The Ford Barn

Tom Cavallaro · 02-09-2013, 09:31 AM

I have removed my steering column and would love to replace the spark and gas rods since they are no longer nickel. The problem is..the top rod bushing seems to be pressed on (no screws showing) and to knock out the old one..I'm
Afraid of destroying the column. Also, after shearing off the pins, do the rods just pull out? Thanks to all for any comments. Tom

Rich in Tucson · 02-09-2013, 11:36 AM

The rods may just pull out (still may require some serious pulling/wiggling) if you are lucky and if they are unmolested by previous removal/repair. Clean up any burrs/rust around pin holes first.

By molested I mean that someone may have wrapped duct tape, electrical tape, rubber hose, etc. around the rods as anti-rattlers. If they got carried away and overdid it with tape, the top bushing may have to be removed. Even original anti-rattler material can harden and fuse tightly to the rods and make it difficult to pull them through the top bushing.

Don't bend the rods while pulling/wiggling! Top bushings tend to swell and tighten in the column and removal may require serious pounding from below with a suitable hammer; I have made one out of sucker rod.

Tom Cavallaro · 02-10-2013, 03:54 PM

Thanks so much! I followed your instructions, but only was able to get one rod out about 14ins and the other 2ins. Tried to use a 1/2 steel rod to drive the top bushing out, but I don't think it has enough weight to get it to budge. I ordered my parts which include to new rods and the top bushing. Can I get in there with a saw blade to remove the bushing?

700rpm · 02-10-2013, 03:59 PM

Just soak the bushing with PB BLaster for a couple days, then tap it from the bottom with a 1-1/2" wooden dowel, like the kind used for curtain rods. A little heat might help loosen it up. Make absolutely sure it isn't held in with pins or screws or some other device. Go slowly for a more harmonious outcome.

Tom Wesenberg · 02-10-2013, 04:06 PM

I've been able to remove the bushing by using a long steel bar and shaking the column upsode down. The weight of the bar beating on the bushing has always knocked it out. This is on the 2 tooth with the column removed. If you have the 7 tooth then it needs to come all apart to get a long steel bar in from the bottom.

Tom Cavallaro · 02-10-2013, 05:16 PM

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It's a two tooth. It is all apart. I'm pretty sure it is pressed...can't find any screws to hold it in place. Tomorrow I'll try heating it up then tap on it again.
Thanks guys.

700rpm · 02-10-2013, 05:27 PM

Tom, it wouldn't be a press fit. It's probably just gummed up.

Tom Wesenberg · 02-10-2013, 05:36 PM

Potmetal can swell with age, and my 28 spark and throttle rods weere pretty tight due to swelling. I just keep lubing them and using them and they are OK now. No idea yet how tight the bushing will be when I remove it for a rebuild.

Tom Cavallaro · 02-10-2013, 05:37 PM

I have wd40 floating on top right now. It's pretty tight. Nt budging a hair so far.

Tom Wesenberg · 02-10-2013, 05:49 PM

Oops.....too late now, but WD-40 shouldn't be used on potmetal. Guys have reported that it can cause it to swell. You might try Kroil or PB Blaster.

Tom Cavallaro · 02-10-2013, 06:04 PM

Would never have thought that could be possible! Oh we'll, if that bushing is that soft..I should be able to use a hacksaw blade to cut a slot for relief.

Tom Wesenberg · 02-10-2013, 06:12 PM

It will probably be easier to drill a series of holes across the diameter of it.

