1969 FORD MUSTANG instrument panel

03-05-06
Steering Columns And Linkage

03-05-06

Installation.

1.
Position the vacuum motor on

the bracket. Tighten the two attaching

screws.

2.
Connect the cable to the motor

with the clevis pin. Adjust the cable

bracket so the motor rod is fully ex-

tended, but not tight.

3.
Slide the vacuum motor as re-

quired to align the locking pawl rod

and vacuum motor. Retighten the two

vacuum motor attaching screws.

4.
Connect the vacuum hose to the

vacuum motor.

5.
Install the lower finish panel.

LOCKING LEVER

REPLACEMENT

Removal

1.
Remove the upper flange and

bearings from the column.

2.
Insert a 3
1/8-inch
bolt between

the lower ends of the locking levers

(Fig. 7) to relieve the tension from the

column release lever.

3.
Place the flange in a vise as

shown (Fig. 7) and remove the two re-

tainers with a screwdriver.

4.
Lift the column release lever

from the flange.

5.
Drive the locking lever retaining

pins from the flange with a small

drift.

6. Release the vise slowly to pre-

vent the levers from flying out.

LEVER RETAINING

PINS

3-1/8'
7.
Remove the levers, spring caps

and springs from the flange.

Installation

1.
Make sure that the rubber insu-

lators are in place in the upper flange.

2.
Position the springs, spring caps

and locking levers in the upper flange.

3.
Place the assembly in a vise and

compress the springs. Install new lever

retaining pins in the upper flange. The

pins should protrude from the sides of

the flange by .03 to .09 inch.

4.
Install a 3
1/8-inch
bolt between

the lower ends of the locking levers as

shown in Fig. 7.

5.
Make sure that the column re-

lease lever stop and spring is in place

in the upper flange, then position the

column release lever on the flange. In-

stall the two retainers.

6. Remove the 3
1/8-inch
bolt from

between the levers.

7.
Install the upper flange and

bearings in the steering column.

STEERING COLUMN

ALIGNMENT

THUNDERBIRD AND

CONTINENTAL MARK III

A condition of high shift or steering
efforts may be experienced caused by

improper alignment of the energy ab-

sorbing steering column. The fol-

lowing procedures outline the steps

necessary to correctly re-align either

fixed or tilt columns.

It is recommended that before at-

tempting realignment, the toe plate

(column retainer) to dash panel fas-

tener holes be inspected for a binding

or misaligned condition.

If the conditions described above

could be attributed to this area, file or

ream the dash panel holes for greater

clearance.

The column alignment procedures:

1.
Loosen the nuts retaining the toe

plate (column retainer) to the dash

panel (B in Fig. 8).

2.
Loosen to fingertight the bolt

and nut located on the toe plate re-

taining clamp (C in Fig. 8).

3.
Remove trim at instrument panel

to steering column mounting to ex-

pose retaining bolts.

4.
Loosen to fingertight {.he bolts

that support the column and bracket

against the instrument panel (D in

Fig. 8).

5.
Loosen to fingertight the bolts or

nuts which retain the column brackets

to the brake pedal support bracket

(E).

6. Loosen to fingertight the bolt

which controls lateral adjustment of

RETAINER

B

c

D

E

F
TORQUE VALUE

8-12 FT. LB.

3-5 FT. LB.

7.12 FT. LB.

7.12 FT. LB.

28-42 FT. LB.

G1536-A

FIG. 7—Removing or Installing

Locking Levers
FIG. 8—Steering Column Alignment Locations and Torque Specificationsprocarmanuals.com

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

03-05-11

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

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

03-13-04

Specifications

03-13-04

STEERING LINKAGE TORQUE LIMITS (FT-LBS)

Description

Cylinder Mounting Bracket
to
(Side Hole)

Underbodyor Frame (Bottom Hole)

Power Cylinder
to
Bracket

Power Cylinder
to
Bracket Lock
Nut

Steering
Tie Rod End to
Spindle
Arm

Idler
Arm
Mounting Bracket
to

Underbody
or
Frame

Pitman Arm
to
Control Valve (Power Steering)

