Steering gear coupler. Any alternatives

[Kevin71]

I am having to to pull the steeering column to redo the coupling.  I had the engine out at a shop and had them change the power steering gear box.  They just tapped the column back away from the spline swaped it and tapped it back.  Well they tore the coupling apart.  There is only those little tabs holding it together.  Is there anything else that you can use instead of this thing.  It's real hard to get the tabs bent over holding it together  without breaking one off.  I have done it twice already and have yet to find a good way to hold it all together while you bend the tabs over

[dutch]

Your column would not allow to tap the coupler off without breaking the plastic pins that secure the collapsable shaft.... Manual says in fat print  "do not tap "   
Also, there should be a tiny roll pin to keep the coupler from falling apart.  I`d make the shop fix it... and stay there while they`re at it.
seriously, that`s health hazard when not fixed.

[johns cuda shop]

I always use a coupler crimp tool to crimp the tin cap on the steering coupler 

[Kevin71]

The pin was pulled from the coupling assembly then they just pushed back away from the steering gear box.  But that would take a little more than just sliding.  They swapped the gear box out then pushed the coupling back down onto the steering gear and reinserted the pin.   The steering shaft coupling has separated from the cover holding the seal in place.   I am assuming that they must have tapped it into place because it just doesn't slide up and down as far as I can tell.  Where are the plastic pins? would this have sheared them.  And if so what kind of problem would this cause driving or a safety stand point.  And where do I get a crimp tool.  Got to get one of those to put this back together.  To hard without.   I better fix this myself.  As you can tell this hasn't gone very well.  Oh did I mention they asked me to pick up the car and no charge we just f'd up and no fee for that.  Boy pissed off just doesn't go far enough.  The motor blew all the oil out because it was running to rich and washed the cylinder walls down putting pressure on the oil pan and dumped out 54 quarts of oil.  I shut it off just as the oil pressure drops to 0.  So they were supposed to pull the motor tear it down and check it for damage.  I didn't think it was going to have any but I wanted to make sure.  So the steering gear box had been leaking now is a good time to fix.  Boy was I wrong.  They pulled the engine let it sit for 3 months and tell me to come get it.   

[Chryco Psycho]

The column is 2 piece with plastic pins so if you are in an accident the column will not spear you , so you have to disassemble the column to get to the inner shaft & repair the pins ,the shop replacing the steering box did it incorrectly &  as Dutch said the coupler should have a small roll pin preventing the shaft from pulling out of the coupler 

[jhaag]

why replace the plastic shear pins if they are designed to shear in an accident anyway? is it really necessary? 

[HP2]

You can use one of these;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Mopar-2996935-Steering-Coupler-Retaining-Clamp-most-62-80-Dodge-Plymouth-/301416193929?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item462dce1f89&vxp=mtr

[johannes]

Hard to understand what has happened just from reading your story.
I assume  the hollow pin attaching the coupler to steering box was removed and re-installed ?....... and the "lid" has been pulled from the coupler by accident
I drove for MANY years with the "lid" totally loose.... as there is another pin holding parts together (see pic)
.....the lid is for keeping dirt out......
I finally took the coupler apart, re-greased it, and tack welded the "lid" back on.....
Was this helpful at all

[Kevin71]

Yes it finally dawned on me about the pin.  It's small and I see it well in the pic above.  When they pulled the gear box they pulled the pin that goes thru steering gear splines.  He just pushed the column up toward the firewall.  When he put the gear box back in he just pulled the column with the coupler on it back down on the  steering gear box splines and re installed the pin.  The coupler separated from the cover tore the seal and sheared off the little pin holding the coupler together.  Quality mechanics they just grow on trees.  I even told them before hand the entire column had to come out and how it did.  Loaned them my Manuel also.  couldn't take the time to do it right.   I have a rebuild kit coming.  In the past I just remeber how hard it is to get the seal cover in place and tabs bent over correctly and securing in it closed.  The wire cage looking piece that was posted is ideal.  I order on of those too.  It's like Christmas with all the presents coming.  So does anyone know how far the steering column would have to be pushed toward the Firewall to break the plastic shear pins.  If they are broken, is it a problem?.   I have looked and looked in the manuel and I don't see anything about these plastic pins.  Where would you get them and where do they go. 

[Chryco Psycho]

 The shear pins keep the column from retracting upward  , if the small drive pin is missing from the coupler the shaft could literally slide up & disconnect so you lose steering while driving . I would rather have a steel pin in the shaft so the column cannot retract or collapse knowing it cannot possibly disconnect .
 There are two holes in both the inner & outer shaft , the nylon pins are pressed into those holes .
 I prebend the tabs on the cover & just carefully slide it over the coupler hopefully without bends the tabs , just springing them open enough to clear

[Kevin71]

Where are the plastic pins at. Maybe a zip tie cut down could go thru the hole.