Topic: steering column shims for non-tilt

[Mark F]

Hi,

Wondering if anyone has tried using shims on a non-tilt steering column to lift the steering wheel. It is mentioned in the "Introduction to the 1968 Ford Product Line" shop manual on page 27 - Mustang Steering Wheel Height Adjustment. Would like to know what amount of height increase you might get, before I go ahead and source the shims and install them. Looks like they are the same shims used for caster/camber adjustment on early mustangs, and possibly for fender shims as well. Thanks for any insights.

Mark
68 SJ coupe

[jwc66k]

First, welcome to the forum.
The shim you seek does not seem to be in the "1968 Mustang Chassis Assembly Manual". The service manual, "Ford Car Parts" (aka MPC) is available thru a link to a T-Bird website (we could have our own copies, but - ) where you might find more information in the illustration section.
Jim

[Mark F]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the reply and the information you included in it. I think the shims mentioned in the 1968 Introduction Manual section are the same as the ones listed on the link below. If no one else on the forum has tried this yet, I may have to be the guinea pig for the experiment.

https://www.themustangshop.ca/product/18700900/658484

Thanks again.

Mark

[67gta289]

I'll include the picture as well. 

The complete document is posted here: https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=29705.new#new

[67gta289]

Like Jim, I did not find the C4ZA-3043 part listed anywhere.  I checked 1964,65, 66 single year parts and accessories catalogs, and the 1960-68 master parts and accessories catalog.

The closest I found was from the 1966 catalog, with three unique parts, each with a different thickness.  The only difference is the C5ZZ service part number as opposed to the C4ZA engineering part number.  They are likely one and the same.  Since this was a day two modification, Ford should have used the service part number - tsk tsk.

[Mark F]

Hi John,

Thanks for sleuthing out this information for me. At this point, I think I will order a package of the 1/16 inch shims, and see how it goes from there. Probably try a short stack of them on both of the forward column studs, and see how much lift that provides to the steering wheel. Hopefully it will make entry/exit a little less awkward than it is now. If I was the same size now as I was in '68 it wouldn't be an issue.

Mark

[jwc66k]

Go to a local front end alignment shop and see if they will let you have a couple of 1960's Mustang alignment shims. See if they "work", then buy some. NPD carries them under their stock numbers, "T-3043-1, 2, 3, and 4", different thicknesses and prices, but you can get a picture online from the NPD website to show the shop what you need.
Jim