

I been using a screw driver for the ignition box to start my truck. The key switch was catching one day then it just got all loose and the rod wasn't moving, so something broke in the column that go's from the key switch to the rod.
I went to the ford dealership and the guy showed me what part it is, it's made from cheap pot metal.My question is how hard it this to replace? I have a steering wheel puller, and I also have to replace the turn signal switch.

#2 10-25-2003, 08:33 PM

Do you have tilt steering? That’s the only ones I have heard of having problems.

I changed the same thing out last week it took about twenty minutes and about nine dollars for the part.

First you have to remove your steering wheel and turn signal lever. Then you will have remove the key cylinder, a few screws that hold the turn signal switch and a few screws that hold the cover on the steering column, it pulls straight off. Next, you will have to pull the snap ring off of the steering shaft. The pivot points of the tilt steering are pins that are threaded on the inside. Screw a machine screw into that pin and pull them out.

That’s about all there is to it.

bucknbronc · #3 10-31-2003, 10:08 PM

I have tilt. Did you use any special tools? Dealership wants $200 to fix it, they told me I need special tools, to pull snap-ring, ect... [img]images/graemlins/chair.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/cussing.gif[/img]

BigNorm · #4 11-01-2003, 02:11 AM

I'm wondering how much it would cost to just go to the bone yard and pull the whole collumn. Aw the hell with it you can have the collumn off the parts truck if you want it just let me know. [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

bucknbronc · #5 11-01-2003, 11:42 AM

That's okay, it probably is different than mine anyway. I'll probably go to pick-n-pull and tear apart a tilt column for practice and see If I can do it my self. It be better than f***ing mine up. [img]images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

#6 11-02-2003, 09:54 PM

No, you don't need any "special" tools to do this. You will need snap ring pilers, which you can get for $5 at any parts store and you need a machine screw to pull the pivot pins. Thats it, if you can change spark plugs you can do this. [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

crossroads · #7 11-03-2003, 07:04 AM

It's not that hard, just pay attention and don't go snatching stuff out. If you get in a bind with it just post and someone will be glad to help you. I have done about 3or4 of them. If you would like p.m. me and I'll give you my phone # and help you through it.

#8 12-08-2006, 11:08 PM

Let's see if ya'll had the same problem. I can turn the key all the way to start and nothing happens not even the spring return. The key just stay at the forward most position. I thought it was the key switch,,,,,NOPE. Any help would be appreciated..

#9 12-10-2006, 02:40 PM

That was it. Never been that deep into a steering column before. Don't want to do it again. Too bad Ford never saw that as a design defect. My column has tilt, but no lever. Are they made with tilt and the lever added as an option or is mine just missing the lever.

WilliamA · #10 12-29-2006, 09:15 AM

Hey bro, I had the same problem. It's not that big a fix! I did a search because I included some info on this topic. Try this. I hope the link works. If not, do a search with the words "Ignition switch" and look for one with my name next to it.

http://bbs.off-road.com/ubbthreads/showf...rue#Post1489763

I'm not sure if it is mentioned in the above post or not, but this is what I did to remove the pins that allow the tilt to work. I found a screw that would thread into the pin (there is one on each side of the column), then I took a pair of large vise grips and clamped them onto the head of the screw. Then I just tapped the visegrips with a hammer and worked the pins out. This will save you the need for a slide hammer (unless yours are really frozen in there).