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EF and EL Steering Columns - Same or different 

 

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 Post subject: EF and EL Steering Columns - Same or different
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 7:21 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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Are the actually different? - is the EF column just 90 degrees out from the EL one? - or are the shafts physically different?

Ive already swapped the lower shaft and rack

Nigel
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 Post subject: Re: EF and EL Steering Columns - Same or different
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 7:31 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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I've put an EL Column into an EF with no drama's.

 

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 Post subject: Re: EF and EL Steering Columns - Same or different
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:10 pm 
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OK - so this is where im interested.

There is definetly about 90 degrees difference in the way they bolt up.

But there are also lots of comments about using the ef column with ef rack etc.
It bolts in, but the wheel is off to the right.

gearbox-suspension-brake-driveline-f4/el-rack-into-ef-t104472.html

Shows it well.

If its just 90 degrees then the wheel will come off, and go to the right place.

I dont mind swapping the columns either (I have both)

Nigel
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 Post subject: Re: EF and EL Steering Columns - Same or different
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:15 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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I used EF Rack and intermediate with EL Column. It's still running no worries.

 

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ILL60 - EF XR8, Sunroof, Ticky Kit, 19x8.5/19x11 TE37's, 347, AFr185's, TFS BoxRcustom converter, Hurst Quarterstick, huge billet cam.

OO0Y4 - BA2 XR6 Turbo, Nizpro Plenum, Process West stage 3 cooler, 4” dump, 3.5” exhaust, ID1000’s, ZF Auto - 11.8@116

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 Post subject: Re: EF and EL Steering Columns - Same or different
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:26 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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OK. I guess that the steering wheel wasnt on when you did it?

Hence my question - is all I need to do removing the wheel and moving it 90 degrees to the right?
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 Post subject: Re: EF and EL Steering Columns - Same or different
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:27 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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Steering wheel wasn't on.

 

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ILL60 - EF XR8, Sunroof, Ticky Kit, 19x8.5/19x11 TE37's, 347, AFr185's, TFS BoxRcustom converter, Hurst Quarterstick, huge billet cam.

OO0Y4 - BA2 XR6 Turbo, Nizpro Plenum, Process West stage 3 cooler, 4” dump, 3.5” exhaust, ID1000’s, ZF Auto - 11.8@116

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 Post subject: Re: EF and EL Steering Columns - Same or different
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:31 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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I think that answers my question. Will go out and rotate it tomorrow.

Thanks
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 Post subject: Re: EF and EL Steering Columns - Same or different
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:39 pm 
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90 degrees is no good...

The clock spring which cancels the blinkers will only go on at 180 degree intervals...

So with my ED, when I fitted the EL column. There is 4 flats for the wheel to mount on and then changes into 2 flats for the clock spring... I had that section changed into 4 flats (milled) to allow me to mount the clock spring... Otherwise it wouldn't have cancelled the blinkers properly...

The two flats where vertical with wheels centred and I needed horizontal flats for the the straight position in the clock spring...

I didn't know the columns varied... I don't even know which car my column came from... May have been AU... If I knew this then I could have fitted the other and not had a problem... Depending where the 90 degree twist occured... I'm using an EL top section and ED bottom section to match the EF-FG wheel to the ED intermediate shaft...

The the 90 twist is in the top section I could have used that... If it is in the bottom section I would have had to mill the 2 extra flats regardless... Maybe you can mix the two columns to make what you need?

Cheers,
Tim

 

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93 Red ED 5spd Manual Build Thread

Performance: Complete AUII VCT Wiring & Power Train, Pacey Headers, 2.5" Exhaust, Exedy Clutch, DBA Rotors
Visuals: FG XR Wheel, XR Front, 17's, BA 5 Spd Shifter, BA Ghia Window Switches, NL Cluster
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 Post subject: Re: EF and EL Steering Columns - Same or different
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:50 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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Is that the clockspring will only go into the Steering wheel at 180 degrees??? - I was simply going to off the wheel, and put it back on at 90. I'll take a look in a few mins, but there should be no need to do anything silly like all of that?
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 Post subject: Re: EF and EL Steering Columns - Same or different
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:52 pm 
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If the top of the column ends up 90 degrees out the clock spring will not fit on with the wiring coming out of the top middle... They'll either be down to the right 90 degrees or down to the left 90 degrees...

