The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks 63 Steering Shaft Removal

Truck is a 63 short fleet with a three on the tree.

I am planning to change from manual steering to power steering and have to modify the steering shaft. Instead of cutting and drilling it in the truck, I would just like to pull it out for modification.

Will the steering shaft pull out once it is released from the steering coupler and lower bearing clamp?

Thanks, Cris

It will but I believe you will find it hits the back of the cab before it is all the way out of the column.

ESum: Thanks, I took a look, it does look like the steering shaft will hit the back of the cab. With the steering box removed, it might come out the other way.

Anybody with hints on how hard/easy it is to pull the column on a three on the tree?

The column is really not hard to pull from memory I believe you just unhook the shift linkage, there is a metal cover that is screwed to the firewall you will have to remove the screws. This cover is around the column and allows room for the shifter bell cranks to pass thru the firewall. Under the hood there is a clamp holding the column in place, loosing this clamp and allow it support the column while you remove what needs to be removed in the cab. Unplug turn signal harness. If I remember correctly you unbolt from the dash, I can't remember if the parking brake assembly has to be removed or not.