STEERING WHEEL - STEERING COLUMN GAP

[Jeff Norwell]

Hey Guys.. have a question.
I was noticing on my steering column, and steering wheel(300) that the gap between the wheel and the column has a large gap.
I checked an old unit and the gap seems to be the same.
Place the wheel on and tighten down... the nut only goes so far and is basically flush  with the steering shaft it goes onto.
checked the old unit in the corner and its the same.
Was wondering if the "gap" should be closer and tighter?
Maybe I am over thinking all this.. but also....
There is a spring in a FORD- O-MATIC column (pn3520) which doesn't seem to be present in a 3 speed man. column.
I have it mine and have taken it out and put it back in.... seems to have no effect on anything.
Am I wrong on this?

I can simply loosen all the hardware on the column and move forward about 1/4 inch.... But I am not sure it will make any difference.(to try and tighten the gap)


I will attach pics.....
looking for clarity/


My Column and wheel in the car.

[Jeff Norwell]

The stock unit in the parts pile.... uncracked and its a FORD-O-MATIC unit.

[Jeff Norwell]

Pics of the Ford Manuel showing a FORD-O-MATIC column and a standard 3 speed man. column.

[lalessi1]

The whole column (linkage and all) clamps onto the steering box and the dash. If you loosen the clamps you can slide the  column towards the steering wheel (which can't move as it is a part of the steering box) you can set the gap to what you want. I don't think a 1/4" or so would mess up the linkage. Makes sense to me?

[Jeff Norwell]

The whole column (linkage and all) clamps onto the steering box and the dash. If you loosen the clamps you can slide the  column towards the steering wheel (which can't move as it is a part of the steering box) you can set the gap to what you want. I don't think a 1/4" or so would mess up the linkage. Makes sense to me?

Yes Lynn..I agree... and although is a PIA and I am lazy.I will do that tonight.
But my other question was about that spring(pn3520) and if it will be a problem in a man. column?
It seems to keep the cup retainer(pn3518) in place so the steering shaft is entered.
It also is not binding inside the column......everything seems fine and the column shifts perfectly.

again. maybe its nothing... 

[hiball3985]

I've adjusted my gap to about 3/16". The spring is needed to keep the bearing in place.

[Jeff Norwell]

I've adjusted my gap to about 3/16". The spring is needed to keep the bearing in place.

As I suspected Jim..... thank you....... yes,I have had the wheel off and on a few times removing the spring and then, leaving it in.
And when the spring was out. the bearing would not stay put.


I can easily move the whole steering column and the 3/16 was number I was looking for

thanks man.

[djfordmanjack]

Same with Jim and Lynn, As soon as you remove the column from car or loosen the clamps, that bearing thrust spring will push the tube away from the wheel. hence the big gap. basically also the same in all other early Ford V8 columns, right down to the model B and A.

[Jeff Norwell]

Same with Jim and Lynn, As soon as you remove the column from car or loosen the clamps, that bearing thrust spring will push the tube away from the wheel. hence the big gap. basically also the same in all other early Ford V8 columns, right down to the model B and A.

Agreed G. doing it tonight.

[abe_lugo]

Is there differ strength springs or different year springs for right under the wheel?
Also might have the column sleeve been loose when the wheel was installed with the spring, thus pushing it down?

On my new-to-me F100, same issue.  The PO recently has the three speed linage worked on and a gap was left. 
I have the same issue.

I wonder if the sleeve and the three speed linkage slides up and down as a unit with the bolt loosened?

Currently shift go in like butter.  So would hate to ruin that. 

Jeff please update what you find.

[Jeff Norwell]

All fixed and corrected.

Abe,... Lynn,Jim and G. were correct.
It took a lot less time to correct.... I simply loosened the bottom bracket holding the steering column to the shaft(at the base close to the steering box) and the 2 large fasteners holding the column secure under the dash in the car..
Yes.. the linkage slides with the shaft.. no need to loosen that..but I did pin the shifter tabs to perfect neutral before starting.. because I feared the same thing you were asking.After completing the job.. the shifter and linkage were un -affected.
It's much easier to do with a friend.. as the shaft goes toward the wheel for adjustment. the Thrust bearing spring wants to push the column back.... so my pal who helped me kept the shaft in place at the desired adjustment and tightened it down.

As for different spring rates for different years.... not sure.. but I can't see Ford doing that due to cost.I could be wrong.

The whole thing was done in 15 minutes.

Thanks all for the input.

[Jeff Norwell]

Alls well that ends well...
Gap shortened.

[djfordmanjack]

Jeff, I guess a simple do it all-by-yourself version is to just unbolt the steering wheel center nut, until the spring loses tension. that way you can easily move the column up and tighten the bracket bolts. a bit of back and forth and fiddling may be needed to achieve the right gap, as you can't directly check it that way.
I like the white interior paint on the Texan ! Dynamat or similar gives just such a nice feeling to a cheapish car like ours. I totally coated the interior of my '61 beetle and it is the utmost quiet VW I have ever had in 28 years....

[abe_lugo]

Thanks for the update.  I'm missing some replacement horn parts on mine, so I'm waiting on this till I mess the with the rest but this is very well written update!

[Ecode70D]

Jeff
    That column gap looks good to me. Please don't paint it.  Jay