steering problem

[38ford]

Can anyone tell me how the steering shaft is hooked into the column. Looks
like the only thing holding mine in is the rag joint. It's moved out far enough so the horn doesn't work anymore. Thanks for any input, Jim

[chains20]

Well mine is a 71 with power steering so im not sure if this will help but min has a u joint at the bottom of the column and the reg joint is closer to the power steering box. If you have manual steering somebody else will have to chime in.

[Pack Rat]

Gotta figure you have Ross steering since that's the only one used a rag joint. On the bottom of the column tube there's a bushing that's held in place by two 5/16 head screws. It's not too easy to see when the column is installed but there are off set slots in the tube that allow adjustment of the inner steering shaft up and down. I'd be checking the bottom of the column for rust. Another thing that could happen is as the body bushings compress with age or the body supports rust, because the column is mounted solid to the body, the bushing will wear faster and push the shaft up through the column. Just a thought, hopefully not that but it wouldn't surprise me.

[38ford]

Originally Posted by Pack Rat

Gotta figure you have Ross steering since that's the only one used a rag joint. On the bottom of the column tube there's a bushing that's held in place by two 5/16 head screws. It's not too easy to see when the column is installed but there are off set slots in the tube that allow adjustment of the inner steering shaft up and down. I'd be checking the bottom of the column for rust. Another thing that could happen is as the body bushings compress with age or the body supports rust, because the column is mounted solid to the body, the bushing will wear faster and push the shaft up through the column. Just a thought, hopefully not that but it wouldn't surprise me.

Wish you would have been a day earlier, would have saved me a bunch of work. I pulled everything out including the wiring for the turn signals and horn. The screws were loose enough so that it had backed the adjustment all the way back. Readjusted and tightened the screws and all is well. Thanks for the reply, really appreciate it. Jim

[38ford]

Originally Posted by chains20

Well mine is a 71 with power steering so im not sure if this will help but min has a u joint at the bottom of the column and the reg joint is closer to the power steering box. If you have manual steering somebody else will have to chime in.

Wish I had the power steering. Thanks for the reply. Jim

[Pack Rat]

At least it wasn't the worst case scenario .