1969 FORD MUSTANG Volume One Chassis

03-05-08
Steering Columns And Linkage

03-05-08

tube.
In some instances the column

will shift into proper alignment when

the toe plate attaching nuts are loos-

ened. (Alignment is acceptable if a

.010 inch feeler blade can be passed

freely, completely around the area be-

tween the outer diameter of the steer-

ing shaft and the shift tube.) if the

misalignment condition can be attrib-

uted to this area, file or ream the dash

panel holes for greater clearance. If

the alignment is maintained after the

toe plate nuts and toe plate to column

clamp bolt and nut are torqued to the

8-12 ft-lb specification, no further ad-

justment is necessary.

4.
Remove instrument panel lower

trim panel. Vehicles equipped with a

combination radio stereo tape player

will require removal of the radio and

tape player assembly in order to gain

access to the upper R.H. steering col-

umn support bracket bolt.

5.
Loosen the seven bolts at the

steering column support bracket and

brake pedal support bracket.
6. Install a 3/16 inch diameter rod

spacer in the flex coupling to assure

proper clearance between upper and

lower steering shaft.

7.
Raise the vehicle, remove the

transmission splash shield, and visual-

ly align the column to center the

steering shaft in the column. Tighten

two toe plate attaching nuts sufficient-

ly to hold the column alignment (two

persons may be required for this oper-

ation).

8. Lower the vehicle.

9. Check the clearance between the

steering column support bracket and

the instrument panel bracket. It may

be necessary to add shims (Part Num-

ber MK-3054-A .060 inch thick, or

C3AZ-3054-A, .113 inch thick) be-

tween the support bracket and the in-

strument panel bracket to prevent

movement of the column when the

support bracket bolts are tightened.

10.
Loosen the two toe plate at-

taching nuts previously tightened. Re-

check steering column alignment. In
some instances it may be necessary to

enlarge the holes in the dash panel in

order to obtain proper column align-

ment.

11.
With the column properly al-

igned, torque the four toe plate at-

taching nuts to 4-9 ft-lbs.

12.
Torque the toe plate to steering

column clamp bolt to 3-5 ft-lbs.

13.
Recheck steering shaft to shift

tube alignment. A 0.10 inch feeler

blade should pass freely, completely

around the area between the outer di-

ameter of the steering shaft and shift-

er tube.

14.
Raise the vehicle.

15.
Adjust transmission shift link-

age.

16.
Install transmission splash

shield.

17.
Lower the vehicle.

18.
Install the radio stereo tape

player if so equipped.

19.
Install instrument panel lower

trim panel.

20.
Connect the battery.

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

STEERING COLUMN

FORD, MERCURY, METEOR

Removal

1.
Disconnect the battery cable

from the negative post.

2.
Disconnect the turn signal switch

wires at the connector.

3.
Disconnect the neutral start

switch and back-up light switch wires

from the switches.

4.
Disconnect the transmission con-

trol rod(s) from the lever(s) at the

lower end of the column.

5.
Remove the bolt that secures the

flex coupling to the steering gear.

6. Remove the nuts that secure the

column retainer and seal at the toe

plate (Fig. 11).

7.
Ford, Meteor: Remove the two

screws that secure the lower trim

shroud to the upper trim shroud. Re-

move the two shrouds.

Mercury: Remove the two screws

that secure the lower trim shroud to

the upper trim shroud. Remove the

top shroud Disconnect the ignition

switch light bulb. Remove the ignition

and light switch bezels and spring clip

and remove the lower shroud. Discon-
nect the light switch electrical connec-

tor block.

8. Remove the two screws that se-

cure the intermediate bracket to the

column lower bracket.

9. While supporting the steering

column, remove the two nuts that se-

cure the column lower bracket to the

instrument panel. Remove the brack-

ets.

10.
Lift the steering column and

wheel from the vehicle.

Installation

1.
Position the steering column in

the vehicle. Index the block tooth on

the steering gear shaft with the corre-

sponding slot on the flex coupling. In-

stall and tighten the flex coupling-

to-steering gear attaching bolt.

2.
Place the column upper bracket

and column lower bracket in position

on the column and install but do not

tighten the four attaching nuts.

3.
Install and tighten the two nuts

that secure the column lower bracket

to the instrument panel. Make certain

the column is properly positioned rela-

tive to the flex coupling input shaft

connection.

4.
Install and tighten the screws

that secure the intermediate bracket to

the column lower bracket.
5.
Tighten the four attaching nuts

at the upper and lower brackets and

the two nuts at the upper bracket to

instrument panel. The dial pointer (if

so equipped) should be adjusted to

coincide with the selector lever.

6. Install and tighten the nuts and

bolts that secure the column retainer

and seal at the toe plate. Make sure

the steering shaft is centered in the

column before tightening the nuts.

