Can someone explain the schematics for the tilt mechanism in my 68 cougar column? The column won t stay locked in position and there looks to be a vacuum line broke. We r now realizing that could be what the line was hooked to.
The tilt system should default to the drive position. The spring on the release cable pushes the locking pin in to position and locks the column.
If a vacuum line is broke the column will lock. UNLESS there grit on the locking pin, something under the dash preventing cable movement or you have the vacuum line directly connected to the vacuum motor.
Vacuum works like this: from the engine to a check valve side of the vacuum reservoir, from the other port on the vacuum reservoir to the center tube on the vacuum release valve, release valve to the vacuum motor.
The release valve could be failing and letting vacuum by.
To determine if vacuum system is preventing the column from locking in the drive position, remove the vacuum line from the vacuum release valve. No vacuum and the column should lock in the drive position. If it does not then something is wrong with the cable or dirt or dried grease in the locking pin.
This is the cable DW is referring to…