03-05-07
Steering Columns And Linkage
03-05-07
the steering column
(F in Fig. 8).
7.
Disconnect
the
transmission shift
rod
at the
shift tube.
8. Working under
the
hood, install
the aligning spacer (Fig.
9)
around
the
visible portion
of the
steering shaft
and slide
it up the
shaft into
the
steer-
ing column.
It may be
necessary
to
move
the
shaft back
and
forth
to
com-
pletely install
the
spacer.
9.
At
this point
the
steering column
assembly, being loose,
may
have
dropped toward
the
steering gear
grounding
the
steering shaft
on the
steering gear input shaft.
To
properly
establish
the
steering shaft
to
steering
gear clearance, insert
a 1/8
diameter
rod
or
drill through
the
opening
in the
upper half
of the
flex coupling.
10.
Tighten
to a
snug
fit
(approxi-
mately
2-3
ft-lb)
the
nuts retaining
the
toe plates
to the
dash panel
(B in Fig.
8).
11.
If the
aligning spacer cannot
be
rotated freely,
the
dash panel holes
must
be
filed
or
reamed
for
greater
travel
(as
mentioned
in the
second
paragraph
at the
beginning
of
this
procedure).
12.
Tighten
all
nuts
and
bolts
(noted
as C, D and E in
Fig.
8) in the
passenger compartment
to a
snug
fit
(approximately 2-3 ft-lb). Again check
aligning spacer
for
looseness. Perform
these tightening operations
in
alpha-
betical order.
13.
Tighten
the
lateral adjustment
bolt
(F in Fig. 8) to
snug
fit.
Again
check
the
aligning spacer
for
loose-
ness.
14.
Tighten
all
bolts and nuts
to the
proper torque value (listed
in Fig. 8)
in alphabetical order.
15.
Remove
the
steering shaft
al-
igning spacer.
16.
Remove
the 1/8
diameter
rod or
drill previously inserted
in the
flex
coupling.
17.
Reinstall
the
trim
at the
instru-
ment panel
to
steering column mount-
ing.
LINCOLN CONTINENTAL
If
a
condition
of
high shift
or
steer-
ing effort
is
experienced
it may be
caused
by
improper alignment
of the
energy absorbing steering column.
The
following procedures outline
the
steps
necessary
to
correctly realign either
fixed
or
tilt columns:
1.
Disconnect
the
battery.
2.
Loosen four
toe
plate attaching
nuts (Fig.
10).
3.
Loosen
one toe
plate
to
steering
column clamp bolt
and nut.
Check
alignment
of
steering shaft
to
shift
-HANDLE PORTION
2-3/4"
-*- 3/4"
BEND AROUND
STEERING SHAFT
DIMENSION
A:
STANDARD COLUMN 7/16"
TILT WHEEL COLUMN
1-1/8"
•2-3/4
FABRICATE ALIGNING SPACER OUT OF
PLASTIC SHIPPING COLLAR PROVIDED
ON SERVICE DRIVESHAFTS, OR OUT
OF
1/32"—1/16" CARDBOARD
STEERING SHAFT
ALIGNMENT SPACER-BEND AROUND
STEERING SHAFT (DIMENSION
A)
AND
SLIDE UP THE SHAFT INTO COLUMN
G1537-A
FIG. 9—Aligning Spacer Fabrication
and
Insertion
BRAKE PEDAL
SUPPORT BRACKET
PART
A-TOE PLATE
B-CLAMP
C-C0LUMN BRACKET
D-BRAKE PEDAL
SUPPORT BRACKET
TORQUE VALUE
8-12 FT. LB.
3-5 FT. LB.
10-15
FT.
LB.
8-12 FT. LB.
G1541-A
FIG. 10—Steering Column Alignment Locations
and
Torque
Specifications—Lincoln Continentalprocarmanuals.com
