1969 FORD MUSTANG turn signal

03-05-02
Steering Columns
And
Linkage

03-05-02

which also will shear away during
im-

pact.

TILT STEERING COLUMNS

The steering column
is of the col-

lapsible type
to
lessen
the
possibility

of injury
to the
driver
of the
vehicle

should
he
become involved
in an
acci-

dent.
The
lower
end of the
steering

column tube
at the
bellows area will

collapse approximately
six
inches

upon
a
hard impact.

The shift tube
and the
steering shaft

are provided with plastic dowels
and

will shear
and
allow them
to
collapse

in proportion
to the
outer tube upon

impact.

Once
the
steering column
has
been

collapsed,
a
complete
new
column
must
be
installed.

The tilt column features nine driv-

ing positions (four
up and
four down

from
a
center position).
The
.column

also features
a
turn signal switch with

a lane-changer position turn indicating

position
and
emergency warning flash-

er control.

TILT-AWAY STEERING COLUMNS

The tilt-away steering column
fea-

tures nine driving positions (four
up

and four down from
a
center position)

and
a
tilt-away position that
is
auto-

matically accomplished
on
Mustang

and Cougar models when
the
ignition

key
is
turned
to the
OFF
position
and

the left door
is
opened.
On
Thunder-

bird models,
the
tilt-away occurs when
the shift lever
is
placed
in
PARK
and

the driverns door
is
opened.

The steering column
is of the col-

lapsible type
to
lessen
the
possibility

of injury
to the
driver
of the
vehicle

should
he
become involved
in an
acci-

dent.
The
lower
end of the
steering

column tube
at the
bellows area will

collapse approximately
six
inches

upon
a
hard impact.

The shift tube
and the
steering shaft

are provided with plastic dowels
and

will shear
and
allow them
to
collapse

in proportion
to the
outer tube upon

impact.

Once
the
steering column
has
been

collapsed,
a
complete
new
column

must
be
installed along with mounting

brackets which will also shear away

during impact.

IN-VEHICLE ADJUSTMENTS
AND
REPAIRS

STEERING WHEEL SPOKE

POSITION ADJUSTMENT

When
the
steering gear
is on the

high point,
the
front wheels should
be

in
the
straight-ahead position
and the

steering wheel spokes should
be in

their normal position with
the
Pitman

arm pointing directly forward.
If the

spokes
are not in
their normal posi-

tion, they
can be
adjusted without
dis-

turbing
the
toe-in adjustment (Part

3-1).

STEERING WHEEL

REPLACEMENT

1.
Disconnect
the
negative cable

from
the
battery.

2.
Working from
the
underside
of

the steering wheel spoke, remove
the

crash
pad
attaching screws. Lift
the

crash
pad
from
the
wheel.
(On
Conti-

nental Mark
III
models,
pry out the

crash
pad
insert
and
remove
the two

screws that secure
the
crash
pad. Re-

move
the
crash
pad. On
models

equipped with steering wheel mounted

speed controls, refer
to
Group
16 for

removal instructions). Remove
the

horn ring
(if so
equipped)
by
turning

it counterclockwise.

3.
Remove
the
steering wheel
nut,

and then remove
the
steering wheel

with tool T67L-3600-A
(Fig. 1). 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

bearing
or the
collapsible column.

4.
Transfer
all
serviceable parts
to

the
new
steering wheel.

5.
Position
the
steering wheel
on

the shaft
so
that
the
alignment mark
on
the hub of the
wheel
is
adjacent
to

the
one on the
shaft. Install
a new

locknut
and
torque
it to
specifications.

6. Install
the
horn ring
(if so

equipped)
and
crash
pad.

STEERING COLUMN UPPER

BEARING REPLACEMENT

STATIONARY COLUMNS

Removal

1. Disconnect
the
horn wire
and the

turn indicator wires
at the
connector.

2.
Working from
the
underside
of

the steering wheel spoke, remove
the

two crash
pad
attaching screws. Lift

the crash
pad
from
the
wheel.
(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 controls, refer
to
Group
16 for

7oo/-T67L-3600-A
removal instructions). Remove
the

horn ring
(if so
equipped)
by
turning

it counterclockwise.

3.
Remove
the
steering wheel
at-

taching
nut.
Remove
the
steering

wheel using tool T67L-3600-A
(Fig.

1).
Do not use a
knock-off type steer-

ing wheel puller
or
strike
the end of

the steering shaft with
a
hammer.

Striking
the
puller
or
shaft will
dam-

age
the
bearing
or the
collapsible
col-

umn.

4.
Remove
the
turn indicator lever.

5.
Remove
the
turn signal switch

attaching screws. Lift
the
switch over

the
end of the
steering shaft
and
place

it
to one
side.

6. Remove
the
snap ring from
the

top
of the
steering shaft.

7.
Loosen
the two
flange-to-steering

column tube attaching bolts
to
disen-

gage them from
the
tube.

8. Raise
the
flange upward while

BEARING
AND

INSULATOR

Spacer

G 1502 -B

FIG.
1—Removing
Steering Wheel
G 1497-A

FIG. 2—Installing Upper Bearingprocarmanuals.com

03-05-03
Steering Columns And Linkage

03-05-03

tapping the steering shaft lightly with

a plastic hammer to free the bearing

and flange from the shaft.

9. Remove the bearing and insula-

tor from the flange.

Installation

1.
Install flange bolts (square head)

in flange if they were removed. Turn

the nuts onto the bolts one complete

turn only.

2.
Position the flange onto the

steering column tube.

3.
Engage the two flange bolt heads

with the square holes in the column

tube,
then tighten the two attaching

nuts to specification.

