Escort Column removal

[pigeondave]

Hi,

Has anyone here removed the inner column from the outer sleeve on a mk2 escort column?

I have the Haynes book of lies and it states that once the roll pin is removed from the bottom of the coulmn and the steering lock, the inner column should just pull out. Then you can get at the upper and lower bearings.

It looks to me that the upper bearing needs to come out to get the inner column out. Can anyone confirm that im correct?
I dont want to start wacking things with a big hammer only to break something. It also loooks as if the upper bearing was pressed in too far into the outer sleeve/tube as I have a lot of play between the inner column and sleeve. When I try to pul the column out this upper bearing moves up the outer sleeve and the play is gone.

Thanks

Dave

[stylussprinter]

Hello Dave . I can't tell you how to remove it but I do recognise your upper bearing symptoms . Mine was like it from first build because the bearing just fell out after me trying to lever it out to replace it. I simply carved a poly suspension bush to fit between the column and it's outer tube , cut completely through one side to get it into position without removing the column . Then used large cable ties between it and the boss to retain the bush--------- it's still in place albeit a little slack now , after 11 yrs .