Steering wheel to column gap

[CJ Perry]

Hey all, I've recently come to learn that my truck (1969 F-250 C/S) was originally a manual steering truck that the previous owner converted to P/S with a steering gear and column from a 70-72, and I've been dealing with all the little headaches that come with that, like my horn button fitment. The gremlin I'm currently trying to tackle is the gap between the wheel and column. I've adjusted my column with the two bolts in the cab but the gap is still excessive, and my left turn signal won't cancel . I can physically push the wheel and shaft back in with some force, or pry it back from under the hood to make the wheel sit flush, but after turning the wheel a few times it will, "walk" back out to the prior position, to me my recently replaced rag joint looks somewhat stretched out, like the steering shaft is set too far back. What I did notice while replacing the rag joint is that the clamp circled in the attached steering column diagram is loose, the previous owner never tightened it fully and I can spin it pretty freely, I've yet to tighten it because the bolt and nut are seized right up of course . It seems to me that this clamp would set the position of the steering shaft relative to the column because of its positioning against the end of the column, is that correct or do my problems lie elsewhere?

[sargentrs]

That's a good starting point. The clamp serves a dual purpose. Keeps the shaft from sliding up and also keeps pressure on the lower column bearing retainer cone to keep the shaft centered in the bearing. First you have to get it functional. Then push the steering shaft all the way down to flatten your rag joint. Then slide the clamp up and tighten it down. Then loosen the bolts holding the column under the dash and the ring clamp holding the column to the firewall bracket. Pull the column up to close the gap. You'll need to loosen the upper column retainer cone to get it to slide up the shaft. Lock the column down and tweak the shaft again until you have the gap where you want it.

[CJ Perry]

Thank you for the help! I will have to tackle it this weekend. By upper column retainer cone do you mean the nylon ring behind the steering wheel that centers the shaft in the column? What's the best way to loosen it while keeping the steering wheel fully seated if so?

[sargentrs]

Yes. that's the one. You'll have to remove the steering wheel and leave it off while you do the adjustment. Take it off and screw the shaft nut back onto the threads a little ways. Then use a slightly smaller socket over the shaft and onto the nut with an extension (or a short piece of pipe) to give you something to push against and tap with a hammer if need be. Are you using the 3 spoke sterring wheel fron the '69 or the '71-'72 style with the padded single cross bar?

[CJ Perry]

I'm using the 3 spoke wheel.

[sargentrs]

If it's a column from a '71-'72, has the shaft been shaved down so the wheel will sit all the way down? http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... hp?t=35113

[CJ Perry]

Yes it is, I ground down the shaft so the wheel is on completely and my horn button fits and is functional.

[sargentrs]