Steering: 3 on the tree stump removal

[K-Hawk]

My 62 hawk started life as a 3 on the tree , it now has a 4 on the floor.If I remove steering wheel, turn signal switch will the top collar with the stub on it come off, I have a stub less collar to replace it and would like the look. Thanks in advance K-HAWK

[bezhawk]

Yes, it will come off, but first you have to remove the two 7/16" nuts at the top and bottom. Threading the signal switch wires is the hardest part.
When you replace the upper collar, remember to lube the upper bearing in it, and keep the retainers and spring in place.
The two(square headed) bolts that I mentioned earlier are a buggar to get started so here is what I do. Start the nuts on the bolts just barely, and leave loose. When you start to install the upper collar, hold the top nut with needle nose pliers and tilt it up to clear the inside tube. If you then pull the collar towards you as you tighten the nuts, the square heads will engage the notches in the tube. Keep a slight tension on the collar until the nuts are tight.
Some people put the bolts in the notches, and use a rubber band to hold in place, but that makes it almost hair pulling frustration to try and feed the bolts thru the holes in the collar as you lower it.

[Tom Bredehoft]

[QUOTE=bezhawk;631858]Yes, it will come off, but first you have to remove the two 7/16" nuts at the top and bottom. Threading the signal switch wires is the hardest part.
.[quote]

Threading the wires.....I fabricated a piece of mechanic's wire with a shepherd's crook on the end, pushed it up through the raceway and pulled one wire at a time. It wasn't really hard, just slow. I wound up doing the pulling by pushing down on the wire with my left foot.