Replace steering column

[tjenkse]

The steering wheel in my wife's 1999 Expedition is loose. Looks like the bearings in the upper steering column are shot so I need to replace the whole thing. I'll be playing this by ear, my book has no procecures for this. Anything I need to watch for? Also, when I put things back together, what should I torque fasteners like the pinch bolt to? Any info is really welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

[stamp11127]

All four support nuts are 10-12 ft/lbs
Steering column shaft bolt is 30-40 ft/lbs.

Haven't had mine out but did lower it for the heater core. It does have some weight to it. Be careful of the airbag while working on it.

 

[F1vel66a]

Also make sure you disconnect the shift cable prior to dropping it. That's a $50 oops if it by chance cracks the hard plastic

 

[tjenkse]

Thanks to stamp11127 and F1vel66a for your helpful replies. I put off this job until the truck became undriveable. Turns out I didn't have to replace the whole column. There's 2 tilt-wheel pivot bolts on either side of the ignition lock cylinder housing, remove those and then take the housing off the steering column. The 2 bearings press fit into the housing. The bearings had disintegrated. The only thing left was the outer races. The steering shaft was still useable, but the housing was chewed up. I replaced the houising and bearings and everything is fine. Agein, thanks for your help.