I have my automatic column shift collars (front and rear metal collars with ignition switch and gear selector handle) removed and I'll soon be re-installing the floor shift collars. It appears that everything fits as it should. Here are my questions. The collar that slides on first slips over what I'll call an inner tube (not the actual steering shaft). This tube rotates about 80-90 degrees and was originally used to move the auto shift linkage attached to the other end (in the firewall area). This still needs to rotate as this is the only way to install the collar with the locking bolt. Will this collar move during steering? I would think yes unless the tube is secured in place as suggested in other threads. Second question, I can't seem to figure out how this relates to the steering lock pin. It doesn't matter what position the collar is in as the ignition switch cylinder determines the steering lock pin engagement. As long as the key is in the run position the steering shouldn't lock. Before this change (after installing a floor shifter) I simply left the shift "tube" in the park position and never had an issue because the cylinder was in the run position. Why would I need to deactivate the steering lock when making this swap? Any clarification is appreciated.
If you or someone else ever turned the ignition off while you are driving, the steering wheel will lock on ya, or at least thats what happened to me back in the 1980's, just ask the stop sign and tree I hit.
Thanks moneymaker, it has been a while but I assume I couldn't turn off the ignition with the original column shift? Why would I turn off the ignition while driving (I know I asked for it)? Also, isn't the wheel lock an anti-theft feature?
Well I did it not thinking, I was trying to sneak up on my buddy who was in his front yard working on his Charger, was gonna coast up and blow the horn behind him, my joke was on me cuz I hit the stop sign and the tree behind it, he lived on a corner, not much damage as I had the big bumper 1975 Maverick at the time. I had a floor shifter installed and just kept the column shift collar locked in the park position with wire, that allowed it to be shut off while moving. As far as anti theft goes for the wheel lock, i'm not sure you couldn't just grab the wheel and pull it (turn it) hard enough to just break the little lock holding it.
my engine died once and while still coasting I turned the switch off, it locked the steering... pucker factor for sure...
Honestly, I don't think leaving it is an issue it just appeared to be a problem in some of the archived posts. I thought there was an issue related to the column shift to floor shift swap. I don't see myself turning the ignition off while driving. But, since it is apart and trimming it doesn't really "hurt" anything I'll probably trim it. Thanks for the replies.
The only useful purpose of the lock collar mechanism in the original floor shift cars was to prevent you from moving the shift lever out of park without the key. I disabled mine by installing a T5
The collar where the shift handle was previously located should still rotate when the floor shifter is used. I had an old Mustang with an automatic and worn out floor shifter. The only way to shift into low was to grab the collar on the column and twist it.
