lower steering column work

[Charger72SE]

attached is a picture of the lower steering column coming out of the firewall.  As you can see the steering column is off center and the bearing or bushing around it is shot.

I'm wondering what part or parts that are needed - do I need a new Steering Column Retainer, Lower Steering Column Bearing, or both? 

Also, I was going to replace the Steering Coupler with a kit I bought.  Do I need to disconnect anything in the car's interior on the Steering Column to replace these parts?  I don't know if the steering column will slide toward the interior after disconnecting the coupler.

thanks much!  I have a 72 SE with power steering and floor console slap stick tranny.

[Nacho-RT74]

There are two kinds available... one with a cut to fit without remove anything ( YO PN BH195 ) and another untouched part without cut ( YO PN BH194 ). If was me I would replace with the non cut kind COMPLETE assembly replacing both pieces. Remove that stuff is not really hard. Takes time but is pretty easy. You still have there  just the retainer itself.

Now the fact you will replace the steering coupler, will allows you to install the steering column retainer without remove the wheel and upper bearings and snap rings from shaft. When you remove the column from car and remove ALL the coupler kit, including a big pin that keeps the squared pieces attached on shaft, this will give you room to install the bearing and retainer from the lower side.

About coupler kit. Yes you will need to loose the steering column from dash and firewall. To make the complete GOOD job, also in fact would need to remove the coupler housing from steering box and install GOOD the  seal retainer. It can de done with the coupler housing on steering box, but is a little bit tedious at the moment to fit the seal retainer and would need to ppl to install, one pushing the steering column and another one keeping and fitting the coupler assembly untill get inserted on housing.

My car is a little bit easier since the shaft has an intermediate shaft that I can remove to install this without touch steering column itself.

[Charger72SE]

thanks Nacho for the reply

I talked to Paddock and they said that you use either the Bearing or the Retainer, and that for my application, all I need is the Retainer.

does that mnake sense to you?  I think you were suggesting that I needed both.  Where does the Bearing mount? 

[gtx6970]

you need this one with the foam seal (seal not shown)
it just snaps in to the bottom of the tube

[Charger72SE]

thanks much!!!

I'll order it tomorrow

[Chatt69chgr]

And I think I am correct in saying that a 2nd gen would not use this part.  It would use either the two bolt or three bolt varied with the metal sleeve in it.  Correct?  I am asking this for my own edification and to make sure that 2nd gen owners don't get confused on this.

[Nacho-RT74]

I think we are missing something else on this assembly and is not the kit... damn I can't remember my assembly right now!!!

[Nacho-RT74]

thanks Nacho for the reply

I talked to Paddock and they said that you use either the Bearing or the Retainer, and that for my application, all I need is the Retainer.

does that mnake sense to you?  I think you were suggesting that I needed both.  Where does the Bearing mount? 

maybe they are talking about the upper bearing located on collar, below the turning signal switch.

[gtx6970]

Just to clarify,The seal I've shown above is 1971 and LATER on MOST cars. There is a black foam seal that goes in behind it ( not shown but is included with my seals )

These are the ones used for 1968 and 69 - typically the 2 bolt is pass cars