7.
Ford, Meteor: Install and tighten

the two screws that secure the lower

trim shroud to the upper trim shroud.

Mercury: Connect the light switch

harness block. Install the ignition and

light switch bezels. Connect the igni-

tion switch light bulb. Install the top

shroud and the two screws that secure

the lower trim shroud to the upper

shroud.

8. Connect the transmission control

rod(s) to the lever(s) at the lower end

of the column.

9. Connect the neutral start switch

and back-up light switch to their re-

spective terminals.

10.
Connect the turn signal switch

wires.

11.
Connect the negative battery

cable to the battery.

12.
Check the operation of the

steering tilt mechanism if so equipped

and the switches.procarmanuals.com

03-05-09

Steering Columns And Linkage

03-05-09

FAIRLANE, FALCON

AND MONTEGO

Removal

1.
Disconnect the battery cable

from the negative post.

2.
Disconnect the turn signal switch

wires at the connector.

3.
Disconnect the neutral start

siwtch (with automatic transmission)

and back-up light switch wires from

the switches.

4.
Disconnect the transmission con-

trol rod(s) from the lever(s) at the

lower end of the column.

5.
Remove the bolt that secures the

flex coupling to the steering gear (Fig.

12).
6. Remove the nuts and bolts that

secure the column retainer and seal at

the toe plate.

7.
Disconnect the nuts that secure

the column upper and lower brackets

to the brake pedal support bracket

and the dash panel.

8. Lift the column from the vehicle.

Installation

1.
Position the steering column in

the vehicle. Make sure that the wheels

are in the straight ahead position and

that the steering wheel spokes are in a

horizontal position when the flex cou-

pling engages the input shaft splines.

2.
Install but do not tighten the

nuts that secure the column upper and

lower brackets to the brake pedal sup-
port bracket and the dash panel.

Make certain the column is properly

positioned relative to the flex coupling

inpui shaft connection.

3.
Install and tighten the flex cou-

pling-to-steering gear attaching bolt.

4.
Tighten the nuts at the brake

pedal support bracket and the dash

panel.

5.
Install and tighten the nuts and

bolts that secure the column retainer

and seal at the toe plate.

6. Connect the transmission control

rod(s) to the lever(s) at the lower end

of the column.

7.
Connect the neutral start switch

(if so equipped) and back-up light

switch to their respective terminals.

8. Connect the turn signal switch

wires.

COLUMN UPPER \

BRACKET-3506 V

BRAKE PEDAL

SUPPORT BRACKET

TRIMSHROUD-3530

UPPER CLAMP-3507,

COLUMN LOWER

BRACKET-3R547

•
FLEXCOUPLING-3A525
^INTERMEDIATE

BRACKET-3676

VIEW AA

G1616-A

FIG. 11—Steering Column Installation—Ford, Mercury, Meteorprocarmanuals.com

03-05-10
Steering Columns And Linkage

03-05-10

9. Connect the battery cable to the

negative post.

10.
Check the operation of the

switches.

COUGAR, MUSTANG

Removal

cable

1.
Disconnect the battery

from the negative post.

2.
Disconnect the turn signal switch

wires at the connector.

3.
On tilt-away columns, disconnect

the tilt-control cable from the vacuum

motor and mounting bracket.

4.
Remove the bolt that secures the

flex coupling to the steering gear.

5.
Remove the nuts and bolts that
secure the column retainer and seal at

the toe plate.

6. Remove the nuts that secure the

column lower bracket to the brake

pedal support (Fig. 13).

7.
Lift the column from the vehicle.

Installation

1.
Position the steering column in

the vehicle. Make sure that the wheels

are in the straight ahead position and

that the steering wheel spokes are in a

horizontal position when the flex cou-

pling engages the input shaft splines.

2.
Install but do not tighten the

nuts that secure the column lower

bracket to the brake pedal support.

Make certain the column is properly
positioned relative to the flex coupling

input shaft connection.

3.
Tighten the two rearward nuts at

the brake pedal support bracket and

column lower bracket to the brake

pedal support.

4.
Install and tighten the nuts and

bolts that secure the column retainer

and seal at the toe plate. Tighten the

forward nuts securing the column to

the brake pedal support.

5.
Install and tighten the flex cou-

pling-to-steering gear attaching bolt.

6. On tilt-away columns, connect

the tilt-control cable to the vacuum

motor and mounting bracket. Adjust

the cable for proper operation.

7.
Connect the turn signal switch

wires.

8. Connect the battery cable to the

negative post.

STEERING WHEEL-3600

BRAKE PEDAL SUPPORT

BRACKET-3B139

TOE PLATE

COLUMN LOWER

BRACKET-3R547

FLEXCOUPLING-3A525

G1617-A

FIG. 72—Steering Column Installation—Fairlane, Falcon, Montegoprocarmanuals.com

03-05-11

Steering Columns
And
Linkage

03-05-11

9. Check
the
operation
of the
steer-

ing tilt mechanism
(if so
equipped)

and
the
switches.

