NEED HELP! steering shaft is pulling thru

[blazinchuck]

not sure whats happened, but now my steering shaft is pulling through the column...i think the rag joint is all that is keeping me from pulling it out. its a 77 auto column...im not using the auto shifter parts. i have a 5sp. ive pulled it all apart...there is a shifter tube w/spring at the bottom, shifter collar, and bearing retainer plate(that the signal switch mounts to)


why is this happening now??? i was trying to do a test with dakota digital(0-60 time) and thats when i notice shaft pulled out


please help...tell me what i should look for???

 

[Bronco Biff]

Hows the lower bearing look?

 

[shamu]

This help? 1976 manuel column.

 

[blazinchuck]

not really...mine looks like that...i guess ill have to remove column and strip it down to inspect the lower bearing

 

[1sicbronconut]

Get rid of the rag joint while you are at it, those things don't really belong on anything besides a stock Bronco.

 

[blazinchuck]

so...does the lower bearing keep the shaft from sliding up in the column? i still havent gotten any answers yet

 

[shamu]

so...does the lower bearing keep the shaft from sliding up in the column? i still havent gotten any answers yet

Sorry bro but that is what I have. And I just removed it from a new build.

 

[blazinchuck]

Sorry bro but that is what I have. And I just removed it from a new build.

thanks hopper...i appreciate it, but ive never been inside a column before, but i can tell ya mine does look just like that. some black plastic cap,shaft,rag joint,etc. i guess i wont know anyting until i pull it out and tear it down...not really look forward to that. wish i had a better one to install...like a tilt

 

[thegreatjustino]

so...does the lower bearing keep the shaft from sliding up in the column? i still havent gotten any answers yet

There is a clamp around the steering shaft that buts up to a washer that comes after the bearing in the bottom of the column. By tightening up this clamp against the washer, the tension prevents the shaft from sliding up into the column.

 

[blazinchuck]

There is a clamp around the steering shaft that buts up to a washer that comes after the bearing in the bottom of the column. By tightening up this clamp against the washer, the tension prevents the shaft from sliding up into the column.

is this clamp behind the plastic cap? the only clamp i see is part of the rag joint.

got a pic or diagram to show this clamp? i saw a old diagram...but when i zoom in its all blurry

 

[DirtDonk]

Pretty sure the clamp I'm thinking of is only good up to '75.
This is that one:
http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/Steering_Shaft_Clamp/Bronco_Stock_Column_Parts

After that, not sure what properties of the assembly hold the shaft in place. I didn't think the bearing or it's cover were pressed on, so that wouldn't hold anything in place.
Never had a late-model one apart myself either, so haven't seen them in action.

Hope you figure it out.
And it's a cheap and easy fix!

Paul

 

[SC74]

My bet is that clamp also, if it came on '77s that is.

That clamp kept slipping off of my column on the crawler and I replaced it with a big hose clamp. Knock on wood it hasn't come loose yet and has kept my shaft from having any in/out movement.

 

[blazinchuck]

im sure if there was a clamp...it couldnt just fall off? im gonna pull the column..hopefully today. i hope its a easy fix too...got our NOVRUN in 2 weeks!!

 

[thegreatjustino]

Sorry, I missed that you have a '77 shaft. The clamp is only up to '75 as Paul pointed out.

 

[SC74]

Any luck on finding the problem Chuck?

 

[willtel]

My '77 also does this. I think the steering shaft is supposed to be collapsible to prevent injury during an accident but it seems ours now go both ways. I plan to replace mine with a Borgeson with u-joints but I haven't gotten around to it.

 

[blazinchuck]

Any luck on finding the problem Chuck?

havent pulled the shaft...no matter what i dont want to screw my trip up%)

 

[Bronco Biff]

I hear ya!! Move your seat back up!!

I haven't disected a '77 column but ws asking around for clues for ya. Internet search popped up some Jim Creel (Wild Horses) Videos of him changing the shift collar with obvious experience and pushing the shaft back up from the bottom while his kid worked the top to get it indexed..........bet a phone call there could get on clue. Got anybody to pull up on it while ya look at the bottom?

 

[blazinchuck]

back to the top....anyone?? i havent pulled it yet only because i dont want to mess up my trip coming. i feel sure the shaft will ride fine...it cant come up no more than whats it doing now and cant go down due to the snap ring in place.

 

[blazinchuck]

Huge thank you to Matt B from Tom's Broncos...he knew just what i was talking bout. there are 2 snap rings(one below/above upper bearing) when i tried to do the smooth collar with a tappered cone/spring...it must have forced the lower snap ring out its grove. should be a easy fix when i get home. i will post results later.