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04-08-2019, 01:18 PM | #1 |
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35 Steering Column Drop Break-off Bolt Removal
Greetings Everyone.
I need the horn rod out of my '35 Fordoor. To do that I want to lower the steering column to avoid damage to the fragile horn rod. Two bolts originally held the column drop to the dash. One of them was designed as an anti-theft device and the head of the bolt was broken off at manufacture (as I understand it). My question is what techniques have worked for you to get this headless bolt out? I've gotten a couple of suggestions from my support group, but before I get medieval on it I thought I'd throw it out here for discussion. Thanks in advance for your thoughtful replies! P.S. In the first pic you can see a dust-covered wheatback penny sitting between the two bolts, didn't get a chance to check it out closely yet but I can't imagine how it came to be there, or how long it was in there!
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04-08-2019, 03:14 PM | #2 |
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Re: 35 Steering Column Drop Break-off Bolt Removal
Cut ir off with a hacksaw Blade & then unscrew the other bolt !!! kerk
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04-08-2019, 03:46 PM | #3 |
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Re: 35 Steering Column Drop Break-off Bolt Removal
I would clean the top of it, lay a nut on top of it then weld it with a Mig, it would come right out.
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04-08-2019, 03:57 PM | #4 |
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Re: 35 Steering Column Drop Break-off Bolt Removal
penetrating oil first, top and bottom then ignition plyers. Maybe a small chisel to get it started turning.
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04-08-2019, 04:17 PM | #5 |
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Re: 35 Steering Column Drop Break-off Bolt Removal
Use a hacksaw to cut a grove in the bolt. then use a screw driver to remove the bolt. Penetrating oil is your friend
This worked on my 40 |
04-08-2019, 04:17 PM | #6 |
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Re: 35 Steering Column Drop Break-off Bolt Removal
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04-08-2019, 04:21 PM | #7 |
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Re: 35 Steering Column Drop Break-off Bolt Removal
I just looked at your pictures. You may get lucky and can cut the groove in the bottom of the bolt. I had to do mine from the top, but it still worked
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04-08-2019, 04:22 PM | #8 |
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Re: 35 Steering Column Drop Break-off Bolt Removal
I drill a hole in the centre... a good soak of penetrating oil,then use an ez out.
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04-08-2019, 05:56 PM | #9 |
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Re: 35 Steering Column Drop Break-off Bolt Removal
If you can apply a locking plier to it, that's the easiest method. If not, cut a slot and use a short, wide blade screw driver.
Lord knows I've removed many. Every one has been removed with one or the other method I'd mentioned.
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04-09-2019, 08:26 AM | #10 |
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Re: 35 Steering Column Drop Break-off Bolt Removal
If you decide to use a hacksaw to cut that bolt between the bottom of dash and top of column drop, be very careful you don't mess up your column drop mounting like the one in attached pictures. I bought a complete steering column and didn't notice this damage until I got it home.
Unfortunately, some folks should not be working on these old cars, IMO. Also, be careful using the easy out method. They break very easily, and then your real problems begin.
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04-09-2019, 05:49 PM | #11 |
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Re: 35 Steering Column Drop Break-off Bolt Removal
Thank you FordBarn'ers! I'll be working this out over the next couple of days (he said confidently).
I'll try to get some pictures. Whatever happens, I sure hope I don't end up with something destroyed like this...
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-Jeff H Have you thought about supporting the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum? Last edited by VeryTangled; 04-09-2019 at 05:56 PM. |
04-09-2019, 06:43 PM | #12 |
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Re: 35 Steering Column Drop Break-off Bolt Removal
That ain't destroyed. A little careful work with "JB WELD", and it'll be as good as new (after paint). The important thing is that there are no real structural problems to deal with.
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04-09-2019, 08:12 PM | #13 |
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Re: 35 Steering Column Drop Break-off Bolt Removal
To me, that IS destroyed. JB Weld is nowhere on my cars, so far, fingers crossed. Steering stuff, to me, qualifies as structural.
Sorry for being a little salty tonight.
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04-09-2019, 08:52 PM | #14 |
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Re: 35 Steering Column Drop Break-off Bolt Removal
and, it looks like it was a lot of work to do that much destruction. i do the "weld on a nut" theory myself.
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04-10-2019, 08:56 AM | #15 | |
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Re: 35 Steering Column Drop Break-off Bolt Removal
Quote:
The satisfaction of completing a successful "bring back" usually far exceeds the money saved by not having to buy a new piece. You should try it some time. |
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04-10-2019, 11:31 AM | #16 | |
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Re: 35 Steering Column Drop Break-off Bolt Removal
Quote:
My personal issue is I have a difficult time seeing a part repaired that way as little more than a pig in a dress. That pig might look nice, but it's still a pig. Properly restoring a vehicle, anything for that matter, is to recreate the beauty throughout the piece, not simply what can be visually seen.
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"I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you". Last edited by Kube; 04-10-2019 at 12:52 PM. |
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04-10-2019, 07:01 PM | #17 |
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Re: 35 Steering Column Drop Break-off Bolt Removal
"Kube" - As I said, "to each his own". You seem to be a guy whose main interest is 1000 point restorations. I think that's great. I love to look at them in museums. However, I don't think most of the folks on this forum are that interested in show cars they can't drive. My "pig in a dress" might be the difference in getting a car on the road or not. I believe most of the guys on here are like me, just trying to get their car as good as they can and get it on the road. "Gold-Chainers" need not apply.
I stand by my statement. |
04-10-2019, 07:10 PM | #18 | |
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Re: 35 Steering Column Drop Break-off Bolt Removal
Quote:
I'm not certain that I made my point clear in my last post... I know it's mostly just me... I was never able to make things "good enough". Lord knows there are many times, I wish I could. Methinks that would make life easier at times. On the plus side, I enjoy the challenge of what I do.
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04-10-2019, 08:35 PM | #19 |
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Re: 35 Steering Column Drop Break-off Bolt Removal
"Kube" - I also respect your opinion. I really wish we could all afford to expend the time and money to do restorations to the standards that you ascribe to. Alas, for most of us mere mortals that are just trying to get our vehicles down the road, that's just not possible. My goal for the next summer is to get my '51 in shape to leave Minnesota, visit some friends in Iowa, stop by the Auburn meet, and continue east for several weeks to visit friends in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. A real "Dream Trip", in the tradition of "Old Henry". I just wish I can be as good a photographer as he is.
Hopefully, I will run into you somewhere along the way and we can continue this banter. Sly Stone said it best - "Different strokes for different folks" |
04-11-2019, 07:29 AM | #20 |
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Re: 35 Steering Column Drop Break-off Bolt Removal
yes
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