THUNDERBIRD
AND

CONTINENTAL MARK
III

Removal

1.
Remove
the
instrument panel

lower outer finish panel, instrument

panel steering column plate
and
cover.

2.
Disconnect
the
negative cable

from
the
battery.

3.
Remove
the
bolt that attaches

the flexible coupling
to the
steering

shaft.

4.
Disconnect
the
shift
rod
from
the

lever
at the
lower
end of the
column.
5.
Remove
the
four screws that
at-

tach
the
column retainer
to the
dash

panel.

6. Working from
the
underside
of

the instrument panel disconnect
the

steering column tilt-control cable from

the vacuum motor
and
mounting

bracket
(if so
equipped)
(Fig. 14).

7.
Disconnect
the
turn signal

switch,
and
emergency flasher wires
at

the connectors. Disconnect
the
wires

from
the
neutral start switch.

8. While supporting
the
steering

column, remove
the
four bolts that
at-

tach
the
lower clamp
to the
upper

clamp
(Fig. 14).
Lift
the
column from

the vehicle.

Installation

1.
Position
the
column
in the
vehi-
cle making sure that
the
steering shaft

engages
the
flex coupling.

1.
Install
the
column retainer-

to-dash panel attaching screws,
but do

not tighten them.

3.
Install
the
lower clamp
and the

attaching nuts. Tighten
the
nuts fing-

ertight.

4.
Move
the
lower flange
as re-

quired
to
center
the
steering shaft
in

the tube. Aligning procedures
are de-

tailed
in
Part
3-1.
Tighten
the
lower

flange attaching nuts when
the
shaft
is

centered.

5.
Connect
the
shift
rod to the
shift

lever
at the
lower
end of the
column.

6. Install
and
tighten
the
flex
cou-

pling attaching bolt.

7.
Tighten
the
instrument panel-

to-clamp attaching nuts.

BRAKE PEDAL SUPPORT
STEERING WHEEL-3600

TURN SIGNAL LEVER-13305

COLUMN TUBE-3514

COLUMN LOWER BRACKET-3R547

•TOE PLATE

FLEX COUPLING-3A525

G1618-A

f/G.
73—Steering Column Installation—Cougar, Mustangprocarmanuals.com

SPRING-3D655

RELEASE-3D544
BRACKET-3678

UPPER CLAMP-3506

WIRE RETAINING CLIP-13377

SPRING-3520 COVER-3D505

TURN SIGNAL SWITCH-13341

TURN SIGNAL AND TILT

CONTROL LEVER-13305

FLEX COUPLING-3A525

BEARING-7347

INSULATOR-7C102

SEAL-3E629

BEARING-3576

G1539-A

flG.
14—Steering
Column Installation—Thwderibird cmd Corrttnettfd Markprocarmanuals.com

STEERING WHEEL-3600

STEERING SHAFT-3525

LOWER CLAMP

3668

CENTERING WASHER-3C708

G1542-A

:/G.
15—Steering Column (Fixed)—Disassembled—Lincoln Continentalprocarmanuals.com

03-05-14
Steering Columns And Linkage

03-05-14

8. Connect the turn signal and

emergency flasher switch wires at the

multiple connectors. Connect the wires

to the neutral start switch. Adjust-

ments for the neutral start switch are

detailed in Group 7 of this manual.

9. Connect the tilt-column control

cable to the release cable retainer and

vacuum motor (if so equipped). To re-

move cable slack, loosen the bracket

attaching screw and pull it slightly

toward the column, then tighten the

screw. If difficulty in adjusting this

control is experienced, the retainer

slot may be filed to gain additional

travel.

10.
Install the instrument panel

steering column plate and cover and

the instrument panel lower outer fin-

ish panel.

11.
Connect the negative cable to

the battery.

12.
Start the engine and check the

operation of the steering column and

switches.

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

Removal

1.
Disconnect the battery.

2.
Disconnect the rod from the
lever at the lower end of the selector

tube.

Loosen the clamp bolt that locks

the flexible coupling to the steering

shaft.

3.
Working from the underside of

the steering wheel spoke, remove the

two screws that secure the crash pad.

Remove the pad. Do not use a ham-

mer or knock-off type wheel puller.

Striking the puller or shaft may cause

damage to the bearings and/or col-

lapsible column. Remove the steering

wheel as shown in Fig. 15.

4.
Remove the instrument panel

steering column finish plate.

5.
Remove the four screws that at-

tach the lower retainer to the dash

panel.

6. Disconnect the turn signal switch

and emergency flasher wires at the

connectors. Disconnect the wires from

the neutral start switch.

