Dropping Charger Steering Column

[Richin65]

Trying to lower the steering column to have some room to get my instrument cluster in and out. I losened the three bolts on the support and the thing isn't moving at all...What am I missing? Thanks!!!!

 

[Richin65]

ops:, I meant to say losened the nuts, not bolts.

 

[coloradodave]

What year? Normally there are 3 bolts at the firewall and 2 bolts in a yoke under the dash. Usually loosening the yoke is all you need to do to drop it a little.

 

[70rr-brian]

What year? Normally there are 3 bolts at the firewall and 2 bolts in a yoke under the dash. Usually loosening the yoke is all you need to do to drop it a little.

What he said. Just loosening the 2 under the dash will buy you a couple of inches.

 

[tpodwdog]

heres what i did (70 RR)....loosen the ones directly under the dash, leave the nuts on,,,just run them almost all the way down. loosen the ones where where column goes thru the firewall down at the floor. taking the steering wheel off would be a plus but its not necessary !

 

[Bruzilla]

Under the nuts are some heavy-duty lock washers that become married to the studs over time. Loosen the two nuts, then give the column a good tug downward and it'll come loose.

When I changed out my dash cluster, I was able to just let the steering column lower all the way to the fllor, which gave me plenty of room to work.

 

[Richin65]

Thanks guys. Sorry , failed to mention that it is a 68. Sounds like I losened everything I needed. I'll crawl back under there and look for those pesky washers. Appreciate all the inputs and tips!!!!

 

[marlabuck]

The guys here told me how to drop my steering wheel...just like they said loosen the nuts and she'll drop down...I had to give my 73 RR a little nudge but it was cool to do...gave me lots of room when I redid my cluster.:snorting:...Marla

 

[Propwash]

Like the others said, you'll have 2 studs under the column, with a heavy lock type washer..The two nuts and washers tighten against white plastic spacers..There is also a bolt under there as well, back from of the studs about six inches. It also has one of those washers. Sometimes the factory also had shims in between the plastic spacer and the metal mounting frame, so pay attention....they need to go back where they came from. At the firewall you have 4 bolts holding on an odd shaped 4" x 6" plate to the firewall...Loose them and you're golden. There is also a collar with two bolts securing the column to that odd shaped plate. There is no need to take those two bolts out of the collar if you take those 4 bolts out, she'll drop.....Also keep in mind there is a certain position forward/back the column/steering shaft needs to sit when bolted in. You don't want it too far forward or back out of the steering coupler. There is a gage hole in the steering shaft close to the coupler. That should be 13/16" from the top of the coupler according to the 1968 Service manual...

 

[Richin65]

You know the old saying you realize your *** deep in alligators when your only intentions was to drain the swamp? So I got the steering column to drop a little. It finally gave. (I losened two bolts at the firewall and the two nuts and 1 bolt up by the column). So I go back out to the shop later and find a big puddle of power steering fluid under my car. It appears to have leaked where the shaft enters the power steering pump....Now I'm thinking I screwed up the Seal? Thoughts??

 

[amar67]

Was it a busted seal or did the leak stop once you put everything back in? I'm also having one heck of a time getting the steering column to drop enough to get the cluster out.

 

[Richin65]

Was it a busted seal or did the leak stop once you put everything back in? I'm also having one heck of a time getting the steering column to drop enough to get the cluster out.

Nope, still was leaking from the box after I put it back together. Fixed now, but that sucked. Good luck with your project.