Steering Gear
to
Side Rail
or
Frame

Pitman
Arm to
Sector Shaft

Idler
Arm to
Pitman Arm-to-ldler
Arm Rod

Spindle Connecting
Rod
Clamp
to
Adjusting

Sleeve

Pitman
Arm to
Steering Arm-to-ldler
Arm Rod

Steering Spindle
Arm
Connecting
Rod to

Arm-to-ldler
Arm Rod
Cougar, Fairlane,

Falcon,
Mont
ego,

Mustang

28-35

35-43

18-24

3-5

30-40
©

28-35

35-47
©

50-65

150-225

60-80®

10-14

35-47
©

30-40
©
Ford,

Mercury,

Meteor

-

-

-

-

35-47®

28-35

-

50-65

150-225

60-80
®

8-13

35-47
©

35-47
®
Continental

Mark
III

Thunder bird

-

-

-

-

35-47
©

28-35

-

50-65

150-225

60-80
©

8-13

35-47
©

35-47
©
Lincoln

Continental

-

-

-

-

40-55

20-30

-

50-65

150-200

40-55

19-26

40-55

40-55

CD
Torque
to low
limit
of
specification;
then,
tighten
the nut to the
nearest cotter
pin
slot
and
insert
the
cotter
pin.

STEERING COLUMN TORQUE LIMITS (FT-LBS)

Description

Column Lower Bracket
to
Column Upper Bracket

Intermediate Bracket
to
Brake Pedal

Support Bracket

Lower Trim Shroud
to
Upper Trim Shroud

Flex Coupling
to
Steering Gear

Flex Coupling
to
Steering Shaft Flange

Flex Coupling
to
Steering Shaft

Tee Plate
to
Instrument Panel

Steering Wheel Attaching
Nut

Brake Pedal Support Bracket
to
Brake

Pedal Support

Column Upper Bracket
to
Instrument Panel

Column Upper Bracket
to
Lower Clamp
Ford,

Mercury,

Meteor

Upper
9-20

Lower
8-12

9-20

5-10

24-37

10-18

-

8-13

30-40

_

-

-
Fairlane,

Falcon,

Mont
ego

10-20

_

-

24-37

12-18

-

3-8

30-40

28-42

10-16

-
Cougar,

Mustang

8-15

_

-

24-37

10-18

-

5-15

30-40

13-25

-

-
Lincoln

Continental

_

_

-

25-35

-

25-35

4-9

20-30

_

10-15

8-12
Continental

Mark
III

Thunder bird

_

_

-

25-35

-

25-35

4-9

30-40

28-42

7-12

7-1?procarmanuals.com

05-03-05
Clutch

05-03-05

4.
Remove the bolt that secures the

left air vent control cable bracket to

the instrument panel. Position the

control cable to one side.

5.
Remove the retaining clip and

flat washer from the clutch pedal

shaft. Then, remove the shaft, bush-

ing, clutch pedal and brake pedal

from the support.

6. Remove the bushings from the

pedal shaft, and transfer the pedal

pad.

7.
Lubricate the clutch pedal shaft

bushings and position them on the

shaft. Then, position the brake pedal

and clutch pedal in the pedal support.

8. Install the flat washer and re-

taining clip on the pedal shaft.

9. Position the assist spring to the

pedal and bracket. Pry the bracket

forward and install the lower bolt.

Torque the bolts to specifications.

10.
Position the master cylinder

push rod, bushing, and washers on the

brake pedal and secure with a retain-

ing clip.

11.
Connect the equalizer rod to

the clutch pedal and secure it in place

with a retaining clip.

12.
Position the air vent control

cable bracket to the instrument panel

and secure with the attaching bolt.

13.
Adjust the clutch pedal free

travel.

EQUALIZER BAR AND/OR

BUSHING REMOVAL AND

INSTALLATION

FORD, MERCURY

AND METEOR

1.
Raise the vehicle and disconnect

the clutch pedal-to-equalizer rod at

the equalizer bar (Fig. 1).

2.
Disconnect the return spring and

retaining spring at the release lever.

Separate the release lever rod from

the release lever.

3.
Remove the equalizer bar frame

bracket from the frame.

