My 56 T- Bird telescoping Steering Column ?

Old Redneck

Old Redneck

Well-known member
I finally got it unscrewed but cannot move it up or down. Froze I guess. I use PB Blaster no help at all. What the best way to free it up? I need help on this.I did get the smaller steering wheel but have not put it on yet. Do have the old one off.
 
It’s been years since I pulled my column to rebuild and re chrome it, so I’m going by old memories. The outer jacket slides by loosening the collar as you’ve done. But there a slip coupling under the jacket in the engine compartment that could also be stuck. If I recall right you remove the wheel and the turn signal mechanism, loosen or remove the under dash support, and release the clamp under the hood at the steering box. Then I think the outer jacket will come off from the interior side. Whether the shaft will come out without it I can’t recall. Mine came apart without a lot of trouble, but it also released and adjusted without much of a problem. Hopefully someone with more recent experience or a better memory will chime in.
 
Smaller reproduction steering wheel...
The very upper end of the steering column center shaft and the inside of the original steering wheel hub have matching splines. There is one wide spline that aligns them in the original position.
I've heard the smaller style steering wheels don't have the wide spline to match which can make installation harder.

Telescoping?
The splined part of the steering shaft that accomplishes the telescoping movement is inside the chrome tube at the bottom where it joins with the splines of the steering box shaft. FYI, this joint also has a wide spline to index it, a one-way fit.
To get penetrating oil to that splined joint, put it down the very center of the steering shaft where the horn wire is, or was. That should carry the penetrating lubricant right to the splines.
 

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dmsfrr, I interpreted that he can’t get the column to move. It could be the “jacket” or whatever you’d call it, or it could be the slip joint in your picture. What I can’t remember is will that outer jacket pull off a shaft stuck at the splines in your picture. Then he’d be able to get right at it. I had mine all apart to take to the chrome shop, but don’t remember the sequence.
 
miker98038 said:
dmsfrr, I interpreted that he can’t get the column to move. It could be the “jacket” or whatever you’d call it, or it could be the slip joint in your picture. What I can’t remember is will that outer jacket pull off a shaft stuck at the splines in your picture. Then he’d be able to get right at it. I had mine all apart to take to the chrome shop, but don’t remember the sequence.
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The outer chrome cover over the steering shaft is normally clamped solid to the dash & pedal support bracket near the top, also clamped at the bottom to the steering box shoulder around that lower part of the shaft.

The parts that slide to 'telescope' are the two splined pieces of the inner shaft, after the chrome upper locking collar is loosened.

Removing the whole steering column assembly hopefully won't be necessary since the goal is just to get the telescoping function to work.
IF the lower/inner shaft splines remain stuck the steering column assembly can't be removed intact.

The turn-signal switch hardware could be removed along with whatever else is at the upper end of the collar & steering wheel hub. Then the chrome outer cover could be unclamped top & bottom and slid upward to expose the lower splined joint. Heat could be applied to help loosen those lower splines from each other.
I haven't needed to try that, was able to take the assembled steering column out with the steering wheel still on it. So I could remove the dashboard.

Another possible method ??? ...after the steering wheel, turn-signal switch and other parts (bearing?) are removed carefully attach a slide hammer to the steering shaft and use that to pull the shaft out.
>> This could be a bad idea and damage the bearings/bushings, gears and seals of the steering box.
.
 
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The CTCI attachment that was posted can be found in CTCI's Thunderbird Restoration Details and Specifications Manual, written by Gil Baumgartner. The manual also includes detailed instructions/w photos for removing, disassembling, reassembling, and installation of 55-57 Thunderbird steering columns. The manual can be purchased directly from CTCI or from one of the Tbird parts suppliers, like Larry's. I paid $180 for mine, not cheap, but I can't see doing any serious work without it.
 
I’ve been assisting old redneck
Just a follow up to this issue
Found that the column tube had been rechromed
There was an interference fit between the column tube and the sleeve
I was able to remove enough material from the inside diameter of the sleeve to get a slip fit
All is well in old Redneckville
A shout out to kultulz, one of the web items he posted talked about this.
 
I am bringing this back up because I need some advice. My 1956 steering wheel is all the way down. I have tried to turn the collar clockwise 1/2 turn but it does not budge. Is there a set screw or something I need to loosen first? Has anyone else experienced this? Would penetrating oil squirted down the middle after the steering wheel is removed reach that part?
 
34pickup said:
I am bringing this back up because I need some advice. My 1956 steering wheel is all the way down. I have tried to turn the collar clockwise 1/2 turn but it does not budge. Is there a set screw or something I need to loosen first? Has anyone else experienced this? Would penetrating oil squirted down the middle after the steering wheel is removed reach that part?
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If the ribbed chrome locking collar won't turn clockwise you may need a strap wrench or one of the specialty wrenches to turn it. There is no set screw to release it in normal operation. Its threads do get rusty from lack of use. Not sure where you'd put penetrating oil for that I haven't had to try it.

If the column still won't extend when you can loosening the locking collar, the splined connection at the base of the steering column may be stuck.
Below: example photos of the steering column shaft and steering box shaft. There are no stops or limits on upward movement at this joint.
Penetrating oil down the center of the steering shaft, where the horn wire is, may help with that.
 

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Whatever became of this exercise? Did you get it freed up?

I can find no service/repair info in the 1956 WSM.

I wonder if CTCI has a TECH ARTICLE?​
 
dmsfrr said:
They appear to only have this page about the steering column but it's Not for the same problem.

https://www.ctci.org/gilsgarage/1955-56-57-thunderbird-steering-column-repair/
.
Click to expand...

THANX! FOR THAT ...​

Have you come across any detail in the WSM? There has to be repair info somewhere. Maybe in a TSB of the period?

- TO WIT -​

Photo # 6 Shows the screw properly installed in the slot of tube assembly. If this screw is not installed the upper steering column can over extend and separate from the lower steering box tube resulting in a complete loss of steering.
Click to expand...

:eek: ... do what!?! ...​
 
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