Inside 62 Ranchero Steering Column

[a1tiguy]

Can someone tell me what part I'm missing here??...ust started working on a long list of things this new project needs, and those dogs need to ride on something to "hold" the parking lever at right or left through the turn?

But the part was missing, so I don't know what I'm looking for??

Thanks for any help!

Terry

[Luva65wagon]

It should hold due to a cam section on the very edge of the turn signal switch, which is below that shiny upper plate. It is held in place until the part mounted up under the steering wheel hits either of the little spring loaded parts and pushes it back to center. So, from this picture, I can't see anything broken or wore out below that shiny round part out on the very edge just past the switch. Attached is a picture of a new switch and you can see at the up/down/up plastic part the end of the shiny part rides up and down on. Yours might just be so worn it can't hold anything in place.

[a1tiguy]

It should hold due to a cam section on the very edge of the turn signal switch, which is below that shiny upper plate. It is held in place until the part mounted up under the steering wheel hits either of the little spring loaded parts and pushes it back to center. So, from this picture, I can't see anything broken or wore out below that shiny round part out on the very edge just past the switch. Attached is a picture of a new switch and you can see at the up/down/up plastic part the end of the shiny part rides up and down on. Yours might just be so worn it can't hold anything in place.

Ahhhh....so the resistance that's required to hold the lever in place during the turn or sitting at a light, for instance is actually in the switch itself? That was what I was missing! Sounds like a new switch is in order. Can you tell me what supplier offered up the picture you used? Someone must seek those? Thanks a bunch

[Luva65wagon]

Well, it's a part of the switch anyway. The internals of the switch have no friction, but that dimpled portion of the shiny metal part rides on the part of the switch that does. See that little c-clip on the shaft? I think that is supposed to have a spring under it to provide downward tension against the clip and the shiny part.

Any Falcon vendors will have the switch. FalconPartDOTcom; Melvin Classic Ford Parts; etc. I usually price check all of them.

[a1tiguy]

Well, there is a good chance that when I pulled that c-clip off, the spring may have jumped out and I missed it..I've already ordered a new switch for the heck of it, and will find a small spring and new clip to use when I put it back together. Actually may do that now, just to satisfy myself! Keep the new switch as a spare for later!

[Luva65wagon]

The spring may just be too weak as well. You can often pull on it to stretch it a bit.

Pay close attention to this spot on the switch, which is where the shiny plate rides and with downward spring tension should be enough to hold the plate in one of the valleys of this (there are 3 valleys - center, left turn, right turn). Just to make sure it's out there... the install is: switch, plate, spring, then clip. That clip is special to entrap the spring.

Good luck!

[a1tiguy]

I just went and pulled the plate to get a better look, and voila' that plastic section is almost completely worn down with no real peaks and valleys to trap the 'v' shaped bump on the back of the plate. It all makes sense to me now, and I can see the new switch is the fix, along with a new spring and c clip. Thank you again for you your patience and help!

Terry

[Luva65wagon]

That's what we're here for. Glad to help.

[a1tiguy]

Well, next hurdle....I've got a manual trans column, although someone has installed auto at some time...to make some extra room to thread the new wires for the turn signal switch, I'm tryin to remove the collar that has the gear shift lever attached. Can't figure out how to get that lever off?? Feels like it's connected to linkage no doubt? the lever looks like it has a pin that maybe is hex key? I'll take any advise you have today??

[Luva65wagon]

You do drive that pin out of the shift lever up at the collar with a pin punch (or similar). It's a friction-fit pin and once out the shift lever pulls out. Then you can dismantle the rest of the column. For what it's worth, you'll need to disconnect the turn signal wires under the dash and pull that harness up through the column next, then loosen the two 7/16 nuts - leaving a thread or two of the nut hanging on the bolt, then you can manipulate the bolt heads (below the collar) outward to get them to unhook from the column and pull up on the upper housing with the turn signal switch and all. There is an inner shift tube that runs to the levers under the hood, but I can't recall if it comes out without pulling the whole column up and out. It's been a while since I converted one, but have done three so far of my own.

I assume you're going for a shift-delete collar? You gonna fill the hole in the one you have - or do you have one from a floor-shift Falcon/Mustang/F100 (they're all the same in that era). I have a shift-delete collar assy I just found again (as I'm off-loading bins and bins of stuff into my new garage). It's about to get listed on eBay when I get a chance to clean it up. They bring about $70-100 depending on the demand and the time of day.