Steering Collar & Wire Harness - How Do I Remove it?

[hmills]

It appears that the steering collar on my 71 F100 automatic is broken. Here is a pic. Anyone confirm? Now how do I get the collar off? The wire harness is in the way. Do I have to cut the wire harness at the bottom of the steering column? This seems odd. Anyone have a spare shift collar? I'll check out Ebay.

[Tim P.]

yup its broke to remove the wire harness use a straight pin and remove the plug at the end of the wires one at a time from the plastic plug housing there a straight type round pins with a tiny clip that holds it in the housings once removed the wires will pull thru up the shaft then you reinstall after you replace the shift collar the wires are color coded so install using the other end of plug under dash as a guide to the position of the wire in the plug end,pretty straight foward but tedious you might retape the wires so it will slide down into the shaft alittle easier. BTY it would be a good time to clean the turn signal assy and relube with dielectric grease.

[hmills]

Thank you Tim P. That really helps. Now I just need to find a replacement shift collar. I have found one on Ebay (Item No. 130131234370) It's even the right color. But it says that it is for a non-power steering column. Do you know if this matters?

[Tim P.]

there are differences just dont know what they are however you can get an oem reproduction one from dennis carpenter there is a link on this site in the links and resources at top of site page they are 5 star quality and will fit right the first time.

[hmills]

Thanks. I'll check out D. Carpenter.