steering shaft movement

[Dothang67]

Since I bought the car a few months ago, the steering shaft has had some play and it doesnt feels normal, it feels like a bushing is worn or missing. In fact I dont have a turn signal switch, could that be the thing that allows the play between the shaft and the column?

As a sidenote, I will sent the steering box for a rebuild next month, does that could fix this problem?
My car is a 67 coupe, manual transmission and steering. I can upload a pic if you guys need it.

Thanks

 

[Dothang67]

anyone?

 

[red65]

It'd help if you could describe the "play" a bit more. Is the problem that you can turn the wheel some amount without the wheels steering, or can you grab the steering wheel and move it up and down?

The first - steering input without causing any actual steering - is generally caused by a worn steering box, but could be traced to worn steering linkage components like an idler arm, tie rod ends, center link, etc. I believe that a '67 has a "rag" joint or coupler in the steering shaft as well that could cause the same sort of sloppy feel if it's worn out. However, even the best conventional steering box and brand-new steering linkage on a vintage mustang results in a lot of play relative to a modern car (search for "rack and pinion" if you can't live with it - I couldn't).

The second - radial play at the steering wheel - is probably caused by either a worn bushing at the top of the steering column, or the spring that's supposed to preload that bushing is missing or broken. Removing the steering wheel and taking a look should answer that question pretty quickly. The steering shaft should be reasonably tight in the bushing at the top of the column, and the spring should seat a collar down into that bushing to keep it tight. You'll see how it works when you take it apart.

 

[spirockp]

Sounds like the bushing under the steering wheel is either missing or warn.

 

[ForceFed70]

Is this a tilt colum or standard?

 

[Dothang67]

The second - radial play at the steering wheel - is probably caused by either a worn bushing at the top of the steering column, or the spring that's supposed to preload that bushing is missing or broken. Removing the steering wheel and taking a look should answer that question pretty quickly. The steering shaft should be reasonably tight in the bushing at the top of the column, and the spring should seat a collar down into that bushing to keep it tight. You'll see how it works when you take it apart.

Yes, thats basically my problem, I took this picture a few weeks ago when I replaced the steering wheel. The back arrows indicate the directions where the shaft can be moved. I tried to search in some mustang suppliers web pages to see if I could find it, but I don't even know the name of that piece. Is the bushing you are taking about the one that is pointed by the blue arrow? If so, what is its name?

The column is a standard one.

 

[stanger53]

Looks like the bushing is there, but the spring is real weak compared to what is supposed to go there. Could be your spring doesn't have the tension to push the bushing down into the collar and center the steering shaft.

 

[Dothang67]

I haven't thought about it, that could fix the play.
But does the bushing looks normal? by seeing the picture it looks like its broken, or thats the way it is?

 

[red65]

Is the bushing you are taking about the one that is pointed by the blue arrow? If so, what is its name?

Yes - that's the bushing, and yes it's supposed to be split. I think Stanger53 is right - the spring doesn't look like the right one. The spring is supposed to maintain preload between the steering wheel and the bushing, forcing the bushing to seat. See how it's tapered? It has to seat to eliminate the play between the shaft and column. The spring that's supposed to be there looks almost like a valve spring for a lawnmower engine - it's pretty stout, not wiry like the one in your photograph.

As for what to call it - try "steering column tube bearing assembly" - at least that's what National Parts Depot calls it. Check page 68 of their latest catalog and see part numbers 3517, 3518 and 3520.

http://www.npdlink.com/modules.php?name=Mustang_Catalog&file=index&func=download

 

[Dothang67]

Thanks a lot for your help, now I can start searching that spring.

I did search "rack and pinion" posts, as you mention, and it seems that its a very nice upgrade; too bad it isn't on my budget, but I definitively will add it to the upgrade list.