Does my power steering coupler have stripped splines or.....Update

[KillerBee]

Installed the rebuilt power steering column into the rebuilt power steering box in the car.
Everything seemed to go together good.

Moved on the installing the center link to the pitman and idler arms which went good.

I tried to turn the steering wheel and the coupler just turns on the splines on the steering box.

I have not installed the roll pin into the coupler yet as I was planning on installing it very last in case I needed to pull anything apart.
Would not having the roll pin installed cause the coupler to slip over the splines on the steering box?

Could I possibly have the wrong steering coupler?

The column/coupler seemed to have gone into the steering box far enough.

[Lbs]

Doesn't look like its on far enough. When you look through the roll pin hole you should see the slot in the spline that the pin seats in. That being said, when I slid my coupler onto the spline it was quite tight and needed some persuasion to go on all the way and their was no chance of not being able to tell if anything was stripped. Can you see the splined shaft turn when you turn the column? Maybe trouble in the box if the spline is turning, :dunno. Others can probably shed more light then me. Good luck.

[rUNCHARGER]

Maybe you have a M/S coupler.

Sheldon

[KillerBee]

The coupler is installed on to where it appears the gap in the splined shaft on the steering box is centered in the hole where the roll pin goes in.

Yes the coupler is definitely turning while the splines on the steering box are stationary.

What is the difference between a manual steering coupler and a power steering one?

[70chall440]

if the couple just slide over the shaft effortlessly; you have the wrong coupler. shouldn't be overly difficult but you have to line up the splines and that is usually something you take note of.

[KillerBee]

Everything was lined up, master spline on steering box and notch and master spline on coupler.

Everything went together smoothly with very little resistance,( maybe too smoothly)?

The coupler seems a little too big for the splines on the steering box.

So I guess have the roll pin installed or not doesn't make a difference?

Does anyone know the difference between a manual coupler and a power steering coupler?
Is one longer than the other?
Could it be a difference the spline diameter and or size?

[rUNCHARGER]

The M/S coupler splines are about 1/4 inch bigger than the P/S splines as I remember.

Sheldon

[70chall440]

the roll pin keeps the coupler from coming off the input shaft, it does not make it tighter per se. that said, putting the pin in might make it feel like it grabs but that will be a false sense of security. you have an issue you need to fix before moving on.

[anlauto]

Sounds like the wrong coupler

[roadman5312]

I just measured a M/S shaft @ 0.73  and P/S @ 0.61. measured @ splines. 

[KillerBee]

Thanks guys.

I'm leaning towards the wrong coupler, I hope.

Are the exterior dimensions the same between both couplers?

Seems like prices for PS couplers are all over the place, any good places to buy them?

Anyone know if the Dorman-425-252 would work?
http://www.amazon.com/Dorman-425-252-Steering-Shaft/dp/B000TYODE6

[anlauto]

Yes the exterior dimensions are the same....pretty cool Dorman has something like that.....I knew a guy that was going crazy trying to find a "pit-free" one for his OE resto....never knew they could be bought new...

No idea if that Dorman one will fit though...

[KillerBee]

Yes the exterior dimensions are the same....pretty cool Dorman has something like that.....I knew a guy that was going crazy trying to find a "pit-free" one for his OE resto....never knew they could be bought new...

No idea if that Dorman one will fit though...

Steer and Gear lists one on their website with OEM part number-OEM 4115549:
"Coupler - Power Steering. Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth. Fits cars, full-size pickups and vans from 1966 - 1982.
OEM 4115549  Price: $115.00" 


If you Google that OEM part number it comes up with the Dorman 425-252 part number but the applications for the Dorman part are for 80's Vans and Trucks.

Big difference in price if it works.

[rUNCHARGER]

Any 82 pickups in the junkyards near you...

Sheldon

[KillerBee]

Well after chasing my tail all week I finally got it sorted.

I initially went to my Dodge dealership and bought steering coupler part number 4115549 which is also the part number the repop ones from Dorman lists.
Unfortunately the next day when I picked it up and tried to install it I quickly discovered it is the larger splined coupler for manual steering vehicles.
In comparing it to my current couple it was obvious my original coupler was the correct smaller one but after a close inspection the splines on it ARE badly stripped which is why the coupler was turning freely on the splined input shaft on the steering box.

In calling the steering box rebuilder I was told the Dodge dealerships no longer carry or sell the smaller power steering couplers and anything you order from them are the larger splined manual steering couplers, I would guess the Dorman repop ones are the larger manual steering ones too.

I found a few used power steering couplers on E-bay but since this is going on the wifegod's car and I wanted the steering on the car to be 100% safe I decided to buy a brand new power steering coupler from the place that sold me the rebuilt extra firm steering box, the only other place I was able to find brand new power steering coupler was Bouchillon.
So the new coupler arrived today and fits perfectly.
So now I'm waiting for one of those Mopar upgrade wire clamps that hold the coupler lid on, should be here early next week.


The new PN 4115549 manual steering coupler that the Dodge dealerships sell with the larger splines is on the bottom, my original power steering coupler with the smaller stripped splines is on the top.