Shift Detent Replacement

[FlyingDutch]

Anyone have tips on how to replace the shift detent bracket in the steering column of a 65 Flairbird? Mine came unscrewed and dropped down, jamming the steering column. The part looks like it has a groove on it -- so I plan to replace it with a new one.

I've got the steering wheel off, snap ring, turn signal assembly and gear selctor, but cannot figure out how to get the housing off enough to screw in the detent plate. Looks like the upper column bearing is what's hanging things up. Try as I may, I can't get the housing off and the bearing won't budge.

Anyone done this and have suugestions?


Thanks,


Dutch

[Joe Vandatta]

Dutch'
Look at the shift hub till you see a little hole, then looking in the hole move the shift lever till you see the head of a small cap screw. Using a 1/4 drive extension and a small socket loosen this to get to the shift detent. From your letter, I think this is whats holding you up.
Joe

[Joe Vandatta]

Dutch,
I was just out checking my 66 and did some re-checking...I think it's the same as yours. To line up the holes I refered to in my previous letter you place the selector in neutral position..this will line up the holes so you can get a 3/8- 1/4 drive socket on the cap screw that holds the hub to the shift tube...good luck.
Joe

[Joe Vandatta]

Dutch
If that doesn't work, take the two nuts that you see when you take the turn signal switch out off to free up the bearing housing.Pull the housing up to get to the detent plate.

[Dutch]

Thanks for the tips, Joe.

Seems like the hub has to come off to get this part back on. I've got parts that fell off and are jammed in the column somewhere so the hub has to come off anyway. Hope there's enough slack in the wiring harness to get adequate clearance to get the old parts out and the new parts in.

There are two nuts in the hub, underneat the turn signal cam that have to be removed. Got these out, now I have to figure out a way to press the column bearing off.

I removed the steering gear selector and had it welded to repair the "groove" these things get after so many years. Getting that pin out was NOT fun.

Now onto the hub and the detent plate.


Thanks again for your posts. Happy cruis'n.

[Joe Vandatta]

Dutch'
You may have to loosen the upper nut on the flex coupler in the engine compartment---then you can pull the steering shaft out with the bearing on it. I have replaced the bearing in my 66 along with the insulater that it sets in.
Hope this helps,
Joe

[Joe Vandatta]

Dutch,
You can get all the parts you need at the Bird Nest in Port. Or.
Go to [email protected]
They are nice fellows to deal with and there is no sales tax in Or.
Joe

[Joe Vandatta]

How are you doing on the detent project Dutch?
Joe

[FlyingDutch]

Joe,
Got this done yesterday! :-) I decided to take out my gear shift selector and have the notch (wear groove) repaired. This turned out to be the worst part of the job. Had a heck of a time getting the tension pin out. Wrong tool, wrong aproach, should have been a 10 minute job. Oh well, next time I'll be a pro.

The shift detent lever turned out to be fairly easy to replace. After removing the steering wheel, there are two nuts that have to be removed. The screws that these nuts are on will fall into the hub, but can easily removed after the hub is off.

To get the hub off, the bearing and snap ring are all that holds things up. There is enough slack in the wiring harness that I did not have to pull the column out (thankfully). To get the hub off, I placed carpenters wedges between the hub and cone and then tapped the column with a hammer. As the bearing started to move, I slid the wedges closer together to make them thicker. Came off in just a couple of minutes using this method.

My detent plate looked okay, so all I had to do was screw the plate back on (with lock thread this time) and grease up the bearing. I also put a new bearing insulator on while I was at it.

Steering works real smooth now, better than ever! Worked out real nice, too bad there isn't a pill you can take to get "instant knowledge" on these things, ehh? Things always seem so easy have they're done.

Again, thanks for the comments and suggestions. Hope this info helps others.

[Joe Vandatta]

Hey Dutch----congrats, and you know it's always easier the next time. I was going to caution you about those bolts falling down into the hub. Smart move on the shift lever as these birds have a bad habit of falling into reverse.
Joe

[Joe Vandatta]

Dutch.
I am wondering where you got the bearing insulater---just curious.

[FlyingDutch]

Hi, Joe. I got that column bearing insulator from John Draxler, at Thunderbird Ranch. Mine was missing this part for years, and I lived with a jury-rigged fix since 1992. Feels good to finally have the "right" fix. Everything works great now. Took it on that same fatefull trip to my ex's house and the car drove like a champ this time. I was nervous as heck, given the "challenges" I faced on the last attempt, but it's like they say, you gott get back on that horse!

BTW, you can find John by doing a search on "Thunderbird Ranch".

Good luck!