locking steering column
 

Can anyone tell me what years Ford used the locking steering column? I am thinking early to mid 30's into the 40's, but I am not sure. how can you determine year? and lastly, does any one make a reproduction of these? any information anyone can provide will be appreciated. Thank you. --Jim

Re: locking steering column
 

1932-1947.The different years appear very often on that auction site.Maybe some one has pics to post which would help.

Re: locking steering column
 

I was told by someone ( can't remember who) that these columns are being reproduced, but they did not know who was doing it. that is why I ask about the reproduction. are any of the columns better than another? still looking to find how to I.D. the year/ differences. Thanks----Jim

Re: locking steering column
 

None being reproduced as far as I know.You need to figure out the application that suits what you are looking for.'32 -'39 are floor shift .1940 - 47 are column shift.Commercial applications are another thing.'41-'47 pass car are the same.Look up one of those car years and there might be a pic of the dash so you can see what those look like. From the bottom of the dash to center of column varies.The angle from the dash to column tube varies also.Just go on that auction site and type in 1932 etc, Ford ignition column drops in the search window for a start.I just looked and there are 4 styles you can see now.

Re: locking steering column
 

Thanks deuce lover, I will ck it out.---Jim

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Jim-

They are not that hard to make up. Over the years I have made up several '35-'36 tubes using tail pipe stock.

Tom

Re: locking steering column
 

The tube is one part, the cast drop bracket is another part, the steering shaft is a component as well. The only parts I know of that are reproduced are some of the bits and pieces to make the drop bracket functional as an ignition switch and key cylinder assembly.

Re: locking steering column
 

Ok thanks everyone. I am pretty much uneducated on these things. is the lock just an ignition switch lock, or does it actually lock and un-lock the steering column. thanks for being patient and helping me to understand how these things work. never had a vehicle that had one in it. my 29 did not have one, ( to early) and my 46 had a chevy column in it (was in it when I bought it). all my other cars were 50's or 60's. Thanks ----Jim

Re: locking steering column
 

The steering column shaft has a collar on it with a groove.
When you turn the key, there is a post or button that moves into the groove to lock the column, or out of the groove to unlock the column.
There is also a toggle lever on the drop bracket that when flipped ON will power the ignition and of course when flipped OFF will kill the engine.

The toggle will only work when the key is turned to unlock the column (so you don't accidentally start the car with the steering locked), however you can switch the toggle off without locking the wheels.

Attachment 219945

Re: locking steering column
 

Thank you Scott. I appreciate it very much.

Re: locking steering column
 

I'll have to do this one-at-a-time as my iPad won't let me post multiple pics in one post.

This is what the groove/slot looks like on the steering column shaft:
Attachment 219972

Re: locking steering column
 

This is an assembled drop with the key and the toggle in the OFF position. You can clearly see the pin protruding into the column.
Attachment 219973

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Key on, toggle off:
Attachment 219974

Re: locking steering column
 

Key on, toggle/ignition on
Attachment 219975

Re: locking steering column
 

Thank you Scott, one more question if I may. can you remove the key in the on and the off position, or just the off position? Thank you. I am learning valuable information. I am sure this is pretty basic stuff, if you have been around it much. your information is much appreciated.----Jim

Re: locking steering column
 

to remove the key the ignition toggle must be off and then the key must be turned to lock the column.

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I had a 1925-T with a locking tilting steering wheel. They were made for Henry Ford by a company in Tennessee.

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Alaska Jim.. It might help if you were a little more specific as to what year vehicle you are working on, i.e. looking for a column.
Generally speaking if you want a column shift for a '30-40 model of a car/pickup you will need a '40 Ford column. As it has been stated '41-48 are the same, with slight differences in the column drop and key/lock arrangement.
None of the pre '50 pickups had column gear shifts. I have done a couple of '36-37 Ford pickup conversions to column shift, using '57 F100 columns which I modified to fit the '37 shaft. My object was to incorporate turn signals into the column. Of course I had to use a later model steering wheel.. and I had to eliminate the locking collar off of the steering shaft.
I have a '40 column in my '36 Ford coupe with a '47 wheel. The steering gears are also '40. With just a little tweaking everything bolted together like it came from the factory. I did remove the locking collar from the steering shaft because of a minor alignment issue with the lock, I also don't care for the steering wheel locking feature on the Early Ford V8's..

