Need education on my 65 Dodge Coronet Steering Column innards

[SUPERSTOCKRACER]

I want to get my steering wheel to have that springy movement when I turn the wheel. I want the wheel to return to its regular position and I believe theres some pieces missing inside my steering column. Can anyone give me a breakdown of whats involved inside the column to replace. Its a 65 coronet 440. Feels like a little grinding going on inside.

 

[moparsteve636]

It,s a pretty simple setup! in the column there is a nylon bushing with a seal,it is on the end of the tube also a bushing at the steering wheel end.the coupling end only a couple of half round blocks.

 

[Polara426]

There is not much to these columns one bearing on top near streering wheel and coupler at the gearbox you can get a repair kit for the coupler and there is a repair explained on the 62 to 65 b body web site how to repair 64 plymouth column great article and easy to do

 

[SUPERSTOCKRACER]

There is not much to these columns one bearing on top near streering wheel and coupler at the gearbox you can get a repair kit for the coupler and there is a repair explained on the 62 to 65 b body web site how to repair 64 plymouth column great article and easy to do

I'm not running a stock coupler anymore. I run a flaming river coupler.
Wheres the best place to get those upper and lower bearings? thanks.

 

[Satellite65]

I replaced my lower seal/bushing with a solid Delrin piece from RMS. It doesn't look stock but does a better job of keeping the shaft centered inside the tube. As far as the upper bearing goes, all I did was clean it and pack some white lithium grease into it before re-assembly. Seems pretty good now. There's really not very much going on inside these columns.

The 'feel' you're looking for, when the wheel returns to center by itself when coming out of a turn is from caster, something these oldies didn't have a lot of to begin with. Take it to an alignment shop (a good one with an old guy that knows WTF he's doing) and have them try to dial in a couple of degrees of positive caster. If it can't be done without screwing up the camber settings then you might have to get a set of offset upper control arm bushings and install them to set the upper ball joint back further.

 

[wannadrag]

Also happens if the box is adjusted to tight.

 

[SUPERSTOCKRACER]

Also happens if the box is adjusted to tight.

I'm going to check my adjustment again on the box. Im wondering if my worm gear is too tight. I'll also check the fluid in there.

What gear box fluid do you recommend inside?