Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Did my hammer shrink my steering column? (Read 1069 times) previous topic - next topic

Did my hammer shrink my steering column?

Ok, so, 4 hours after pulling my steering column..., I just spent 15 minutes putting it in and taking it back out repeatedly trying to figure out why it's about three to four inches to short all of a sudden!  If it's pushed all the way as far it'll go its about an inch or two short (but no where near lining up with the bolts that hold it up) and if I bolt it in place it's about three or four inches short...  I thought I was going insane but then had a flashback; I used a metal bar and a hammer to get the steering column to break free of the joint just on the other side of the firewall.  Is it possible that this action pushed the end of the steering column up into the shaft?
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
'89 5.0 w/ ported intakes, Mallory Adjustable FPR, BBK shorties and H with 2.5" Flows, 130 amp 3G, 89 Mustang comp/wiring, Aluminum radiator w/ elec fan, T5 trans, King Cobra clutch, 3.55 gears, 13" Cobra brakes (front), Wilwood prop valve, Mustang A-arms, Front Coil-overs, MM CC plates, Silver 17x9 R's, 03 Cobra IRS, Aluminum DS, 2002 Mustang dash/console etc..., custom leather seats

Did my hammer shrink my steering column?

Reply #1 –
Yer darn tootin'.

I put the shaft in a vise and put a bolt through the hole at the end. I then beat on the bolt with a hammer like a Mongoloid until it was as long as before. I used the witness marks from the rubber grommet to gauge when the shaft was as long as it needed to be. There is probably an easier way, but I didn't know of one.

Did my hammer shrink my steering column?

Reply #2 –
Hahaha, nice, I'll try it.  I did just get it to pop about an inch but needs to go some more...  I sprayed some pb, gonna finish it up in the AM.  thanks
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
'89 5.0 w/ ported intakes, Mallory Adjustable FPR, BBK shorties and H with 2.5" Flows, 130 amp 3G, 89 Mustang comp/wiring, Aluminum radiator w/ elec fan, T5 trans, King Cobra clutch, 3.55 gears, 13" Cobra brakes (front), Wilwood prop valve, Mustang A-arms, Front Coil-overs, MM CC plates, Silver 17x9 R's, 03 Cobra IRS, Aluminum DS, 2002 Mustang dash/console etc..., custom leather seats

Did my hammer shrink my steering column?

Reply #3 –
Mongo angry now!

:D
11.96 @ 118 MPH old 306 KB; 428W coming soon.

Did my hammer shrink my steering column?

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Cougar5.0;177779
Mongo angry now!

:D


:beatyoass:

Did my hammer shrink my steering column?

Reply #5 –
Quote from: JeremyB;177769
Yer darn tootin'.

I put the shaft in a vise and put a bolt through the hole at the end. I then beat on the bolt with a hammer like a Mongoloid until it was as long as before. I used the witness marks from the rubber grommet to gauge when the shaft was as long as it needed to be. There is probably an easier way, but I didn't know of one.

I did mine in-car. I used a slide hammer puller - it was actually quite easy
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Did my hammer shrink my steering column?

Reply #6 –
Yet another tool I need to buy...

Did my hammer shrink my steering column?

Reply #7 –
yeah, me too... needed it about 3 times last week. 

By the way, another method:  Put the end of the steering shaft in a vice (with a 'round' jaw) and pull on the wheel... slid right out!
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
'89 5.0 w/ ported intakes, Mallory Adjustable FPR, BBK shorties and H with 2.5" Flows, 130 amp 3G, 89 Mustang comp/wiring, Aluminum radiator w/ elec fan, T5 trans, King Cobra clutch, 3.55 gears, 13" Cobra brakes (front), Wilwood prop valve, Mustang A-arms, Front Coil-overs, MM CC plates, Silver 17x9 R's, 03 Cobra IRS, Aluminum DS, 2002 Mustang dash/console etc..., custom leather seats