STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY

6-9. DESCRIPTION. (See Figure 6-3.)

6-10. The horn switch is located near the base of the upper shaft and is operated by mechanical linkage. A cast upper column housing with an integral instrument panel supports the steering wheel and mounts to the truck cowl. The upper column shaft is supported by two ball bearings. A plate directly below the instrument panel provides access to the instruments and electrical connections. A lower column cover encloses the lower shaft and the flexible coupling. The flexible coupling connects the lower shaft and steering gear drive shaft.

6-11. REMOVAL. (See Figure 6-3.)

a. Remove the access plate below the instrument panel and the lower column cover.

b. Tag and disconnect all wires to the column electrical components.

c. Remove the pinch bolt securing the flexible coupling to the steering gear drive shaft.

d. Support the column assembly and remove the four nuts and washers securing the column casting to the truck cowl.

e. Lift the assembly while working the flex coupling off the steering gear shaft. Remove the assembly from the truck. 6-12. DISASSEMBLY. (See Figure 6-3.)

a. Remove the steering wheel as specified in paragraph 6-6. Tilt the assembly up (steering wheel end down) to remove the small spring from the center of the upper shaft.

b. Remove the three screws securing the upper column cover. Remove the cover with the KEY and horn switches attached. Carefully feed the wires past the lower bearing housing.

c. If the universal joint and lower shaft or the upper shaft are to be replaced, loosen the universal joint pinch bolt and nut. Remove the universal joint and lower shaft from the upper shaft splines.

d. If the lower shaft or flexible coupling are to be replaced, remove the pinch bolt and remove the coupling from the lower shaft.

e. Use suitable snap-ring pliers to remove the two snap rings on the steering wheel side of the upper bearing.

f. Press the pin out of the switch flange to allow the flange free movement on the shaft.

g. Remove the two capscrews, nuts and washers securing the lower bearing housing to the column casting.

h. Carefully slide the upper shaft down (as mounted on truck) out of the upper bearing. Then, remove the remaining upper bearing snap ring, switch flange and spring from the shaft.

i. If necessary, remove the spring retainer pin, lower bearing retainer, lower bearing and lower bearing housing from the shaft.

6-13. INSPECTION. (Refer to Table 6-1.)

6-14. REASSEMBLY. (See Figure 6-3.)

a. If removed, install the lower bearing in the bearing housing and install the housing with bearing retainer on the column. Install the spring retainer pin (1/4-inch pin) and large spring on the upper shaft.

b. Insert the steering wheel end of the upper shaft in the lower hole (as mounted on the truck) of the column casting. Install the switch flange (flange portion toward lower bearing) and the upper bearing bottom snap ring on the upper shaft.