4.
Position the bearing and insula-

tor on the shaft. 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 the 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.

7.
Make certain that the wheels are

in the straight ahead position. Place

the steering wheel on the steering

shaft with the spokes in the horizontal
position. Install and torque the attach-

ing nut to specification.

8. Secure the crash pad to the

steering wheel with the two attaching

screws.

9. Connect the horn and turn signal

wires.

10.
Install the turn signal lever.

TILT WHEEL COLUMNS

Removal

1.
Disconnect the negative cable

from the battery.

2.
Remove the steering wheel with

tool T67L-3600-A (Fig. 1). Install the

spring, shipping spacer (3/4 x 1 1/8-

inch pipe) and a steering wheel attach-

ing nut on the shaft. 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 bearing or the

collapsible column.

3.
Remove the turn indicator lever

(Fig. 3).

4.
Remove the three screws that at-

tach the upper cover to the column

and remove the cover. It may be nec-

essary to rotate the cover approxi-

mately
1/4—1/2
inch to engage the

cover lip in the slot of turn signal

switch to permit clearance.
5.
Loosen the screw on the bottom

side and slide the lower cover down-

ward on the column (on Ford and

Mercury models, remove the shroud.)

6. Remove the screw that secures

the turn signal wire retaining clip to

the column and remove the clip.

7.
Remove the two screws that at-

tach the turn signal switch to the

steering column. Move the switch

wires upward enough to permit lifting

the switch over the end of the steering

shaft and lay the switch to one side.

Be careful not to lose the turn signal

lever pivot from the switch.

8. Compress the steering column

locking clamp with vise grip pliers

(Fig. 4) and move the steering shaft to

the full up position.

9. Hold the column position spring

rod with vise grip pliers to prevent flo-

tation then compress the spring and

remove the retainer. Remove the plas-

tic cover and spring.

10.
Install tool T67P-3D739-B as

shown in Fig. 4. Thread the bolt in-

ward finger tight until it bottoms, then

back it out one full turn. Make sure

that the handle is centered over the

pivot pin to prevent bolt breakage.

Hold the 3/8 inch bolt head station-

ary, then tighten the nut to extract the

pin. Repeat this operation on the op-

posite pin.

11.
Remove the nut, shipping spa-

UPPER

COVER

J

G 1498-B

FIG. 3—Typical Steering Column—Disassembledprocarmanuals.com

03-05-04
Steering Columns And Linkage

03-05-04

Shipping Spacer

(3/4 X 1-1/3 inch

Pipe)

TURN SIGNAL SWITCH

Too/-T65P-3D739-A

G 1468-3

FIG. 4—Removing Pivot
Pin

cer and spring from the steering shaft.

12.
With
the
steering column lock-

ing clamp still compressed, lift
the

upper flange from
the
column
by

working against
the
lower bearing

inner race.

13.
Place
the
flange
on the
bench

with
the
smaller bearing toward
the

bench (Fig.
5).
Drive lightly
on the

outer race
at
each slot with
a
small

pick.
To
remove the upper bearing in-

vert
the
flange
and
remove
the
larger

bearing
in the
same manner. Never

drive
or
apply pressure
to the
inner

race.

Installation

1.
Select
a
socket wrench that
is

the same diameter
of
each bearing

outer race. Position the bearing on the

upper flange with the open side facing

inward. Place
the
socket
on the
outer

race
and tap the
bearing into place.

Be careful not
to
contact
the
bearing

inner race
as
damage will result.

2.
Compress
the
column release

lever with vise grips
to
place the lock-

ing levers
in the
release position.

3.
Position
the
flange
on the
upper

end
of
the shaft being careful
to
apply

pressure only
on the
upper bearing

inner race
to
prevent bearing damage.

4.
Install new pivot pins
to
assure
a
satisfactory press-fit
as
shown
in Fig.

6 with
a
C-clamp.
The
pivot pins

should have
a
clearance
of
0.005 inch

between
the
shoulder
and
casting

when properly installed.
A
clearance

of less than 0.005 inch may create
a

bind
in the
tilt mechanism.
If
one pin

presses
in
before
the
other, place
a

spacer washer over the head
of
the pin

that has already positioned
to
prevent

over pressing while still pressing
the

other one into position.

5.
Move
the
tilt mechanism
to the

uppermost position
and
remove
the

vise grip pliers
to
lock
it in
place.

6. Position
the
release spring
rod

and hold
it
up
as
high
as
possible with

vise grip pliers. Place
the
spring
and

cover
in
place
on the
upper flange.

Compress
the
spring
and
install
the

retainer. Remove the vise grip pliers.

7.
Depress
the
column release lever

with pliers
and
place
the
tilt mecha-

nism
in the
center position.

8. Position
the
turn signal switch

and install
the
two attaching screws.

9. Pull
the
wires into place and
in-

stall
the
plastic retaining clip.

10.
Slide the lower cover into place.

Tighten
the
screw attaching the lower

cover
to the
column. Make sure
the

rotating socket casting does
not rub

on
the
lower cover.
(On
Ford
and

Mercury models, replace
the
shroud.)

11.
Position the upper cover
on the
column
and
install
the
two attaching

screws.

12.
Install
the
combination turn

signal
and
tilt mechanism lever.

13.
Install
the
steering v/heel
and

the crash pad.

14.
Connect
the
negative cable
to

the battery. Check the turn signal and

tilt mechanism
for
proper operation.

BEARING OUTER

RACE

SLOT

G 1448-A

FIG. 5—Removing Ball Bearingsprocarmanuals.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

03-05-09

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