71 B Body PWR/Manual Steering Column Length Difference

[FJ571440B]

 I'm converting my 71 Charger to manual steering from pwr(obviously),and I have the column apart anbd the rod seperated. Can anyone tell me the difference in length I need to make it? I know it needs to be longer but dont know by how much. Thanks all.

[RD]

that is a dangerous way of adjusting your steering column length.  the steering column shaft was meant to be collapsible.. the grooves and holes where the plastic was injected will not line up and you will not "safely" be able to adhere the two together to perform its intended function.

better to buy the shaft adapter than do it your way.  just an FYI mind you.  you can find those on ebay or mancini i believe.

[FJ571440B]

Well technically they are not adhered. The injection was just to have solid material hold them together. It is also easy to destroy with little effort,hence allowing it to collapse. The rods will still collapse into one another.Nothing ever "stuck" them together,it was a tight fit in the first place . After 35+ years,those rods are not moving,I had to beat it out. And back in because I went a little too far.It took the same amount of effort either way.
The only thing that would make them move in the car would be a front collision of course.
If I can beat it down by hand with a hammer,I'm sure that will make it collapse when it need be.
Anyways,I ended up extending it about 3 1/4". Works,fits nice.

[71 Bee Man]

Well technically they are not adhered. The injection was just to have solid material hold them together. It is also easy to destroy with little effort,hence allowing it to collapse. The rods will still collapse into one another.Nothing ever "stuck" them together,it was a tight fit in the first place . After 35+ years,those rods are not moving,I had to beat it out. And back in because I went a little too far.It took the same amount of effort either way.
The only thing that would make them move in the car would be a front collision of course.
If I can beat it down by hand with a hammer,I'm sure that will make it collapse when it need be.
Anyways,I ended up extending it about 3 1/4". Works,fits nice.

One thing I found which gave me a little more piece of mind, was a wire "clamp" which connects around the junction box where the steering rod has bushes and things connected to it. The Knuckle that the shaft goes into on top of the box.

I rebuilt the end of the steering rod with a kit off Ebay which included some new steel bushes and a new dust/oil cover, but then i also purchased the clamp which keep everything nice and tight and won't come out.

[FJ571440B]

Well I still have the little dowel pin that goes into the side of the coupler(knuckle) at the gear box. It is the little pin that goes through the coupler and protrudes from the other side,keeping all that from popping out.So I should be good.

[scottdidit]

The correct answer is 3 inches. yes 3 1/4 will work but that will not leave the coupler centered. Three inches is perfect. person is shortening and this trick will not work the other way around... the shaft will not have enough engagment. READ DANGER!!