steering column

When I turn my key. It feels like really hard to turn. Can anyone tell me or show me how to take the column apart and replace what needs to be replaced.

Hey Broncoboyer

Can I assume you have used WD-40 or the like in the key slot?

Also before tearing into the column, check the ign. switch, and the rod that actuates it on the top of the column near the base.

The rod could be bent and binding , or the switch could be tight.

Good Luck

yo B,
Is it a tilt column?

anyway, look @ this and see if it applies to your 90 Bronco;
TSB 95-23-12 Non-Tilt Key Hard to Turn in Cold

Publication Date: NOVEMBER 20, 1995

LIGHT TRUCK: 1988-91 BRONCO, ECONOLINE, F SUPER DUTY, F-150-350 SERIES
MEDIUM/HEAVY TRUCK: 1988-95 F & B SERIES

ISSUE: The ignition key may be hard to turn in cold temperatures on trucks equipped with fixed (non-tilt) steering columns. This occurs because the column lock actuator may not be properly lubricated.

ACTION: Lubricate the column lock actuator with silicone lubricant. Refer to the following procedures for service details.

REMOVAL
1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.
2. Remove the steering wheel. Refer to the appropriate model year Bronco, Econoline, F-Series Service Manual, Section 13-06 for 1988-90 models and Section 11-04A for 1991 models. Refer to the 1991 F-FT-B 600, 700, 800 Service Manual, Section 13-06 and Section 11-04A for 1992-95 F & B Series vehicles.
3. Remove the two (2) bolts attaching the steering column support brackets to the pedal support bracket.
4. Mark the location of the ignition switch and remove it.
5. Remove the turn signal lever and turn signal switch.
6. Remove the lock cylinder.
7. Remove and throw away the snap ring from the upper steering shaft.
8. Using a light hammer, gently tap the steering shaft until the upper bearing is loose. Remove the upper bearing.
9. Loosen the upper ****** retention nuts until one or two threads remain engaged.
a. Pinch the nuts toward the shaft.
b. Remove the upper ****** from the outer tube.
10. Remove the column lock actuator.

INSTALLATION
1. Clean the grease from the column lock actuator and upper ****** using parts cleaner (F3AZ-19579-SA) or equivalent.
2. Apply silicone lubricant (COAZ-19553-AA) or equivalent to the column lock actuator and upper ****** where the actuator slides.
3. Install the column lock actuator into the upper ******.
4. Install the upper ****** onto the outer ******.
5. Install the steering wheel onto the steering shaft and hand tighten the steering wheel nut.
6. Pull up on the steering wheel until the steering column expands about 10mm (0.375").
7. Remove the steering wheel.
8. Press the upper bearing onto the steering shaft.
9. Install a new snap ring (DOAZ-3C610- B) on the steering shaft.
10. Using a small hammer, gently tap the steering shaft until the upper bearing is seated into the upper ******.
11. Install the lock cylinder.
12. Install the turn signal switch and turn signal lever.
13. Install the ignition switch.
14. Install the two (2) bolts attaching the steering wheel bracket to the pedal bracket.
15. Install the steering wheel.
16. Connect the battery ground cable.

PART NUMBER PART NAME
COAZ-19553-AA Silicone Lubricant
F3AZ-19579-SA Metal Brake Parts Cleaner
DOAZ-3C610-B Snap Ring

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
SUPERSEDES: 91-6-5
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Basic Warranty Coverage

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
952312A Lubricate Actuator 0.7 Hr.
by Ford

--
and;


80-86 Truck Steering Columns
IF THE IMAGE IS TOO SMALL, click it.

The steering wheel, the bracket/tray 3676, and the intermediate shaft & rag joint (3B676) are the differences for 87-91
by Steve
--

Overview; "...The actuator rod on tilt columns is a culprit. The key turns a rod via a rack. The rod goes over the pin sticking out of the rod pictured above. That part wraps up over the column where yet another rod goes into it that travels down the top of the column to a remote mounted switch block. This block actually makes contact. The Aluminum piece above breaks and you no longer can push that rod. The longer straight section going to the top right of that picture is there only for the ignition lock (that little lever under the column you need to use to get your key back)... read more; MIESK5 NOTE, Below the cylinder and key (11582) in the ****** is a brass gear (3E717), flat bearing (3E700) and snap ring (3C610). these three parts are the same from 1976 thru 1996. Turn the key, the brass gear works with the "steering column lock actuator" (3E723) that controls the rod (11A599) to the ignition switch. If the brass gear is stripped, the ignition switch itself won't work, because without that brass gear...the rod won't actuate the switch
Source: by shift1313 (Matt) at Ford Bronco Zone Forums

