Re: How to Remove Steering Wheel Trim and Wires
Posted by Packard 1948 On 2015/6/17 10:59:56
>The wires go into what are called Wade connectors and it can be a real pain to remove the terminals from the plugs without breaking the old plastic. The single circuit with a wire in - wire out connectors are still available new but I don't believe the ones with 3 or more wires like those used there are available so be careful.
THANKS Howard...Yes...I found out the hard way...the plastic connector breaks. I had to pull REALLY HARD to separate the wire with it's spade plug to get it out of the socket.
Anyhoo...to answer my own question on how to remove the steering gear so you (me) can replace the front cover seal that was leaking oil...the steering gear has a long steel shaft that goes up to the steering wheel. You have to unhook three wires for the directional signals (turn signal), remove the horn center Packard emblem (push in and turn 1/4 turn counter clockwise), unscrew and remove horn chrome trim, unbolt and remove steering wheel (using steering wheel puller), remove cotter pin and steel pin that connects the shifter lever, then unbolt and slide off the decorative steering column housing that the gear shifter and turn signal mechanisms are connected to and this will reveal two housings (steel tubes).
One tube contains the steel steering shaft and the other contains the shifter rod and lever mechanism. Disconnect the two threaded links that connect the shifter throw levers to the transmission gear levers and the third lever that connects to the steering gear (installed for reason unknown to me), then unclamp the steering column lower tube from the steering gear, remove the brake and clutch rubber pads, remove the carpet and the rubber grommet that seals the firewall, then pull the two tubes up into the car and carry them to a waiting padded bench...but first make sure the seat and interior are covered so that the greasy steering shaft does not mark the upolstry....then...FINALLY...one can get access to the steering box, unbolt the pitman arm (because the pitman arm will get hung up on the brake steel line if it is not removed, unbolt the steering gear to chassis bolts and pull the steering gear up through the dash (firewall) and into the car...OR... it can be pulled forward a LONG WAY until the steel shaft clears the firewall.
I guess I could have tried to just move the steering gear up over the chassis (without actually removing it) to gain access to the front seal however I wanted to clean and inspect it to be safe anyway.
My engine and trans were out so this was not that significant of a job...if the engine is installed...good luck.
Cheers!!!
Bill
Attach file:
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THANKS Howard...Yes...I found out the hard way...the plastic connector breaks. I had to pull REALLY HARD to separate the wire with it's spade plug to get it out of the socket.
Anyhoo...to answer my own question on how to remove the steering gear so you (me) can replace the front cover seal that was leaking oil...the steering gear has a long steel shaft that goes up to the steering wheel. You have to unhook three wires for the directional signals (turn signal), remove the horn center Packard emblem (push in and turn 1/4 turn counter clockwise), unscrew and remove horn chrome trim, unbolt and remove steering wheel (using steering wheel puller), remove cotter pin and steel pin that connects the shifter lever, then unbolt and slide off the decorative steering column housing that the gear shifter and turn signal mechanisms are connected to and this will reveal two housings (steel tubes).
One tube contains the steel steering shaft and the other contains the shifter rod and lever mechanism. Disconnect the two threaded links that connect the shifter throw levers to the transmission gear levers and the third lever that connects to the steering gear (installed for reason unknown to me), then unclamp the steering column lower tube from the steering gear, remove the brake and clutch rubber pads, remove the carpet and the rubber grommet that seals the firewall, then pull the two tubes up into the car and carry them to a waiting padded bench...but first make sure the seat and interior are covered so that the greasy steering shaft does not mark the upolstry....then...FINALLY...one can get access to the steering box, unbolt the pitman arm (because the pitman arm will get hung up on the brake steel line if it is not removed, unbolt the steering gear to chassis bolts and pull the steering gear up through the dash (firewall) and into the car...OR... it can be pulled forward a LONG WAY until the steel shaft clears the firewall.
I guess I could have tried to just move the steering gear up over the chassis (without actually removing it) to gain access to the front seal however I wanted to clean and inspect it to be safe anyway.
My engine and trans were out so this was not that significant of a job...if the engine is installed...good luck.
Cheers!!!
Bill
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