Steering column too short?

[frank1966]

Hello,

I removed my steering assembly to redo the coupler. When I put it back in the car today its about 3 inches short of the gear box? Does anyone know the dimensions? Maybe its partially collapsed? On the shaft cover there is a C clamp at the end what is the purpose of this? When I slide the assembly in it seems to line up with the dash fine to the firewall - the smaller cover (that bolts to the wall plate) is right up against those dimples in the cover. On the engine side I can see that c-clip (not sure what this doing, its just there not holding anything back) - from there to the box is too short, I pulled the coupler all the way out, still not long enough.  It looks like I need more length from the mounting plate to the box. Is that C-clamp suppose to be snug with the wall plate?
Thanks

[frank1966]

I measured the shaft from where the steering wheel mounts to the end of the coupler pulled all the way out, I am at 41.5 inches

[frank1966]

I removed the inner shaft. It looks like it is short. It measures 14 inches from where that shaft can collapse to the end where steering wheel mounts. Does anyone know what the length should be?

[70 sublime]

So this column was in your car all hooked up and working before you took it apart ?

[AKcharger]

Howdy Frank!  don't worry easy fix. There is a small nylon "shear pin" in the two piece shaft that allows it to collapse in event of collision (see photo) at some point you must have compresssed it. No biggie just pull it or tap on it to get it to move back out the 3 inches or so you need. If your like Uber super anal then remove the colum and disasseble like I did to replace that pin...but its absoultly not necessary

[AKcharger]

Oh and that "C" clamp holds the inner torque tube to the collapsable cage (see green arrows)

[frank1966]

Hi AK charger - yes iam pretty sure I did collapse, it do remember hammering the steering wheel end to tap out that bearing! Thanks for your reply's and PICS!

[frank1966]

So this column was in your car all hooked up and working before you took it apart ?

Yes - I banged around on the steering column end!

[jlatessa]

Did the same on our 70, didn't bother with the repair, works fine.

Joe

[AKcharger]

Yup, that will do it for sure!!! But don't feel bad your only like the 6700th person to do that!

Glad I could help, thats what this place is about!

[frank1966]

It worked! it popped right back out with some hammering! Its strange though because on one side I can still see some of that plastic pin kind of smashed up so I thought it did not collapse - even after I banged it out it did not effect that side with the pin. On the other side I do not see the pin - guess its only 1/2 way through

[AKcharger]

If it hooks up your good...while I got ya' you did use the new style retianer I hope

[Nacho-RT74]

about the collapsible system shaft and pins

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,43930.0.html

[frank1966]

If it hooks up your good...while I got ya' you did use the new style retianer I hope

OH! where can I get that! I cant get those little clips to hold! I am ready to tack weld it!

[b5blue]

I may have one let me check.

[b5blue]

Check the distance from cotter pin to top of coupler. If it's just about two and one half inches I have a new wire retainer that will fit. (Should be correct for 70 with power steering.) PM me. 

[Nacho-RT74]

If b5blue doesn't have it, they are available new repro at several places

[AKcharger]

Franks, trust me you WILL NOT get that on! It's a cruel joke people play selling those referb kits with out the recall keeper.

Anyway $9.95 from detroit Muscle, where I got mine and they're good people
https://www.detroitmuscletechnologies.com/mopar-a-b-e-body-74-76-dodge-plymouth-3-1-2-stainless-steering-column-coupler-cover-clamp-retainer/?msclkid=2fbaffbec7091e0cb010a05a6d82a914

[Nacho-RT74]

Franks, trust me you WILL NOT get that on!

I could fortunatelly make it AND ON CAR!!!

[AKcharger]

I could fortunatelly make it AND ON CAR!!!

If true I crown you "king of the Mopars" 

[birdsandbees]

 

[AKcharger]

lol...take another photo of it INSTALLED. Sure you can install it real pretty on a bench, but when you move/tap/tweek it on the shaft tha's where it pops off

[Nacho-RT74]

I could fortunatelly make it AND ON CAR!!!

If true I crown you "king of the Mopars" 

Trust me, is true. Not without fight for sure! LOL. Red rubber boot kit. Used couple of zip ties across the coupler body, but crossed, tight them up as much as posible and... hammer and screwdriver... voilá. So far so good has hold by 10 years, and survived a steering box rebuilding job, so had to remove the coupler.

[birdsandbees]

lol...take another photo of it INSTALLED. Sure you can install it real pretty on a bench, but when you move/tap/tweek it on the shaft tha's where it pops off

Yah okay, how do you think I put 2500 miles on the car this summer??

[AKcharger]

Yah okay, how do you think I put 2500 miles on the car this summer??
[/quote]

[frank1966]

Thanks! I tried the flat head, hammer, and clamp! every time I did one side the other popped out!

[AKcharger]

Thanks! I tried the flat head, hammer, and clamp! every time I did one side the other popped out!

[frank1966]

I like this forum a lot! I appreciate the responses, pics, and the pics with drawings! Its such a motivator to get this beast put back together again!

Is there an APP version of this forum to read easier on my phone?