Lower steering column

[Priesty]

Can anyone share a pic of what lower strg column should look like. Pretty sure this isn't quite right.

[CudamanTom]

It's missing the original plastic sleeve (dustcover). Pretty much the standard for these aging beauties.

I installed a bearing in mine. There is a thread on here about this process. Cheap and easy.

[swede-cuda]

 :wave:losen the 3bolts as seen in your pic,and center the upper column. 

[burdar]

The plastic piece is there...it's just painted black.  Originally, there was a foam piece inside that plastic part.  It keeps heat from the engine compartment from migrating up the column.  You can remove the plastic piece and make a new foam seal.  Then center the inner shaft in the outer column jacket when you tighten up the three bolts at the base of the column.

[Priesty]

So there is no centering bush or bearing originally, just a foam filler ?

[anlauto]

YES...There is nothing missing in your picture only the original foam has deteriorated...

You can center the shaft better in the tube by loosening the three bolts on the firewall plate and moving the column over.

[Topcat]

So there is no centering bush or bearing originally, just a foam filler ?

Nylon and foam...Fogetaboutit!

I switched and everybody here is heading that direction sooner or later.

Here's the thread on it.
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=91398.0

Roloc and sand the lower portion after the coupler and T tip is removed.

[anlauto]

Oh.....I guess I should have read ALL the replys before answering

[CudamanTom]

Nylon and foam...Fogetaboutit!

I switched and everybody here is heading that direction sooner or later.

Here's the thread on it.
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=91398.0

Roloc and sand the lower portion after the coupler and T tip is removed.

  
Looks much better. More functional than foam and looks to last a lifetime.
And like I mentioned earlier, cheap and easy to do. 

[Topcat]

If you go the bearing route as I recommended, you'll also need a coupler rebuild kit.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-GTX-Charger-Roadrunner-Cuda-Challenger-Mopar-Steering-Coupler-Rebuild-Kit-/231312888832?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35db529400&vxp=mtr#ht_82wt_900

Long fiber red grease is what I heard was the recommended grease to fill the coupler with.

[Priesty]

Yes already have coupling kit, as planning to change steering box soon, this is what prompted me to look at the bottom of the column. The wire retainer around the outside of the column tube in Topcat's phots, what does that hold in normally, as I have the slots for it but no wire clip ?
So if there is only one top bearing on the steering shaft, what stops it from flopping around inside the column at the bottom ?
While I'm on the steering box subject, does anyone have experience of the fast ratio Borgeson box & what are your thoughts if any, as opposed to changing pitman & idler arms to fast versions ?
cheers........

[Topcat]

Yes already have coupling kit, as planning to change steering box soon, this is what prompted me to look at the bottom of the column. The wire retainer around the outside of the column tube in Topcat's phots, what does that hold in normally, as I have the slots for it but no wire clip ?
So if there is only one top bearing on the steering shaft, what stops it from flopping around inside the column at the bottom ?
While I'm on the steering box subject, does anyone have experience of the fast ratio Borgeson box & what are your thoughts if any, as opposed to changing pitman & idler arms to fast versions ?
cheers........

the wire retainer is what once held the nylon housing into the tube.
If you do the bearing replacement, you really don't need to use it.

[burdar]

The retainer wasn't used in all years.  Some cars actually had a bearing at the bottom of the column...some didn't.  Your car never came with that metal clip.  The plastic retainer on the bottom just snaps into the lower column jacket.  On my Challenger, I made a new foam seal and reinstalled the original plastic retainer because it was a stock restoration.  On my Dart, I did the bearing mod.

[crash340]

Priesty
what you have is what the car came with, as the above have said, all that is missing is the foam, I have just re-foamed mine, took all of a couple of min to do. The bearing route is a nice touch however if your steeringshaft is in anyway slightly bent, which they can be as they are not a centreless ground shft, you may get an odd feeling in the wheel with tight spots, there is a bearing up the top near the wheel, and one on the top of the steering box, all good

[Priesty]

Thanks Crash, I think I will just center the column for now & add a foam filler, may revisit the bearing mod down the track.
Whereabouts in Oz are you ?

Thanks to all for your input, great community you have here.
cheers.....