Steering wheel hub collar help

[blamejane]

Hey guys, I'm installing a new steering wheel and hub on my bronco. The hub is for a 75-77 bronco, however I can't get collar onto the steering column lip. I've tried using a rubber mallet with a block of wood to hammer, but with the small amount of force I used, it didn't work.

I know the column is stock, and the collar looks like it should slide onto it with some force or pressure, but I don't want to damage it. Thought I'd see if anyone has experience here. What do you guys think?

Here's a photo:

 

[75MIKE]

See if this helps. Your pushing a spring and trying to line up a key way in the shifter tube on top of everything else. It helps to have 3 hands also.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNTv2kpxba4

 

[blamejane]

See if this helps. Your pushing a spring and trying to line up a key way in the shifter tube on top of everything else. It helps to have 3 hands also.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNTv2kpxba4

Thanks Mike, I've passed that part though; and yes it was tough. I have the hub and steering wheel already installed. The collar I'm speaking about is decorative, and covers the gap (supposedly) between the hub adapter and the steering column. Once it drops down enough to cover the gap, then the set screw is tightened to keep the collar in-place with the hub (as the wheel turns the collar turns with it).

My problem is the collar won't slide over the silver colored lip you see on the top of the column.

 

[75MIKE]

Your pictures aren't showing.

 

[blamejane]

Your pictures aren't showing.

Thanks for letting me know. I've updated the OP with a pic.

 

[RM70]

Wrong size collar sent perhaps?

 

[blamejane]

Wrong size collar sent perhaps?

Yeah, that's probably what's going on. I wasn't sure if it should be loose or snug. As I think about it, if I hammer the collar so that it fits over the lip, then it won't spin freely as the wheel turns; it'll be a snug fitting collar.

I'm assuming that it should ultimately be loose NOT snug to function properly.

 

[RM70]

I know the collar in the kit I put on a 66 mustang was fairly loose fitting on the steering column.

 

[blamejane]

I know the collar in the kit I put on a 66 mustang was fairly loose fitting on the steering column.

Okay thanks, that's what I need to know.

 

[RM70]

I'll try to grab a picture of it tonight when I get off work.

 

[blamejane]

I'll try to grab a picture of it tonight when I get off work.

I appreciate that but not probably not worth the trouble as I'm pretty sure you've already answered my question. Thank you!

 

[blamejane]

Can someone confirm that silver lip is correct at the top of the steering column, and not some modification made for the previous aftermarket steering wheel/hub? Hope this makes sense to you guys.

 

[56f100bbw]

One piece hub and collar

On my 76 bronco No adapter collar no set screw It’s all one piece with the hub

 

[blamejane]

Thanks Gary. So looking at this pic, my column may have been modified as your column looks different at the joint. BTW, nice hub...wish mine came like that.

 

[56f100bbw]

77 bronco

This is my 77 bronco Nardi hub and collar it has a set screw to hold collar in place on a stock steering column

 

[56f100bbw]

It looks like the lip on the column has been modified to fit another hub at one time

 

[blamejane]

This is my 77 bronco Nardi hub and collar it has a set screw to hold collar in place on a stock steering column

Thanks. I have the same hub/collar it looks like, so my problem is the lip. I assumed the collar went over that lip, but now I think these two parts should just mate-up or sit-flush.

Do you agree? Anyway, sounds like the hub and collar are exactly as they should be and I just need to paint that lip black, or 3D print a new collar which will cover that lip (loosely)

Well I feel better, thanks everyone who helped!!

 

[75MIKE]

I think someone milled that piece to keep the prior hub from rubbing or............... It would be cool if that gap could be hidden.

 

[blamejane]

I think someone milled that piece to keep the prior hub from rubbing or............... It would be cool if that gap could be hidden.

Thanks Mike. My plan is to sharpie or paint that silver lip for now. Next time I feel up to pulling the wheel, I'll just grind that lip off and drop the collar a bit more.

 

[jckkys]

The top of the switch housing is cast with a squared top. The steering wheel adapter is supposed to come close, ie no big gap, but neither touch nor fit over the switch housing. Yours looks like it had an adapter that was pushed on too far wearing the lip you see into the switch housing. A new one isn't too expensive here;https://shop.broncograveyard.com/Signal-Switch-Housing-Auto-74-77/productinfo/17050/. As you can see in the BG photo there is no lip worn into the new switch housings.