Question
steering column damage
QUESTION: I have a 1977 Lincoln MarkV. I went to shift the transmission the other day and it got stuck in reverse. The gear shifter (on the column) was flopping around. I managed to remove the steering wheel and inspect the column for damage. The cover that the shifter inserts into is also a part of the attachment point. It is metal and the shifter inserts into a pocket with a spring. The cover broke at the attachment point and is now loose. The shifter is flopping around because this is it's pivot point when shifting. Is there a way to remove the cover and install a new one? Or do I have to replace the entire steering column. I see a bolt on it which leads me to believe it should be removable. I am stuck in the breakdown. Perhaps some instructions or a blow up of the column and its parts might be available. Any help is appreciated as this is my daily driver. Thank you!
ANSWER: Hi Sal:
Sorry about your situation.
This one takes me back about 30 years. the shift bowl is the part you are referring to. It is replaceable, but finding a new one will be the challenge. In addition, it is a complete overhaul of the column including removing it form the car. With that being the case, it may be simpler to replace the column with a complete used on...just a swap instead of an overhaul.
For used parts...Try this site. You may be able to find what you need.
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
For new parts, once you have the original part number, try this site.
http://www.vpartsinc.com/
It's the graveyard for all NOS (New Old Stock) from dealers who couldn't sell their parts or had obsolete numbers they couldn't return. You may have to set up an account first.
Good Luck
Doug
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Doug, it appears that trying to find a replacement steering column is just as hard and very expensive when found. Would the broken part in question be the same as that found on a 77-79 tbird? Are there any other steering columns that would work for parts or conpletr replacement?
AnswerI thought you might have problems with parts.
I just searched the availability and it looks like a 1975-1977 T-bird will fit your car as well as the Mark series. Expand your search for columns to the entire US , have them remove the steering wheel and shipping costs shouldn't exceed $50. I found columns for as little as $40
That's the best advice I can offer for repairing what is now considered a 'classic'---the price does go up at that level.
