40 Ford steering column removal

[Gezer]

Can anyone give me some details on how to step by step, remove the steering column from my 40 Ford 2Dr sedan. Do I have to take the steering gear out too? Thanks

[Ken/Alabama]

Disconnect battery cable. Disconnect the horn wire under the hood at the steering box, Remove steering wheel,remove wires from ignition switch , turn key to the unlock position. Under the hood, remove shift rods , remove the housing at the end of the shift tube and remove the shift levers from the tube. Loosen the clamp at the bottom of the column where it meets the steering box. Then from inside the car slide the column from the steering shaft. It might be necessary to loosen the bolts that hold the steering box to the frame to allow the column to drop down from the dash. When you put it back , tighten the column drop at the dash before you retighten the steering box bolts. This keeps from causing binding of the steering shaft.

[JSeery]

A manual might be a good investment.

[Gezer]

Thanks.
Can the steering shaft come out too? Or, does the steering box have to come out with it?

[Gezer]

What manual would you suggest to cover most or all topics for the40?
I have a1932-1942 Ford/Merc Shop Manual Service Hand Book. It is Green.
Not much detail on the "How to do it stuff"

[JSeery]

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The steering box comes out the bottom and the box and steering column shaft are a unit.

I'll let some of the 40 Ford guys suggest the best manuals, I use a 49-52 F-Series manual. Most of this stuff is similar enough that it works for me.

[19Fordy]

It was many years ago, but as best I can recall I removed the entire column and box by literally turning the column drop bolts clock wise until they snapped off - as they are one way bolts and can't be turned CCW. Also, disconnected the pitman arm and the shift linkages, steering wheel and slid the seat back as far as it would go. The shift lever also has to be removed. Then, the entire assembly came out from the bottom of the car by removing the floorboard sheet metal pieces. Be sure to cover your front seat so it won't get greasey and dirty. Think through what procedure you will follow before going forward. I replaced the broken bolts with Grade 5 bolts so under stress they would flex and not snap. The silver colored button you see under the dash is the starter button. The original button is not hooked up.

[Ken/Alabama]

The column drop bolts are just 5/16 bolts. All of them I've ever seen is screwed into the column drop from inside the back of the dash. In other words just the opposite of your photo. The column drop should have threaded holes.

[russcc]

The steering column & mast jacket removal was covered in a post I put up recently. As the Fordbarners suggest, the lower column clamp off, shift mechanism off the lower column, remove the steering wheel, horn button/wire. Inside, remove the ignition s/w wires, remove the 2 5/16-24 SAE hex head bolts holding the column drop to the dash. (A flex ratchet wrench works well in this tight space), up & out.

[19Fordy]

Ken,
You are correct. For some reason (42 years ago) I screwed
the bolts in from the bottom and used washers and nuts on the other side. Didn't realize I was incorrect until you just pointed it out. Thanks.