Sloppy steering

[Deleted member 214]

I put a new coupling kit rebuild kit (new spring and dogbones) on my steering column but there is still a lot of play where the column fits into the coupling. I know that modern radials take more to turn than the original skinny bias ply, but 225/70-15 BFG TAs shouldn't be THAT much worse. Any suggestions how to tighten it up???? Yes, the box was rebuilt less than 5,000 miles go and so was the front suspension, and yes I can see the slop is at the coupling.

 

[Histoy]

On my '64 Belvedere the dogbones can fit inside the coupling housing two ways. One way they fit in easily, but it's wrong, and will result in the condition you describe. The other way the dogbones fit in tight, which is correct, and there will be no play in the coupling. You might want to check this out on your car.

 

[Deleted member 214]

If I remember, they have one flat side and one curved side. I have the curved side out. Are you saying put them flat side out? That might work...

 

[Histoy]

Sorry, but I changed mine about 6 years ago, and I can't remember whether they were flat or curved when fit properly. I do remember that one way they fit in very easily, with a little play between the dogbones and housing, which was wrong. When installing them correctly, they fit into the housing very tight with no play. Possibly someone else can answer your flat vs. curved question.

 

[Histoy]

You can go to this site for coupler repair instructions to see if yours was assembled the same way....

http://www.buschis-place.de/steeringcouplerrepair.htm

 

[Deleted member 214]

I used the same kit and installed it the same way as on the repair link when I did the install. Now what?????