Re: locking steering column
 

Wish this thread was two days older. I was trying to remove a broken key from my 39 column Monday and only managed to shear off the end flush with the rotating slot. Just checked and found the switch was in the on position. Paying the price of ignorance yet again...

Re: locking steering column
 

Blucar, I am considering the purchase of a 1930 ford hotrod ( I know this may offend some ) it has one of the locking column's in it. I have not seen the car in person yet. I have been told that the key will not turn to release the key, and the column is not locked. that is one of the reasons I ask about I.D.ing the column as to what year it maybe. If I make the purchase, I will need to know how to make repairs. that is why I ask about the proper operation. I am a retired Mechanic, so I will be able to figure it out, just need a little information. I want to thank everyone for their comments. If the purchase is made I will try to post pictures. ----Thank you.---Jim

Re: locking steering column
 

Jim,
no problem. there should be a locking pin on the underside of the drop. drill out the locking pin and the lock cylinder will come straight out. Should take you all of 3-5 minutes, if the problem is just with the key cylinder.
There is a slide inside the drop that may be rusted/frozen. That will take a little more effort once you have the key cylinder out. I just went through this with a drop I'm working on for my truck.

Re: locking steering column
 

Thank You.

Re: locking steering column
 

Via post #11's pic, does the steering wheel have to be aligned a certain way for the column to then lock?

Re: locking steering column
 

Yes...In the center of that #11 picture is a steering shaft with an attached locking collar. The steering wheel is keyed and locked on a tapered and threaded end of this shaft. This collar is held in place by two set screws that thread into the locking collar. These screws have non threaded ends that go into non threaded holes in the steering shaft. These screws keep the locking collar in place on the shaft. The locking collar has one rectangular slot (as shown in picture posted in #11), that a locking pin (as shown in picture posted in #12), located in the column drop, can slide in and out of as the key is turned in either direction, when the toggle lever is in the "off" position. Clear as mud? :)

Re: locking steering column
 

Actually- quite clear. :)
So… is the correct procedure to turn the key, then turn the wheel until the lock clicks in & the shaft is locked? Then you can remove the key? Is the 'correct' position 'straight ahead'?

My '40 has the key in place, it turns but doesn't want to remove… but the wheel isn't locked. Either the pin is frozen 'up' or I haven't turned the wheel to the correct position for the pin to drop (haven't driven it yet, haven't run the wheel a full revolution either).

Re: locking steering column
 

you've got it. The pin is not in the locked position. Spray some WD 40 in there and turn the column using the steering wheel while working the lock switch. As you've stated above, the pin has to be in side the hole in the column before the key will come out.

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Seems by looking at that one pic above, it has one dedicated position to be in for the pin to drop into the rectangular slot on the column...

Re: locking steering column
 

The pin is spring loaded in the locking pin assembly; the key can be turned to the lock position and removed in any wheel position; if the wheel is turned thereafter the pin will engage once the slot is aligned.

Re: locking steering column
 

While messing with my 1937 Ford, I accidentally forced the wheel against the lock and the shaft was apparently liberated from the pin. The wheel seemed to turn freely. Not sure if it was turning the tires. I unlocked the column and took the car for a short ride around the block and it steered fine. I took out the key and then turned the wheel until the pin fell in the hole. It seems to be locked now just like it used to be. Did I screw up this lock/pin combo?

Re: locking steering column
 

There were at least half a dozen passenger car steering column brackets that served as the ignition switch and column lock prior to WWII plus commercial vehicle and big truck versions. As far as I know, only the 1932 passenger car/commercial vehicle version has been reproduced in its entirety.