Question for the tilt column re-builders!

[Steve Cole]

What is the best way to separate the "bowl" (red arrow) from the "shaft" and "Jacket" (Green arrows) without damaging anything? I do not have the special tool called for in the manual, but many have said these tools are not needed to disassemble the column. Thanks for any help on this!

[turp mcspray]

Seems like when I did these (it's been awhile) I used a socket or piece of pipe or tubing of some kind, that would fit inside the bowl, and hammer on it to drive the tube out. They are kind of pressed together.

[FirstOwner69]

I's a little tricky separating things and also getting them back in place/registration. I used a 1" (I think 1") piece of wooden dowel about a foot long to drive the shaft out. I did this on 3 columns so far. I now have the proper tool but have not yet used it. Be sure the shift linkage arm is aligned with the slot at the bottom of the column housing.

Maybe Les (70shortfleet) or Kevin (KevsClassics) will chime in.

[swamp rat]

Give 70shortfleet a PM, he can probably help if you can figure it out.

[racerface]

Hey Steve, a member has used tools for sale. Cheykevy/Tilt Column Rebuild Tools /Kent- Moore. hope it helps.

[Already Gone]

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[Steve Cole]

Thanks for all the great tips guys! I was able to get it apart by driving the inner shaft down until it was flush with the part of the bowl that it is pressed into. Once flush, I used a hammer and a length of 1x2" wood to hit the base of the shift lever on the lower end of the column to drive it out the rest of the way. A 1" wood dowel like FirstOwner69 mentioned would have worked great but I didn't have one so I used a 1" socket and hit it lightly so it didn't get damaged. It is now completely disassembled except the upper bearings housing. I have the upper bearing out but the lower upper bearing I may clean and re-grease in place because I am afraid I will destroy the plastic ball retainer race trying to remove it.

I do have a question though:

IsANY part of the bearing housing exposed when the tilt function is used? There is a tapered line of newer looking black paint that looks like it may not have been exposed to sunlight all the time, like maybe only when the tilt is used. Look at the photo to see what I'm talking about. It looks like that area has been repainted with a brush before.

I'm trying to decide if that part needs to be powder coated or not. I wouldn't think it would be but just checking. Thanks

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by Steve Cole

I do have a question though:

IsANY part of the bearing housing exposed when the tilt function is used? There is a tapered line of newer looking black paint that looks like it may not have been exposed to sunlight all the time, like maybe only when the tilt is used. Look at the photo to see what I'm talking about. It looks like that area has been repainted with a brush before.

I'm trying to decide if that part needs to be powder coated or not. I wouldn't think it would be but just checking. Thanks


Attachment 1369605

The short answer is yes. The amount that shows depends on the tilt position. When down, almost the entire top shows and very little of the bottom shows. When up, almost the entire bottom shows and very little of the top shows.