Seering column/ Couple issue - Need help

[Bigal75]

Car is a '67 Coronet R/T, 727 , I converted to manual steering with the adapter. My issue is I seem to have play in the main steering shaft that's connected to the coupler (factory one) - this causes a rattle and knock
in the column and it drives me insane - not to mention there's something definately wrong and I would hate for something to fail in the steering system.

I did notice that the shaft that goes into the the column (intermediate shaft?) wiggles in the coupler and I can make it rattle - is there supposed to be some loose in there?

Also the shaft has play going into the column - is there supposed to be a bushing or something preventing this? This all started after I swapped out to manual steering - the box
seems nice and tight so I don't think the steering gear has issues.

Anyone come accross this type of issue?

 

[A383Wing]

instead of using adapter, you could have just tapped the center section of the shaft out to the box....there are nylon pins inside to stop slop and rattle, but the column is supposed to move in and out because it's a collapsible style

also sounds like the shaft is installed wrong inside the coupler...sounds like the "shoes" are 90* out

 

[mopar 3 B]

Also did you grease the coupler? Pack it with bearing grease before putting the dust boot on.

 

[Cmmopar]

These might be helpful to you...

 

[A383Wing]

I ordered 3 of those coupler clamp springs...there was a guy on ebay that reproduced them..I have not installed them yet

 

[Bigal75]

Well I'm taking everything apart this weekend. I may have installed the shoes in the coupler incorrectly.

 

[Bigal75]

instead of using adapter, you could have just tapped the center section of the shaft out to the box....there are nylon pins inside to stop slop and rattle, but the column is supposed to move in and out because it's a collapsible style

also sounds like the shaft is installed wrong inside the coupler...sounds like the "shoes" are 90* out

Are you saying I can slide the shaft out to extend it?

 

[mopar 3 B]

Are you saying I can slide the shaft out to extend it?

The column is designed to collapse on impact thus shearing the nylon pins that align the shaft as a safety feature. It is not designed this was for adjustment between manual and power steering units. If you have ever seen an older vehicle with a solid steering column after a head on impact you would soon understand why messing with this safety feature is not a good idea. The results can be decapitating need i say more!

 

[Cmmopar]

It is common for people to just extend it. I personally would buy a non collapsed or non extended shaft or a whole column to get shaft from. Though they don't provide much resistance the plastic shear pellets in column shafts do prevent shaft from moving with extreme instances of inertia or vibration. The crimped on coupler seal cover does not provide any protection to prevent shaft from retracting, tearing cover off and thus total loss of steering. (Very rare occurrence relative to # of people extending shaft but some instances reported, one example, net search will turn up more.) On the 67 column with original lower bearing style the collar that retains spring against lower bearing will also provide a little protection against movement. http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/6146789/site_id/1#import

Some couplers had provision for small pin just below seal cover to help prevent this. This was later omitted so either expediency or engineering must have decided with plastic sheer pellets in place this wasn't really an issue. The coupler clamp above should prevent this also. If your 67 coronet is an early production (before March 15th '67) column you will have a horn ground clip where the two column shaft sections come together. If you choose to extend shaft it can come loose and you may experience a grinding sound and feel or hear a rattle in column. Late year production columns used a staple through the upper bearing isolator and an auxiliary wire ground on column by under dash mounting bracket as horn grounds and did not use this ground clip.

Where you state you have play in shaft where it goes in column is this lateral play due to bad lower column bearing or is it play from front to rear?

 

[Bigal75]

^ I know there's a lot of play in the coupler, I'm tearing into the column and shaft this weekend - I'll keep you all posted. Thanks everyone.

- - - Updated - - -

Is the bearing available for the steering column?

 

[Cmmopar]

Lower bearing parts available here.

http://www.dynamicrenovation.net/viewitem.php?productid=90

You have to re-use two piece race... They sell parts individually so if all you need is felt ring etc should be a lot cheaper. Upper bearing still available from mopar or ebay, web ,etc -Part #2265656

 

[Bigal75]

Lower bearing parts available here.

http://www.dynamicrenovation.net/viewitem.php?productid=90

You have to re-use two piece race... They sell parts individually so if all you need is felt ring etc should be a lot cheaper. Upper bearing still available from mopar or ebay, web ,etc -Part #2265656

Thank you very much!

 

[Bigal75]

Took a quick peek with a mirror and trouble light...looks like the shoes are 90° out.

- - - Updated - - -

Any tricks to remove the column? Just the bolts on the floor and the four on the upper part of the column?

 

[Cmmopar]

Took a quick peek with a mirror and trouble light...looks like the shoes are 90° out.

- - - Updated - - -

Any tricks to remove the column? Just the bolts on the floor and the four on the upper part of the column?

Column removal pretty Easy. Follow factory service manual and you should have no problem. When removing column bracket under dash be careful to mark and bag any shims present so you can put them back in the same exact place, they may be varying thicknesses or quantity. Never hammer column. Adjust as per technical service bulletin in earlier post. This might help too:

 

[Bigal75]

Ok so I took everything apart. ..will have to get the cross pin pressed out because that sucker is in there tight. There was no bearing in there just dust and a crap load of play. Now there's a spring and two washer like pieces in there but whatever ball bearings there were there are long gone.

 

[Bigal75]

Any ideas on how to get that cross pin out?

 

[383man]

I used to replace some of the cross pins some years back when I worked at the Dodge dealer. Sometimes when we serviced the coupler we would find the crosspin partly rusted away. The best way we got the rusted ones out was to heat the pin some with a torch and then grab the heated pin with vise grips and twist it to break it loose and pull it out. Good luck , Ron

 

[Bigal75]

Thanks

 

[dink]

You can adjust the column at the firewall.. And where its supported at the dash... You will need new gaskets

 

[Pops1967GTX]

some information

http://ramchargercentral.com/articles/?sa=view;article=85