Advice on steering column coupler?

[koosh]

Next up on the project list: 69 Super Bee, the steering column blew apart (see pic) adter i replaced the signal switch…. Must have finished it off when hammering the wheel puller. Is it recommended to replace with stock coupler or after market?
Thanks in advance

 

[dadsbee]

Must have been some DAMN good hammer blows to collapse your column enough to pull the shoe cross pin out of the coupler.

 

[Kern Dog]

Stock couplers are available new. They are superior to any other design. I would strongly recommend to replace the damaged one with a proper replacement.

 

[Don Frelier]

Stock couplers are available new. They are superior to any other design. I would strongly recommend to replace the damaged one with a proper replacement.

There may not be anything wrong with the coupler.
Apparently the shaft was collapsed and then pulled back but remains in the collapsed position.
I've actually never worked on a the collapsing type column as mine are both 66's.
And anything newer I've had I never collapsed the shaft.
Getting the cover/gasket back on can be a challenge if you've never messed with one.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

Next up on the project list: 69 Super Bee, the steering column blew apart (see pic) adter i replaced the signal switch…. Must have finished it off when hammering the wheel puller. Is it recommended to replace with stock coupler or after market?
Thanks in advance View attachment 1748765

FYI - you column center shaft collapses like an antenna. I suspect you broke the tiny little plastic pins that keep it from collapsing (even minor hammering can break those). The entire coupling is available aftermarket (if you need it).

 

[koosh]

FYI - you column center shaft collapses like an antenna. I suspect you broke the tiny little plastic pins that keep it from collapsing (even minor hammering can break those). The entire coupling is available aftermarket (if you need it).

Where are these pins located? Should i be doing anything else besides just replacing the coupler?
How do i tell if column is collapsed?

 

[koosh]

Do i need to remove this

pin at bottom of the steering column in order ti get that seal off? It looks like its the top of the coupler?

 

[Billccm]

Do i need to remove thisView attachment 1748791 pin at bottom of the steering column in order ti get that seal off? It looks like its the top of the coupler?

Although the instructions tell you to remove the pin it's not necessary. Grease up the seal and it will fit over the pin.

I used a new coupler from Steer N Gear.

 

[Billccm]

You can reference this thread starting here. I show the new Steer N Gear coupler install.


Post in thread 'Steering box removal. It's never easy for me.' Steering box removal. It's never easy for me.

 

[ruffcut]

You may not need to replace, only reassemble , but will need to fix the collapsed steering shaft. FYI, hammers can cause more trouble than they fix. ruffcut

 

[koosh]

You can reference this thread starting here. I show the new Steer N Gear coupler install.


Post in thread 'Steering box removal. It's never easy for me.' Steering box removal. It's never easy for me.

Thanks! Im waiting to hear back if i need to do anything else regarding a collapsible column—- i know nothing about these

 

[koosh]

You may not need to replace, only reassemble , but will need to fix the collapsed steering shaft. FYI, hammers can cause more trouble than they fix. ruffcut

How do I know if my steering column is collapsed how do you tell? And if it is, they are repairable?

 

[PurpleBeeper]

Thanks! Im waiting to hear back if i need to do anything else regarding a collapsible column—- i know nothing about these

1. You can tell if you go to bolt it up and it’s too short
2. The pin you’re looking at can stay in
3. I repaired mine this way….a. Drill out old plastic pieces b. Drill/tap for a 10-24 or similar size (2 holes already in column where the plastic pins were before) c. Install plastic hardware store bolts (check plumbing section of Home Depot) d. Cut off excess ends of plastic bolt e. Done…re-install column without any hammers

 

[koosh]

1. You can tell if you go to bolt it up and it’s too short
2. The pin you’re looking at can stay in
3. I repaired mine this way….a. Drill out old plastic pieces b. Drill/tap for a 10-24 or similar size (2 holes already in column where the plastic pins were before) c. Install plastic hardware store bolts (check plumbing section of Home Depot) d. Cut off excess ends of plastic bolt e. Done…re-install column without any hammers

I appreciate your help!
But where are these plastic pieces?
Why would a column collapse if was pushing down on the shaft with a wheel puller? Confused to say the least! LOL

 

[koosh]

Ok, just by looking at the gap from bottom of steering shaft to the steering box shaft, def to far from each other…. placing the old coupler in line where the pin would go on the steering box shaft the other end of the coupler barely covers the bottom of the steering column shaft. Is there a fix for this?

 

[PurpleBeeper]

Ok, just by looking at the gap from bottom of steering shaft to the steering box shaft, def to far from each other…. placing the old coupler in line where the pin would go on the steering box shaft the other end of the coupler barely covers the bottom of the steering column shaft. Is there a fix for this?View attachment 1748814

It looks like you center shaft is collapsed. The column is designed that way so that in a bad front end accident, the center shaft collapses like an antenna. For older columns, the center shaft acts like a spear aimed at your heart in a bad front end collision

 

[koosh]

It looks like you center shaft is collapsed. The column is designed that way so that in a bad front end accident, the center shaft collapses like an antenna. For older columns, the center shaft acts like a spear aimed at your heart in a bad front end collision

So is it junk? Repairable? Or am i now looking for a new steering column?

 

[dadsbee]

Take the coupler off the steering box. Grab the end of the shaft and yank it and it will extend. Put the coupler back together on the shaft. Unbolt the steering column from the dash holder. Reinstall the coupler and have someone hold the shaft or a pair of vise grips and a retention strap to the box. Put the column back in place.

Or you can read the restoration threads and see how to rebuild the collapsed shaft and column. Even my old man hitting the wheel in the ditch didn't collapse mine that far... Covered in my restoration thread about 2019 or Late Fall 2018.

 

[koosh]

Take the coupler off the steering box. Grab the end of the shaft and yank it and it will extend. Put the coupler back together on the shaft. Unbolt the steering column from the dash holder. Reinstall the coupler and have someone hold the shaft or a pair of vise grips and a retention strap to the box. Put the column back in place.

Or you can read the restoration threads and see how to rebuild the collapsed shaft and column. Even my old man hitting the wheel in the ditch didn't collapse mine that far... Covered in my restoration thread about 2019 or Late Fall 2018.

Really appreciate everyones help…. Any idea what the “gap” should be, between the steering box shaft, and tge column shaft, so I’ll know if i can “uncollapse” the shaft it will be at proper length?

 

[koosh]

Looks like this is the way to go for replacement….from Stear and Gear