Steering Shaft Coupler and Header Clearance

[Mopar Muscle]

Working on my basket case '65 again. Slowly sorting out issues from the original build 20+ years ago. Currently trying to tighten up play in the steering. The steering coupler has a lot of play and needs rebuilt, however, it appears there are come challenges.

The car had a manual steering column installed from a power steering car. It came from the factory (and still has) a manual box, so they used an adapter. The power steering column makes the coupler graze the header. Because of the light interference no clip was installed to hold the top rubber cover in place.

What are others doing to fix this short of installing a proper manual steering column? Down the road I'll do that, but just trying to get the car safe to drive occasionally.

 

[Don Frelier]

They originally had no mechanism "wire clip" to hold the cover over the rubber gasket as the metal cover was crimped over the small bumps at the upper edge of the coupler.
Pretty difficult to reproduce.

In you situation I would consider denting the #1 tube as necessary.
Otherwise if you leave the wheel or drive it with the coupler right up against the tube you risk burning the gasket and damaging the grease in the coupler as well.

 

[dvw]

If the coupler is assembled properly it should have no play. If the shoes are worn or installed 90 degrees of it will be sloppy. Pesonally I welded a shaft and Flaming River U joint on my 64.
Doug

 

[493 Mike]

Do not be scared to dent the tube. If you ever watched the episode of Engine Masters where they beat the hell out a set of headers and lost no HP you will grab a hammer!
Mike

 

[Mopar Muscle]

Just wanted to report back. I opted to install the Flaming River steering coupler. I couldn't be happier. Any and all slop I had in the steering is gone and lots of header clearance now. I'd recommend this to anyone looking to tighten up the steering and/or gain header clearance.

 

['71Beeper]

Just wanted to report back. I opted to install the Flaming River steering coupler. I couldn't be happier. Any and all slop I had in the steering is gone and lots of header clearance now. I'd recommend this to anyone looking to tighten up the steering and/or gain header clearance.

View attachment 1758282

I am changing from manual to power steering on my '71 roadrunner. I need a u joint coupler for my gear box. I have ordered 4 off of Ebay and can't find one to fit. I am not sure what size my input shaft is. It has 36 splines. Do you think Flaming River can help?​

 

[GASSR]

Two things you can try. Switch to the Borgeson UJ. #036425 Mopar vibration reducing universal joint coupling. Try shimming the motor over to the passenger side a little. Motor Mount Shim Pack

 

[j-c-c-62]

When not having the luxury and safety of a collapsible steering column solution in our old cars, and an u joint is acceptable, using double joints helps reduce the chances of a steering shaft ramming the driver's chest in an accident, for very little downside.