Gen2 steering column has play in it

[tolincoln]

My gen to steering column has side to side and up and down play in it does anyone know how to repair this?

 

[whiplash15]

At some time or another it has been stressed too much, and one or more of the balls have fallen out of it. If you owned the car when this happened, and have recovered ALL of the balls, it can be rebuilt. If you dont have ALL of the balls, try picking one up at that famous auction site. They are listed on there from time to time. One other possible fault is that your column may not have the cable stops installed and it has extended too far. See TSB's

 

[tolincoln]

How do I put the ball bearings back in?

 

[bbrase]

How do I put the ball bearings back in?

I would also be interested in knowing.

 

[mafioso]

or take the old bearing cage and race and goto purvis bearing or any industrail bearing place.

 

[whiplash15]

Sorry, its not that easy. There are four slots and some(?) balls in each slot. The balls/slots allow the inner column works to glide in the outer works. Sometimes without the cable stops, the inner portion will extend too far and the balls begin to fall out. Most of the time the balls will end up on the drivers floor mat, sometimes in the lower rail stiffener at the bottom of the dash. It has been a long time ago but I remember a thread on MarkVIII.org addressing the "how to" repair the column - you'll just have to hunt for it. As a last resort, you might check with a lincoln stealership to see if they will still honor the TSB that covers the installation of the cables to limit the range.

 

[mafioso]

oo I didnt notice its a telescoping tilt wheel.