Column drop
 

Anybody have a picture of the breakdown on a column drop mechanism on a '41 Ford pickup. We are trying to free it up so we can use the original switch and are not quite sure what comes apart where. We do have the lock cylinder out and can move the slide back and forth a bit but not sure how to free up/remove the lever. Is the pin sticking out of the bottom a part of the lever?? Thanks for any info!

Re: Column drop
 

I guess nobody has any more info than I do about this

Re: Column drop
 

Have to remove outer column from the car. The lock bolt has to be able to move. Place the ignition switch to off and then move the lock bolt in and out get it as free as possible. Once the bolt is out all the way remove the end cap (pry straight off the lock bolt the end of the bolt is splined) , then push the lock bolt in all the way into the column tube. Then the switch handle can be removed from the hole.

Re: Column drop
 

I would get it off the column and soak it in Evapo-rust. It will not hurt anything and will free it up. The pinch bolt can be removed by cutting a screwdriver slot in the bolt head by drilling a line of 1/16" holes and wallowing them out to make a slot. You can also soak the lock without fear.
If you can't get it off the column, turn it upside down and soak it in a glass or something.

Re: Column drop
 

i've only done a couple, but i like to weld a nut on the pinch bolt. let it cool, and wrench it out. the pin on the cylinder will pull out with a good grip with a vice grip, and tap the vise grip with a hammer, or pry under the jaws. its a splined pin, it'll come out with minimal damage.

Re: Column drop
 

Cecil, I thought for sure someone else would have jumped in here before I could get back to you today.
Anywho, I have a detailed sketch with instructions on how to dismantle a '35-'36 column drop and put it back together which should help you and Michael with doing your '41. As soon as I get back home from having dental surgery, I can send you a copy. Having a tooth cut out of my jaw in about 10 minutes :(. Won't be able to talk but hopefully I will still be able to type on the puter.

PS...being a slow typer, I posted this and then noticed that three other Barner's have already responded :D

Re: Column drop
 

Wassh der mush phain johhn ,LOL ,I hate the dentist I think from my school days ,they had a foot operated drill ,Ted

Re: Column drop
 

LOLOL :D Ted. It was all out and over in 10 to 15 minutes...did not feel a thing except the sting of one of about six numbing needle's. Came out in four pieces. They gave me 10 stitches, a light duty pass, and permission to work in garage on my old Ford was denied.

Re: Column drop
 

John, we already have the diagram from Al and it is a bit different. Thanks

Re: Column drop
 

Not knowing which diagram you got from Al (I have several different diagrams with instructions) I guess I can't really comment on that, but in general the disassembly and reassembly procedures would be similar and some of the internal parts could be the same or similar. I guess you will need to keep searching for the exact instructions on a '41 pu column drop. Maybe check with MacVanPelt, he may have what you are looking for.

Re: Column drop
 

I don't have a picture of it as it is at Michaels house. What I need to know is if the switch lever is all the same piece as the pin sticking down to operate the switch? Someone told me they thought it was 2 separate pieces. It looks like all one part to me but I would like to be sure before I put pressure on it to get it out.

Re: Column drop
 

The pin is pressed in as well as the lever.40-41 commercial is similar to 38-39 pass car.The pin and lever need to be pulled out then the assy can come out the top but the drop needs to be removed from the dash for that to happen.

Re: Column drop
 

Found some pictures of complete drops, but no illustrated assembly drawing. Does this look like the one Michael is working on?

Re: Column drop
 

Is the pin and lever 2 separate parts??

Re: Column drop
 

This looks like the same one to me, John.

Re: Column drop
 

I believe so yes

Re: Column drop
 

Thanks, that is what I expected to hear.

Re: Column drop
 

Column ign switch pin----2 types of lockbolt / switch designs.

Look at the back of the column drop:

If the switch pin is part of the toggle switch collar--- opposite the thumb lever post--
it (pin) is non removable. The toggle switch assembly rotates freely on the lock bolt ,
and can be removed in whole when released from the lock bolt.
(These drops have a guide pin in the back that slides in keyway in the bolt to prevent bolt rotation and engages a keyway gate to limit bolt movement towards the steering shaft. Guide pin must be pulled to slide bolt into mast area)

If the switch pin is staked into the lockbolt--the pin must be pulled so the bolt
can be slid into the mast area of the drop -to release the toggle switch collar if
removing.
This style has only the lever post on the collar; and the collar is indexed to the
lockbolt via flat sides on bolt and inside the collar---the switch lever rotates the
bolt to move the switch pin.
Both types have splined collar or stainless cap on lockbolt end.

Hope this helps figure out what you have and how it works.
These vary from year to year.
Fun, fun. fun!
Gene Tulsa