steering column

[kansasjohn]

OK i give up. how do you get the column to swing away ????? thanx kansasjohn

[Petrolhead]

My car's a '62, dunno if it's the same. I just move the shifter into park and literally slide the wheel to the left.

[kansasjohn]

the shifter has a lot of slop. perhaps it isn't going all the way into park to release the column. could that be the problem???? thanks kansasjohn

[Alexander]

That is probably the problem. It needs to be in park to release. The detent plate is probably worn. The roll pin should also be tight in the shift collar. If the holes are enlarged, they need to be fixed with bushings and epoxy or the collar replaced. Check the shift lever also, when you have it apart.

2031964 - 66 SHIFT DETENT$17.957A216-A-C4SZ

http://www.thunderbirdconn.com/summary-results.cfm?Model_Name=tbird&PartGroup=MECHANICAL