QuestionQUESTION: I have to replace the steering column on a 1998 Ford Windstar with non tilt steering. Reason is the bearing were bad for so long that it pretty much chewed up the housing... Anyway my question(s):
1) Can I replace the non tilt with a tilt steering column or will there be problems doing so?
2) What years and models cross reference so when I go to the salvage yard I have options?
ANSWER: Hi Robert:
Sorry to hear about your truck.
We have recently uploaded pages and a description of how to rebuild the upper portion of a Ford steering column. They are broken down into step by step detailed instructions on our website. Although the example is for a 2000 Mustang, the column is identical to yours (tilt and non tilt use the same housing)
http://www.steeringcolumnservices.com/steering-column-repair-how-to-instructions
I hope these instructions help you. If not, please contact me again for more information.
Lastly, if you need parts to repair this column simply follow the links to the Ford Parts pages and select any of the parts you need. We do provide a complete kit (BRG230) on this page.
http://www.steeringcolumnservices.com/ford/housing-bearings.php
Feel free to email us on our "Contact Us / Order Parts" page and we will get back in touch with you personally. We stock and sell all of the parts you will need for this job.
Good luck
Doug
http://www.steeringcolumnservices.com
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: The problem is the upper housing is no longer good, as the larger bearing was destroyed completely and was ignored by the previous owner and over time the housing broke around the bearing holder so I find it would be cheaper to replace the whole column (and less time consuming)beings where the ignition rod goes into the column to start the car and turn it off was broken. I would have to take the whole column apart to get to the plastic holder to replace that as well.
As my original question... if I go to the salvage yard for the replacement, am I limited to non tilt models or can I replace it with tilt?
AnswerHi Robert:
Thanks for indulging me...sorry for the sidetrack. You are not limited to a non-tilt column. You can yuse a tilt column, but the only things you need to make sure are the same are the electrical aspects...You will need to change over the original multifunction switch, clockspring, steering wheel and airbag so everything electrical remains the same. The housings and shafts are interchangable, but the covers (obviously) will need to be from the replacement column as they need to allow for the extra lever for the tilt.
For used parts...Try this site. You may be able to find what you need. It will show you what years are interchangable and what the going prices are. All of these yards are VERY negotiable!!!
www.car-part.com
It's the website all the salvage yards use when they say "Hang on--let me see if my other yard has it". Actually it's an online database of all the salvage yards in America. You can search by part, location or price
Good luck
Doug
