1986 5.0 GT 5 Speed Steering Column HELP

1986_Stang_GT · February 26th, 2011, 07:15 PM

So,
I am new to the forum so I figured I'd start with my question about my clomun swap in my recently purchased 86 GT. I am replacing the old worn out, wobbly, and stupid tilt wheel that i have in it now with a non tilt column from an 87-89 Mustang.. I have the column all dropped, everything INSIDE the car is done.. But on the engine bay-side of the firewall at the bottom of the column there is a bolt that holds it in place with the connecting piece (Resembles a small U-Joint) and i cannot get the bolt off.. :'( Didn't know if you all had any tricks/tips/ideas on how to get this off? There's nearly no room to get any pipe on the end of my ratchet for leverage also.. So i don't know what to do anymore! PLEASE HELP!

fogged306 · February 26th, 2011, 07:20 PM

If you're talking about the clamp for the rag joint, then either put enough extensions on your socket wrench so you can get the wrench itself out far enough to put a piece of pipe on it, or you can soak it in penetrating oil and let it sit for a while and try again. Or you can apply heat. The problem is that you'll probably burn your rag joint if you hit it with a torch for long enough to loosen the bolt. If you're replacing that too, then it doesn't matter.

1986_Stang_GT · February 27th, 2011, 02:45 AM

Yes thats the right part..

Well i guess i have only the extention or oil option.. I might be able to get an air tool from a friend to borrow, see if i can break it loose, but i dunno. ill try the oil trick first.

marzmustang · August 7th, 2011, 09:25 PM

did you get it to work? curious does 87 -89 work in a 86? I hope so!

jessemachone · August 7th, 2011, 09:36 PM

i have an 88. my column wobbled bad. I was going to swap it out w one from a 92 but i took the covers off my column in the car first to see what was up. turns out, all I had to do was tighten 2 7/16-ish bolts on the left side of the column. it was as easy as that. check it before you wreck it!

cleangtvert · August 8th, 2011, 10:16 AM

87-89 has tilt wheele no air bag. 90-93 has non tilt w/air bag

jessemachone · August 8th, 2011, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by cleangtvert

87-89 has tilt wheele no air bag. 90-93 has non tilt w/air bag

I don't know if you were posting at what I wrote but I do understand that. I was just presenting the case that it may be a simple fix like mine was. Mine wobbled like crap as well. I as shocked that it was just a matter of tightening up a couple of bolts.

ryanw · August 8th, 2011, 11:49 PM

In my old 85 gt my column was sloppy and i just tightened up two bolts and it was fine ( i think they were star headed bolts, but that was a really long time ago)

jessemachone · August 9th, 2011, 04:59 AM

Originally Posted by ryanw

In my old 85 gt my column was sloppy and i just tightened up two bolts and it was fine ( i think they were star headed bolts, but that was a really long time ago)

Mine were hex. I wanna say 10mm. ah the glorious time when cars were half sae and half metric.

ryanw · August 9th, 2011, 10:43 PM

^^I hear ya, lol............ and i think your right about them being hex

February 26th, 2011, 07:15 PM	#1
1986_Stang_GT Regular 1986 Ford Mustang GT Unknown... Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: O'Fallon Posts: 72 iTrader: 0 reviews	1986 5.0 GT 5 Speed Steering Column HELP So, I am new to the forum so I figured I'd start with my question about my clomun swap in my recently purchased 86 GT. I am replacing the old worn out, wobbly, and stupid tilt wheel that i have in it now with a non tilt column from an 87-89 Mustang.. I have the column all dropped, everything INSIDE the car is done.. But on the engine bay-side of the firewall at the bottom of the column there is a bolt that holds it in place with the connecting piece (Resembles a small U-Joint) and i cannot get the bolt off.. :'( Didn't know if you all had any tricks/tips/ideas on how to get this off? There's nearly no room to get any pipe on the end of my ratchet for leverage also.. So i don't know what to do anymore! PLEASE HELP!

August 8th, 2011, 11:49 PM	#8
ryanw I Post Entirely Way Too Much 1991 Ford Mustang GT Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 6,062 iTrader: 0 reviews	In my old 85 gt my column was sloppy and i just tightened up two bolts and it was fine ( i think they were star headed bolts, but that was a really long time ago) __________________ DART 331ci stroker, AFR 185 heads, Trick Flow R intake, Accufab 70mm tb, 75mm pro m Maf, 30lb injectors, jba headers, 2 1/2" x pipe flowmaster super 10 mufflers, 255 fuel pump, 3:27 gears

August 9th, 2011, 10:43 PM	#10
ryanw I Post Entirely Way Too Much 1991 Ford Mustang GT Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 6,062 iTrader: 0 reviews	^^I hear ya, lol............ and i think your right about them being hex __________________ DART 331ci stroker, AFR 185 heads, Trick Flow R intake, Accufab 70mm tb, 75mm pro m Maf, 30lb injectors, jba headers, 2 1/2" x pipe flowmaster super 10 mufflers, 255 fuel pump, 3:27 gears

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February 26th, 2011, 07:20 PM	#2
fogged306 MM Fanatic 89 GT Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NY Posts: 4,875 iTrader: 2 reviews	If you're talking about the clamp for the rag joint, then either put enough extensions on your socket wrench so you can get the wrench itself out far enough to put a piece of pipe on it, or you can soak it in penetrating oil and let it sit for a while and try again. Or you can apply heat. The problem is that you'll probably burn your rag joint if you hit it with a torch for long enough to loosen the bolt. If you're replacing that too, then it doesn't matter.

February 27th, 2011, 02:45 AM	#3
1986_Stang_GT Regular 1986 Ford Mustang GT Unknown... Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: O'Fallon Posts: 72 iTrader: 0 reviews	Yes thats the right part.. Well i guess i have only the extention or oil option.. I might be able to get an air tool from a friend to borrow, see if i can break it loose, but i dunno. ill try the oil trick first.

August 7th, 2011, 09:25 PM	#4
marzmustang Look Ma! My First Post! Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1 iTrader: 0 reviews	did you get it to work? curious does 87 -89 work in a 86? I hope so!

August 8th, 2011, 10:16 AM	#6
cleangtvert Enthusiast 1991 gt vert Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: st louis Posts: 727 iTrader: 0 reviews	87-89 has tilt wheele no air bag. 90-93 has non tilt w/air bag

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