4.
Remove the equalizer bar from

the pivot on the flywheel housing.

5.
Remove the wire clip to replace

the outer bushing and the snap ring
from the inner pivot stud to replace

the inner bushing.

6. Position the flat washer, felt

washer and bushing on the inner and

outer pivots. Secure these parts with

the snap ring.

7.
Position the equalizer bar on the

inner pivot and bolt the equalizer bar

frame bracket to the frame. Torque

the attaching bolts to specification.

8. Install the clutch release rod, re-

turn spring and retaining spring.

9. Connect the clutch pedal rod to

the equalizer bar.

10.
Adjust the clutch pedal free

travel.

MUSTANG, COUGAR,

MONTEGO, FALCON,

FAIRLANE (EXCEPT

MONTEGO AND FAIRLANE

WITH 390 V-8)

1.
Disconnect the clutch pedal

equalizer rod at the equalizer bar

(Figs.
2 and 3).

2.
Raise the vehicle and disconnect

the release lever, return spring at the

lever.

3.
Remove the equalizer bar outer

bracket and bushing assembly.

4.
Remove the release rod from the

equalizer bar, and then remove the

equalizer bar. Remove the bushing

and washers from the inner mounting

stud.

5.
Position the equalizer bar, wash-

ers,
inner bushing, and retainer on the

inner stud.

6. After positioning the outer bush-

ing, install the outer bracket (with the

equalizer bar in place).

7.
Connect the release rod and the

release lever return spring.

8. Lower the vehicle. Connect the

clutch pedal equalizer rod to the

equalizer baY and secure with the re-

taining pin.

9. Adjust the clutch pedal free trav-

el as required.

MONTEGO AND

FAIRLANE—390 V-8

1.
Disconnect the clutch pedal
equalizer rod at the equalizer bar (Fig.

2).

2.
Raise the vehicle and disconnect

the return spring at the release lever.

Disconnect the release lever rod from

the equalizer lever.

3.
Remove the equalizer bar center

bolt.

4.
Separate the equalizer bar and

remove both sections from the vehicle.

5.
Remove the bolts retaining the

equalizer bar inner bracket to the fly-

wheel housing and remove the bracket

and bushing assembly.

6. Remove the equalizer bar outer

bracket and bushing assembly.

7.
Remove the snap ring, bushing,

and felt washer from each bracket as-

sembly.

8. Position a felt washer, and bush-

ing on each bracket assembly and se-

cure with the snap ring.

9. Install the outer bracket and

bushing assembly to the frame (Fig.

2).
Torque the bracket attaching bolts

to specifications.

10.
Position the outer section of the

equalizer bar on the outer bracket

pivot.

11.
Connect the two sections of the

equalizer bar. Insert the inner bracket

pivot into the equalizer bar and install

the assembly to the flywheel housing.

Torque the attaching bolts to specifi-

cations.

12.
Install the equalizer bar center

bolt and torque to specifications.

Make sure that both ends of the

equalizer bar are against the felt

washers.

13.
Connect the release rod and the

release lever return spring.

14.
Adjust the clutch pedal free

travel.

15.
Lower the vehicle. Connect the

clutch pedal equalizer rod to the

equalizer bar and secure with the re-

taining clip.

16.
Check the free travel at the

pedal for conformance to specifica-

tions.
Readjust if necessary.

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

CLUTCH REMOVAL

1.
Raise the vehicle on a hoist.

2.
Disconnect the drive shaft from

the rear U-joint flange. Then, slide the

drive shaft off the transmission output

shaft. Insert the appropriate tool over

the output shaft and into the extension

housing oil seal.
3.
Disconnect the speedometer

cable from the extension housing.

4.
Disconnect the gear shift rods

from the transmission. If the vehicle is

equipped with a four-speed transmis-

sion, remove the bolts that secure the

four-speed transmission, disconnect

the front brake cable from the cross-

member and remove the crossmem-
member from the vehicle.

5.
Remove the bolts that attach the

transmission to the flywheel housing.

6. Move the transmission rearward

until the input shaft clears the fly-

wheel housing, then remove it from

the vehicle.

7.
Disconnect the clutch release

lever retaining spring from the release

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