column shifter cone

[dmsteen]

I replaced the detent in my automatic column but I can't get the 2 square bolts back in that holds the cone together. is there a trick to this ?

[Comechero65]

Yes, takes 3 hands and some magic! Put the nut just barely on the bolts then carefully slip into their slots. It you lose one which happens you'll have to pull the column tube to recover them. It's ticklish but can be done. How much hair do you have left to pull out?
Ron

[popscomet]

Yes, takes 3 hands and some magic! Put the nut just barely on the bolts then carefully slip into their slots. It you lose one which happens you'll have to pull the column tube to recover them. It's ticklish but can be done. How much hair do you have left to pull out?
Ron

if bald -beware .........................pop

[dmsteen]

thanx for the tip ! not much hair left and might be totally gone after this project

[Groover]

Get a young person with better eye-sight and coordination to do this. That's what I do. I'll ask him if he has a trick and report back

[Comechero65]

To get the cone back on the two bolts have to be tilted so the heads are spread apart as far as possible without the nuts coming off. Just barely on the bolts. Try gluing the heads of the bolts in the tilted position with some seam sealer or something that will hold it there temporarily but let go when you tap the nut once it is in place. Or try fab'ing a couple 'L' shaped tools to hold the nuts in the tilted position while slipping the cone into place.
It's tedious but can be done.
Ron

[dmsteen]

a second pair of hands does the trick i found. after we got it in and go to shift it it doesn;t work right. take it apart again to find out on the tube at the end that little piece of metal that locks it in broke off. so throw a spot weld on that and thats fixed and then my buddy goes; since its all taken apart should probably replace the blinker cam and wiring since its old and getting brittle so, ordered one of those and waiting to get that and then it will be done. thanx to everyone for advice