Pin pusher

[Teacherman]

I really messed things up trying to change out my cancel cam. Long story short, I may have dropped a steering column flange bolt down the steering column. I definitely have to shift collar off. The snag (latest snag?!?!) I've hit is removing the wire and their pins from the plastic harness. Keith had a picture of a tool on steering column exposed FAQ. Where do you find one! And will a pair of tweezer or forceps work as well?

[kaptnkaos]

hey Teacherman

Yeah, you could probably use a pair of tweezers...
Some where I read a post about makin' one of the tools out of some stainless tubing and a hack saw.
cut in from the end of some thin tubing and 1/4 inch or so.
Then crimp the two flaps that makes closer togeher so it just fits over the pins. It will push the wings in and let you remove the pin without damage.
I'have also heard that you can get one of those tools at NAPA or thru a Ford dealer. (I haven't tried either)
I used a really thin srewdriver to depress each wing as I gently pulled the wire. I just kept playing with it and got them all out with out any damage at...
Just be patient and don't get in a hurry and you'll get them out ok.
Make sure you diagram the connecter and wires before you start...
it will save you a big headache when you go to put it back together.
The reason I say this is because if the switch has ever been replaced, the wire colors may be totally differant than the wiring diagrams say they shoud be.

Good luck ...
KaptnKA S

[Teacherman]

I broke out the digital camera and took several pictures of the wiring. They are clear, but I'll probably take notes too, just to make sure. I thought about labeling each wire, but figured that would just pop off when I pulled it through the steering column.

[wt4speed#2]

I bought mine at O'rilley's and i think A-zone has them . just walkin and ask for them.

[390Nut]

A straight pin, dental pick (which is what I just used on the same connectors), small flat head screwdriver, a sewing machine needle, heck nearly anything you can fit down there will work to push the locking flag in to pull the terminal out of the connector.

The yellow handled tool above is the PROPER tool, but nearly anything can be made to work.

[Teacherman]

I bought mine at O'rilley's and i think A-zone has them . just walkin and ask for them.

I bought the yellow one at NAPA -- waaaay too big for the pins. The red one didn't look right. I'll try looking for the green handled one. Another week with a dead bump.

[Underdog97]

I've got all of those tools as well and found that they're usually too big in the center for the 65 to 72 truck pins but work well for the 73 on up trucks as the connector is bigger on those trucks. The problem I've came across with removing the pins on the 65 to 72 is that the pins are small as is the barb on them. they're almost a one way fit. I found that with patience a large Bic Pen tube works ok.