I have the classic up and down play, which of the three bushes is the most likely to wear?

 

change them all

you will still get change from a fiver if you buy them direct from ford

there are 2 plastic bushes, inner and outer

there is a rubber cover that goes around them to hold the outer one in place
then there is a metal cover to stop the grime

and don't forget the metal disc locking washer that goes on the column too

if you are flexable you can swap them over in about 15 minutes, just make sure you don't have the engine running for about 5 hours beforehand as, depending on what car you've got, it's VERY close to the exhaust manifold

 

I'm assuming you take the whole column out of the car and replace the bushes on the bench. I have a "left hooker" so its on the other side, it just means that it is impossible to change the plenum chamber instead

 

one of the easiest jobs on a sierra IF you are flexable

i'm sure someone should make this a sticky, but until they do, here is how to do it

get into the engine bay
undo the small 10mm bolt that holds the steering column to the intermidiate shaft of the steering coupling
it will be blue and TIGHT
once this is out, you should be able to remove the metal heat cover over the rubber sealing ring on the bush (if fitted, not all cars have them)
in the drivers footwell, remove the pedal carpet from under the dash
locate the small round flat washer on the steering column
pull this upwards
pull the inner plastic bush up the column
using a big flat bladed screwdriver and a hammer, knock the plastic outer bush out into the engine bay
the rubber outer bit may come with it, not a problem as you will be changing this as well
the inner bush can now be ejected into the engine bay through the bulkhead
the locking washer can do the same
back into the engine bacy again, push the washer up the column, then the inner bush, then the outer bush and then the rubber so that they are all inside the car
back inside the car, fit the rubber bush to the bulkhead
you will then struggle to fit the outer plastic bush into the rubber bit, but persevere, it may require considerable fiddling or it may go in straight away, just be patient
then slot the inner bush into the outer bush, then slide the locking tab down to lock it into place
then, to be doubly sure, use a cable tie or something to clamp around the column above the locking washer, these can move up slowly and it's the main cause of the bush disintegrating in a hurry
back inside the engine bay, pop the metal cover (if you have one) back on and refit the bolt to the rack and tighten it up, making sure the wheels are correct (there is normally a small metal pin that locates everything correctly)
stand back and admire your handy work
call a back docrot to sort your back out

 

Thank you so much for this, it will make the job a whole lot easier.

 

So glad i found this its help me out cause i need to do mine before i fit column into the truck