Overview; "...The ignition rod is attached the upper ignition actuator by a 3/32 x 38 roll pin ($0.12 each) and the rod needs to be straight so it travels enough to trigger the igniton switch but it's a chore to take it off as you need to remove the steering wheel and tear it down to the (Tilt or Non-Tilt) knuckle, usually down when you replace a broken upper ignition actuator. The ignition switch located on the lower part of the steering column has slots so it can be adjusted by loosening the 2 -7/16 nuts and move it up or down but a lot depends on what's wrong up top with some of the other parts, ie: ignition rod, key cylinder, lower igniton actuator and upper igniton actuator. These parts are timed so when you turn the key to RUN they all need to move forward/downward so the rod triggers the igniton switch to START the BKO..."; MIESK5 NOTE, Below the cylinder and key (11582) in the ****** is a brass gear (3E717), flat bearing (3E700) and snap ring (3C610). these three parts are the same from 1976 thru 1996. Turn the key, the brass gear works with the "steering column lock actuator" (3E723) that controls the rod (11A599) to the ignition switch. If the brass gear is stripped, the ignition switch itself won't work, because without that brass gear...the rod won't actuate the switch
Source: by JKossarides ("The Bronco", Jean)

ignition actuator Removal & Installation in 87-91 (figure 1) (also applies to 80-91 w/Tilt; Non-Tilt do not have the Actuator Rod)
Source: by Broncobill78 (Dave) at Ford Bronco Zone Forums http://broncozone.com:80/forums/index.php?showtopic=14120



Steering column installation for all models, except F-Super Duty stripped chassis and motor home chassis
http://content.chiltonsonline.com/content/images/8492/images/84928065.pdf


1.Set the parking brake.


2.Disconnect the battery ground cable.


3.Unbolt the intermediate shaft from the steering column.


4.Disconnect the shift linkage rod(s) from the column.


5.Remove the steering wheel.


If you have a tilt column, the steering wheel MUST be in the full UP position when it is removed.

6.Remove the floor cover screws at the base of the column.


7.Remove the steering column shroud by placing the bottom ***** in the No.1 position and pulling the shroud up and away from the column.


8.On automatics, remove the shift indicator cable.


9.Remove the instrument panel column opening cover.


10.Remove the bolts securing the column support bracket to the pedal support bracket.


11.Disconnect the turn signal/hazard warning harness and the ignition switch harness.


12.Lift the column from the truck.


13.Remove the column support bracket


To install:

14.Install the column support bracket making sure that the wiring is outboard of the column. Tighten the nuts to 35 ft. lbs. (47 Nm).


15.Start the floor cover clamp bolt and press the plate until the clamp flats touch the stops on the column outer tube.


16.Install the column through the floor opening.


17.Connect the turn signal/hazard warning and ignition harnesses.


18.Raise the column and install the 2 support bolts.


19.Tighten the floor cover bolts to 10 ft. lbs. (13 Nm).


20.Tighten the support bracket bolts to 25 ft. lbs. (34 Nm).


21.Tighten the cover plate clamp bolt to 18 ft. lbs. (24 Nm).


22.Install and adjust the shift indicator cable, on automatics.


23.Install the instrument panel column opening cover.


24.Install the column shroud.


25.Tighten the shroud bottom ***** to 15 inch lbs. (1.7 Nm).


26.Connect the shifter rod(s).


27.Connect the intermediate shaft. Tighten the bolt to 50 ft. lbs. (68 Nm).
----------------