Tom Cavallaro · 02-11-2013, 05:55 PM

Ok update. Got the rods out and was able to remove the upper bushing too. Now I can glass bead everything and prime and paint and it will be cured by the time my parts show up. Life is good! LOL. Thanks guys for directing...and giving me courage. Tom

02-09-2013, 09:31 AM	#1
Tom Cavallaro Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Barrington, NJ Posts: 280	Steering column... I have removed my steering column and would love to replace the spark and gas rods since they are no longer nickel. The problem is..the top rod bushing seems to be pressed on (no screws showing) and to knock out the old one..I'm Afraid of destroying the column. Also, after shearing off the pins, do the rods just pull out? Thanks to all for any comments. Tom

02-09-2013, 11:36 AM	#2
Rich in Tucson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 374	Re: Steering column... The rods may just pull out (still may require some serious pulling/wiggling) if you are lucky and if they are unmolested by previous removal/repair. Clean up any burrs/rust around pin holes first. By molested I mean that someone may have wrapped duct tape, electrical tape, rubber hose, etc. around the rods as anti-rattlers. If they got carried away and overdid it with tape, the top bushing may have to be removed. Even original anti-rattler material can harden and fuse tightly to the rods and make it difficult to pull them through the top bushing. Don't bend the rods while pulling/wiggling! Top bushings tend to swell and tighten in the column and removal may require serious pounding from below with a suitable hammer; I have made one out of sucker rod.

02-10-2013, 03:54 PM	#3
Tom Cavallaro Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Barrington, NJ Posts: 280	Re: Steering column... Thanks so much! I followed your instructions, but only was able to get one rod out about 14ins and the other 2ins. Tried to use a 1/2 steel rod to drive the top bushing out, but I don't think it has enough weight to get it to budge. I ordered my parts which include to new rods and the top bushing. Can I get in there with a saw blade to remove the bushing?

02-10-2013, 03:59 PM	#4
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,906	Re: Steering column... Just soak the bushing with PB BLaster for a couple days, then tap it from the bottom with a 1-1/2" wooden dowel, like the kind used for curtain rods. A little heat might help loosen it up. Make absolutely *sure* it isn't held in with pins or screws or some other device. Go slowly for a more harmonious outcome. __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

02-10-2013, 04:06 PM	#5
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Steering column... I've been able to remove the bushing by using a long steel bar and shaking the column upsode down. The weight of the bar beating on the bushing has always knocked it out. This is on the 2 tooth with the column removed. If you have the 7 tooth then it needs to come all apart to get a long steel bar in from the bottom.

02-10-2013, 05:16 PM	#6
Tom Cavallaro Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Barrington, NJ Posts: 280	Re: Steering column... Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) It's a two tooth. It is all apart. I'm pretty sure it is pressed...can't find any screws to hold it in place. Tomorrow I'll try heating it up then tap on it again. Thanks guys.

02-10-2013, 05:27 PM	#7
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,906	Re: Steering column... Tom, it wouldn't be a press fit. It's probably just gummed up. __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

02-10-2013, 05:36 PM	#8
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Steering column... Potmetal can swell with age, and my 28 spark and throttle rods weere pretty tight due to swelling. I just keep lubing them and using them and they are OK now. No idea yet how tight the bushing will be when I remove it for a rebuild.

02-10-2013, 05:37 PM	#9
Tom Cavallaro Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Barrington, NJ Posts: 280	Re: Steering column... I have wd40 floating on top right now. It's pretty tight. Nt budging a hair so far.

02-10-2013, 05:49 PM	#10
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Steering column... Oops.....too late now, but WD-40 shouldn't be used on potmetal. Guys have reported that it can cause it to swell. You might try Kroil or PB Blaster.

02-10-2013, 06:04 PM	#11
Tom Cavallaro Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Barrington, NJ Posts: 280	Re: Steering column... Would never have thought that could be possible! Oh we'll, if that bushing is that soft..I should be able to use a hacksaw blade to cut a slot for relief.

02-10-2013, 06:12 PM	#12
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Steering column... It will probably be easier to drill a series of holes across the diameter of it.

02-11-2013, 05:55 PM	#13
Tom Cavallaro Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Barrington, NJ Posts: 280	Re: Steering column... Ok update. Got the rods out and was able to remove the upper bushing too. Now I can glass bead everything and prime and paint and it will be cured by the time my parts show up. Life is good! LOL. Thanks guys for directing...and giving me courage. Tom