Cheers,
Tim

 

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93 Red ED 5spd Manual Build Thread

Performance: Complete AUII VCT Wiring & Power Train, Pacey Headers, 2.5" Exhaust, Exedy Clutch, DBA Rotors
Visuals: FG XR Wheel, XR Front, 17's, BA 5 Spd Shifter, BA Ghia Window Switches, NL Cluster
Tunes: 8" Pioneer Sub, JBL Speakers, Clarion Double DIN Headunit

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 Post subject: Re: EF and EL Steering Columns - Same or different
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:51 pm 
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OK - got it. Ive taken a look and understand. Im only dithering around a little now because the EL column is grey switches, the EF one is black. I actually think the EF stuff looks a little better in this case.

Thanks

Nigel
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 Post subject: Re: EF and EL Steering Columns - Same or different
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:42 pm 
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Timmy's right - the steering shaft section where the clockspring fits over is oval - the clockspring plugs which have cruise/airbag, etc have to sit at 12:00 position with the wheel at straight ahead. So moving the wheel on it's own is not enough.
You can cheat and make the clockspring hole round, fit it and put a couple of stakes between it and the shaft to make a tight fit - it can't really slip, the plug will come against the wheel alloy casts. Key thing is to reset the clockspring correctly - it says 2.5 turns, but you can backoff to 1.5 turns from tight (no less though !!!).
Best thing is probably jack the front to take weight off the front wheels, fit everything, and run the steering lock to lock (slightly less than 3 turns) and see if the wheel is centred properly - the clamp bolt for the lower intermediate shaft (the rack pinion head)should sit 60 degrees aft (centreline parallel to the engine)at straight ahead.
When I fitted SSPS to my EL, I ended up using an angle grinder to take out a spline on the upper intermediate shaft - everything above was correct, but the wheel sat at 45 degrees, so not really any other option - bit too much to take out with the outer tierods.

 

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97 EL Futura S/W: LPG, Alarm, LED int Lts, Trip Comp, F/Lane Dome Lt, Climate Ctrl, T5 Conversion

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 Post subject: Re: EF and EL Steering Columns - Same or different
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 9:51 pm 
Parts Gopher
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Ride: EF Futura wagon, BF MKIII Wagon

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the EF and EL steering column shafts are different at the spline at the base which protrudes through the fire wall. This is my experience with an i6, no idea about the V8s.

I discovered this after installing EL rack in to EF, steering wheel then off centre and can't be adjusted because the whole thing is master splined.

How to solve? Get a column out of an EL or refit an EF rack.
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 Post subject: Re: EF and EL Steering Columns - Same or different
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 10:01 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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Thats pretty much what I did.

I took an EF XR8 rack, column and shafts and put them into my EL.

Just another one of the interesting incompatible changes in the EL.
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 Post subject: Re: EF and EL Steering Columns - Same or different
Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 7:56 am 
Parts Gopher
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Ride: EF Futura wagon, BF MKIII Wagon

Location: Brisbane
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hi guys
another discovery.....my EF has had heavy steering ever since I installed an EL rack. I tried an EL power steering pump but this made no difference. I finally suspect that there is a difference in the length of the arm on the steering knuckle which is one of the refinements Ford made to the EL to eliminate the understeer of the EF. Could some one please measure the length of the arm on the steering knuckle on an EL I6 measured from centre of lower ball joint to centre of the hole where tie rod end bolts in? My EF is 130mm. I suspect an EL will be longer by perhaps 10mm.....
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