Ignition Lock Cylinder (1) REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
1990 Ford BRONCO
Submodel: | Engine Type: V8 | Liters: 5.8
Fuel Delivery: FI | Fuel: GAS
With Key
1. Disconnect the battery ground.
2. On tilt columns, remove the upper extension shroud by unsnapping the shroud from the retaining clip at the 9 o'clock position.
3. Remove the trim shroud halves.
4. Unplug the wire connector at the key warning switch.
5. Place the shift lever in PARK and turn the key to ON .
6. Place a 1 ⁄ 8 in. (3mm) wire pin in the hole in the casting surrounding the lock cylinder and depress the retaining pin while pulling out on the cylinder.
7. When installing the cylinder, turn the lock cylinder to the RUN position and depress the retaining pin, then insert the lock cylinder into its housing in the ****** casting. Assure
that the cylinder is fully seated and aligned in the interlocking washer before turning the key to the OFF position. This will allow the cylinder retaining pin to extend into the
cylinder cast housing hole.
8. The remainder of installation is the reverse of removal.
Non-Functioning Cylinder or No Key Available
FIXED COLUMNS
1. Disconnect the battery ground.
2. Remove the steering wheel.
3. Remove the turn signal lever.
4. Remove the column trim shrouds.
5. Unbolt the steering column and lower it carefully.
6. Remove the ignition switch and warning buzzer and pin the switch in the LOCK position.
7. Remove the turn signal switch.
8. Remove the snap ring and T-bolt nuts that retain the ****** casting to the column outer tube.
9. Remove the ****** casting, upper shaft bearing, lock cylinder, ignition switch actuator and the actuator rod by pulling the entire assembly over the end of the steering column
shaft.
10. Remove the lock actuator insert, the T-bolts and the automatic transmission indicator insert, or, with manual transmissions, the key release lever.
11. Upon reassembly, the following parts must be replaced with new parts:
******
Lock cylinder assembly
Steering column lock gear
Steering column lock bearing
Steering column upper bearing retainer
Lock actuator assembly
12. Assembly is a reversal of the disassembly procedure. It is best to install a new upper bearing. Check that the truck starts only in PARK and NEUTRAL.
TILT COLUMNS
Fig. 1: Drilling out the lock retaining pin
Fig. 2: Breaking the cap away from the lock cylinder
Fig. 3: Non-tilting column mechanism
Fig. 4: Lock retaining pin access slot on non-tilt column
Fig. 5: Tilt column mechanism
1. Disconnect the battery ground.
2. Remove the steering column shrouds.
3. Using masking tape, tape the gap between the steering wheel hub and the cover casting. Cover the entire circumference of the casting. Cover the seat and floor area with a drop cloth.
4. Pull out the hazard switch and tape it in a downward position.
5. The lock cylinder retaining pin is located on the outside of the steering column cover casting adjacent to the hazard flasher button.
6. Tilt the steering column to the full up position and pre-punch the lock cylinder retaining pin with a sharp punch.
7. Using a 1 ⁄ 8 in. (3mm) drill bit, mounted in a right angle drive drill adapter, drill out the retaining pin, going no deeper than 1 ⁄ 2 in. (13mm).
8. Tilt the column to the full down position. Place a chisel at the base of the ignition lock cylinder cap and using a hammer break away the cap from the lock cylinder.
9. Using a 3 ⁄ 8 in. (10mm) drill bit, drill down the center of the ignition lock cylinder key slot about 1 3 ⁄ 4 in. (44mm), until the lock cylinder breaks loose from the steering column
cover casting.
10. Remove the lock cylinder and the drill shavings.
11. Remove the steering wheel.
12. Remove the turn signal lever.
13. Remove the turn signal switch attaching screws.
14. Remove the key buzzer attaching *****.
15. Remove the turn signal switch up and over the end of the column, but don't disconnect the wiring.
16. Remove the 4 attaching screws from the cover casting and lift the casting over the end of the steering shaft, allowing the turn signal switch to pass through the casting. The
removal of the casting cover will expose the upper actuator. Remove the upper actuator.
17. Remove the drive gear, snap ring and washer from the cover casting along with the upper actuator.
18. Clean all components and replace any that appear damaged or worn.
19. Installation is the reverse of removal.

==

Did you see your post & replies about the speedo & tach?

Hey Supreme Commander, thanks for all the help. i really appreciate all the help a lot. On my speedo and tachometer problem, all i did was take it to o Reillys and got a computer check for free. They told me that the computer wasn't getting the info from the vss. So i check the wires and connectors, they were all good, so i replaced the vss on the back of the transfer case,bitch to find the part, but after replacing that part, it is running great.  

 

But i talked to my auncle and told me that there is a rod in my steering column that will bend. Do you have any info about that. Thanks for all the help again.

yo B,

Your speedo is direct cable operated from transfer case tail shaft housing; the Code found probably addressed cruise control if equipped and emissions via ECC. Somehow replacing VSS fixed speedo cable or driven gear

Here is R&R;

Speed Sensor > Removal & Installation

1.Unplug the wiring at the sensor on the transfer case tail shaft housing.

2.Disconnect the speedometer cable from the speed sensor.

3.Remove the retaining bolt and remove the sensor. Remove the drive gear.

4.Installation is the reverse of removal.

The Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) is a small signal generator that is turned by a gear inside the transmission assembly. The Vehicle Speed Sensor produces 8 pulse per rotation which a stock computer assumes 8000 pulses per mile. The Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) is a variable reluctance sensor that generates a waveform with a frequency that is proportional to vehicle road speed. When the vehicle is moving slowly, the sensor produces a low frequency signal. As the vehicle speed increases, the sensor produces a higher frequency signal The Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) supplies this signal to the components that require vehicle speed information including the speed control amplifier for cruise control equipped vehicles and computer. The computer uses the VSS signal for emission control programs and speed limiters. The emissions programing can cause a manual transmission vehicle to stall out while decelerating if no VSS is used.

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Your uncle was prob. ref. to the ignition actuator I did yak to you about it above in my post #3