55+ Steering Wheel/Column Gap

[farmall]

What is it that fails when there is a gap between the upper column and the wheel?

My 55 TF has this problem and I have seen many pictures of other trucks with the same problem.

[1project2many]

In the TF trucks the steering column is attached to the steering box and the steering shaft is attached to the steering gear. The steering shaft does not float like in later columns but is secured between two roller bearings in the steering box. If the wheel has play along the column axis, if it can be pulled up out of the collumn slightly then drops back down, you may have a failed bearing in the box or you may simply need to adjust preload.

The upper portion of the steering column is supported by a bushing. If the wheel cannot be moved around in the bore the bushing is probably good.

The top of the column is usually hidden by a trim piece or the turn signal bucket. These pieces stay in place due to a wedge plate made of die-cast aluminum. The wedge can be tightened by turning a screw accessible from the bottom of the bucket. If there is too much gap and the wheel is tight, try adjusting the trim / bucket.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...55ctsm0904.htm
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...55ctsm0907.htm

[Coupeguy2001]

There is a screw on the bottom of the cup that meets the steering wheel.
It points toward the driver and is in the same geometric line as the column,
It is like a wedge spacer. tighten it, and the cup gets tight.
Back it off, and slide the cup up to the wheel, and tighten the screw. give it about 3/32 " clearance since the wheels are not always round and straight.

[Foot Stomper]

Originally Posted by 1project2many

In the TF trucks the steering column is attached to the steering box and the steering shaft is attached to the steering gear. The steering shaft does not float like in later columns but is secured between two roller bearings in the steering box. If the wheel has play along the column axis, if it can be pulled up out of the collumn slightly then drops back down, you may have a failed bearing in the box or you may simply need to adjust preload.

The upper portion of the steering column is supported by a bushing. If the wheel cannot be moved around in the bore the bushing is probably good.

The top of the column is usually hidden by a trim piece or the turn signal bucket. These pieces stay in place due to a wedge plate made of die-cast aluminum. The wedge can be tightened by turning a screw accessible from the bottom of the bucket. If there is too much gap and the wheel is tight, try adjusting the trim / bucket.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...55ctsm0904.htm
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...55ctsm0907.htm

I've never seen the column described like this ever before.
Great information! Thanks for sharing!