7.
While supporting the steering

column, remove the bolts that attach

the lower clamp to the upper bracket

(Fig. 15). Lift the column from the ve-

hicle.

Installation

1.
Position the column in the vehi-
cle,
making sure that the steering

shaft engages the flex coupling.

2.
Install the column retainer-

to-dash panel attaching screws, but do

not tighten them.

3.
Install the lower clamp and the

attaching nuts. Tighten the nuts fing-

ertight.

4.
Move the lower flange as re-

quired to center the steering shaft in

the tube. Aligning procedures are de-

tailed in Part 3-1. Tighten the lower

flange attaching nuts when the shaft is

centered.

5.
Connect the shift rod to the shift

lever at the lower end of the column.

6. Install and tighten the flex cou-

pling attaching bolt.

7.
Tighten the instrument panel-

to-clamp attaching nuts.

8. Connect the turn signal and

emergency flasher switch wirss at the

multiple connectors. Connect the wires

to the neutral start switch. Adjust-

ments for the neutral start switch are

detailed in Group 7 of this manual.

9. Install the instrument panel

steering column finish plate.

10.
Install the steering wheel and

crash pad.

MAJOR REPAIR OPERATIONS

STEERING COLUMN

SHIFT TUBE REPLACEMENT

STATIONARY COLUMN

WITH STANDARD

TRANSMISSION

Removal

1.
Working from the underside of

the steering wheel spoke, remove the

two screws that secure the crash pad.

Remove the pad. (On Continental

Mark III models, pry out the crash

pad insert and remove the two screws

that secure the crash pad. Remove the

crash pad. On models equipped with

steering wheel mounted speed con-

trols,
refer to Group 16 for removal

instructions).

2.
Remove the steering wheel from

the steering shaft with tool T67L-

3600-A (Fig. 1). Then, remove the

tool from the steering wheel. Do not

use a knock-off type steering Wheel

puller or strike the end of the steering

shaft with a hammer. Striking the

puller or shaft will damage the bear-
ing or the collapsible column.

3.
Remove the steering column

from the vehicle.

4.
Remove the selector lever from

the hub (Fig. 16).

5.
Remove the bearing upper snap

ring. It may be necessary to pull the

turn signal switch out to remove the

snap ring.

6. Remove the screws that attach

the shift tube bearing, shift arms, and

shift tube to the lower end of the

steering column.

7.
Slip the shift tube and steering

shaft from the lower end of the steer-

ing column tube. The upper bearing

has a slight press fit on the steering

shaft.

8. Remove the C-washer from the

upper end of the steering shaft, and

pull the shift tube from the steering

shaft.

9. Remove the shift tube bearing

from the lower end of the tube

Installation

1.
Position the shift tube bearing
(Fig. 16) on the tube and insert the

steering shaft in the shift tube.

2.
Install the C-washer on the

upper end of the steering shaft.

3.
Insert the shift tube and steering

shaft into the steerint column tube

and install the three attaching screws

at the lower end of the steering col-

umn tube.

4.
Position the bearing and insula-

tor on the shaft if it was disturbed

during removal. Work it down onto

the shaft as far as possible, then place

a piece of 3/4 ID x 2 1/8 inch pipe

over the end of shaft and install the

steering wheel attaching nut (Fig. 2).

5.
Tighten the nut until the bearing

is seated in the flange, then remove

the nut and pipe from the shaft.

6. Position the turn signal switch

on the flange and install the three at-

taching screws. Install the upper snap

ring.

7.
Install the selector lever and the

turn signal lever in the column.

8. Adjust and install the neutral

start switch as detailed in Group 7.

9. Install the steering column in the

vehicle.procarmanuals.com

03-05-15
Steering Columns And Linkage

03-05-15

SHIFT

TUBE
STEERING

COLUMN
TUBE
SELECTOR

I
LEVER
HUB

\
CENTERING

I
WASHER
QUADRANT

BEARING

UPPER

SNAP RING

TURN SIGNAL AND

EMERGENCY FLASHER

SWITCH

PLASTIC

CONDUIT

STEERING

SHAFT

CONNECTOR

FIG. 16—Typical Stationary Steering Column Disassembled—Standard Transmission
G 1494-A

SNAP RING
STEERING WHEEL-3600

SEAL - 7C102

BEARING -3517

SNAP RING

FLANGE -3511

SELECTOR BEZEL-

LEVER- 7210 ZtL

GEAR SHIFT LEVER

(FIRST
&

REVERSE)
/
7303
/ 9

WASHER - 7242

BUSHING - 733

- 7347

UPPER CLAMP-01698
GEARSHIFT LEVER

(SECOND & THIRD) - 7302

SEAL-

LOWER CLAMP - 01699
^^r**——
FLEX JOINT - 3A525

FIG. 17—Typical Stationary Steering Column Disassembled—Automatic Transmission
G1501-Aprocarmanuals.com