How can I Fix my 1966 Thunderbird steering wheel?

I have a 1966 and my column had the same problem. With my car, the mechanism just under the dash was rusted. A few shots with PB Blaster (penetrating oil) and it would move but very stiff. I adjusted it a little and it moved easier so that may fix your problem.

How can I repair the shift lever on my Thunderbird?

You can repair this easily by pounding out the roll pin that holds the shift lever into the collar on the steering column and pulling out the shift lever. You will see that there is a one eighth inch notch worn into the flat part of the lever.

Why does my steering wheel swing out of Park?

The swing-away column has adjustable features — it should swing away when it is in “Park.” If it does not, extra upward pressure on the shift lever (upward) may release it. If this is the case, however, be careful when pulling the wheel back to center — the shifter may fall out of park and go into reverse.

How big is the notch on a Thunderbird ranch lever?

You will see that there is a one eighth inch notch worn into the flat part of the lever. Take this to a welding shop and have them weld it up and grind it down so that it matches the rest of the area near it.

When did the swing away steering wheel become standard on Ford Thunderbirds?

About 77 percent of all ’61 T-birds were equipped with this option, making it popular enough to become a standard item for the 1962 Thunderbirds. During September, 1961 production of the 1962 Thunderbirds, the Swing-Away Steering Wheel officially became a standard feature.

When did the swing away steering wheel come out?

Swing-Away Steering Wheel (1961-1966) The Swing-Away Steering Wheel was a new option introduced on the 1961 Ford Thunderbird. It was the perfect time to do it, as the T-bird had all new styling for 1961, as well as a new Thunderbird 390 Special V-8 engine, and lots of formerly optional items such as back-up lights,…

What’s the difference between tilt away and swing away steering?

And the second generation of Thunderbird’s movable steering column was introduced, this time with a new name: Tilt-Away. The Tilt-Away was a big improvement over the Swing-Away, as it combined a manually-tilting steering wheel with 9 vertical positions, with an automatic tilting feature.

When did they start making Ford steering wheels?

Ford Steering Wheels shown are representative of typical Ford Steering Wheels from this era. We have molds for almost all Steering Wheels from 1932 through 1964, and we are always making new molds. To understand my process in recasting steering wheels, please refer to the web page labeled RECAST PROCESS.

How do you remove the Horn from a Ford Thunderbird?

The horn center is a bit vexing, but it is removed with a 1/4 (or so) turn, and pull off. Then, examine it to see how it should go back on.

How can I swing the steering wheel to the right?

So if you have one that is not rusted it would be a good purchase since most of the things that go on these are easy to replace or fix. To swing the wheel to the right do the following: When the shifter is in the park position, move the shift lever up and slide the wheel to the right at the same time – it’s pretty cool.

Can you repair a cracked steering wheel on a 1955 Thunderbird?

If you decide to refinish the steering wheel yourself, I also attached an article written by Al Parker for the January/February 1995 EarlyBird magazine titled, “How To Restore Your Steering Wheel”. Hi all, I’m looking for any and all advice on repairing a cracked steering wheel on my 1955 Thunderbird. I’m also changing the color of it.

How do you recast a car steering wheel?

To understand my process in recasting steering wheels, please refer to the web page labeled RECAST PROCESS. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to view other wheels. Click on wheel to enlarge.

What kind of steering wheel was used in the 50s?

This wheel is a type and material similar to those used on a host of cars in the 50’s through to the ’70’s. Traditionally prohibitively expensive to have reconditioned, so I had a crack at it – take a look… Loading…

Can you use power steering fluid in a Thunderbird?

Since Type A transmission fluid is no longer available, many Thunderbird owners and their mechanics have used power steering fluids in their Thunderbird steering systems. Power steering fluid will work in your car’s system, but by using regular power steering fluid your system is subject to developing leaks.

Can you change the fluid in a power steering system?

This fluid change over, however, will not fix any leaks in your system caused from old, hard seals, worn out pumps, and other problems associated with an aging system. If your car, however, has a new power steering system, yet you have leaks, this tip may solve your problem.

What is the power steering return hose on a 1964 Ford Thunderbird?

B 2344A Clamp Power Steering Return Hose; Tube at Wiper Motor; 60 Sliding Roof Drain Hose For 1958-1959-1960-1961-1962-1963-1964-1965-1966 Ford Thunderbird (B2344A)

The horn center is a bit vexing, but it is removed with a 1/4 (or so) turn, and pull off. Then, examine it to see how it should go back on.

How to remove a steering wheel if you cannot use a wheel?

Pull the steering wheel toward you with equal force. If the wheel doesn’t come off, then try pulling the steering wheel with alternating hands, trying to wiggle off the steering wheel. If it still doesn’t come off, proceed to Step 3.

How can I Fix my 1966 Thunderbird steering wheel?