VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION General Discussions 31 coupe steering column removal

Hi newbie here. Tried searching for this but came up empty. Just as the title says I need to remove steering column so I can remove the body of my 31. Time is crucial since the wood is infested with drywood termites and the wife is loosing it. I have the repair manual but again came up empty.
Body is braced and ready to have the wood removed steering is holding it back. HELP!

I did not remove mine when I pulled my 31 Cabriolet body. I loosened the two big bolts on the bracket holding the column to the frame and lowered the column as far as it would go by turning the steering wheel .The dash attaching parts would need to be removed . The floors were out. I had the use of a lift but it did come off without too much trouble. If it is finished paint be sure to protect the shaft.

If you want to take it out you need to pull the Pittman arm off the shaft, then remove the big bolts mentioned above, horn wire, steering wheel, and the dash mount. I would think all the floor boards would have to come out.

Dave

Thank you for the reply Dave. I have the toe boards and floor boards out already. Horn wire is coming out as well.
Now, on mine I have i big nut that runs through the frame to the pitman arm the gearbox itself is riveted to the frame at 4 points.
Do any of these pictures have what you are referring to?


Or is it shown in the manual? If so do you know the corresponding letters?
Thanks again for the reply. I really appreciate the help.

*EDIT the dash has been removed so column is free.

Interesting. My 31 steering box is bolted to the frame. With the right tools, I can pull the column and box in 30 minutes or so.

It's worth doing so that you can check the internals, replace the grease, and better understand how the adjustments work. Before I had mine out, the steering wheel had at least 4 inches of slop. After seeing how the adjustments work, the slop is down to perhaps an inch.

The screwdriver is pointing to one of the two bolts. It is kind of like a connecting rod cap and clamps down on the part of the housing where the sector shaft runs. The rivets are probably holding the base of the bracket to the frame. I will be back in the shop tomorrow and send some photos.

Here is one of the gear out.

Dave

I’m assuming the picture on the bottom(not pointing at pitman)? If so that a great help but I’d still love to see the other pictures when you can. Thanks so much.

@Dave39MD Don’t worry about pictures tomorrow. The one you posted was enough. Got it! Thank you so much! Btw any pictures of you cabriolet? I’d love to see it if you have a thread.