Re: steering column bushing replacement

[darryl@xxxx]

Richard, you will find complete instructions are with the new bushing I just 
mailed to you. Its not that difficult - remove the two bolts that hold the 
steering column to the dash, remove the bolt where the top u-joint in the 
intermediate shaft meets the column (after marking the position of the u-joint 
relative to the column shaft), disconnect the two wiring plugs where the column 
wires plug into the under-dash harness, and pull the column out toward the 
seat. The new bushing will probably have to be driven into place with a piece 
of wood like a cut-off broom handle or large dowel. Examine the expanded metal 
outer column for breaks, which are common, and repair (weld) as necessary. 
When replacing the column, you may need to wedge something through the outer 
column to keep the inner one from collapsing as it is supposed to do in a 
wreck - I use long nose vise grips. Match the alignment you marked on the u-
joint when re-assembling. Its about a 1 hour job, best done with help as its 
difficult to align the marks and get the shaft into the u-joint while putting 
the column back in (but I have done it alone several times).