73 Challenger restomod

[anlauto]

Mice

[dave73chally]

If I had to guess I would say it was one of the serrated nut/washer that was pulled through or rotted out around it or perhaps a star washer. The bolt goes from the top down with a washer and nut underneath it.

What was bolted there? I didn't have anything?

[brads70]

Started the tear down process. Removed the front end today. Bagged, tagged and photographed it all. Here's how it's sitting now:


When I removed the battery tray, I found these holes underneath. Top hole looks rotted out but bottom is shaped really weird. Was anything ever mounted below the battery tray? Any idea what this could be from?

Mine was the same, water and battery acid takes a toll after 45 years. Easy fix though 1/2 hour job.

[soundcontrol]

That looks like someone has drilled small holes in a circle to make a bigger hole. Dont know why, but it don't look like a rust hole.

[dave73chally]

That looks like someone has drilled small holes in a circle to make a bigger hole. Dont know why, but it don't look like a rust hole.

Yea exactly. Brad - Any harm in welding the section solid or is there a purpose for those holes?

[70chall440]

Now that you say that, I think you are right. Most likely the original nut was rusted onto the bolt and someone couldn't get it would, this was their answer; this would assume the battery tray was rusted through as well or perhaps they drilled through it too.

[brads70]

Yea exactly. Brad - Any harm in welding the section solid or is there a purpose for those holes?

The holes and slots are for the fasteners for the battery tray and a drain hole. If you were mounting the battery in the trunk I guess you could fill in those holes for a cleaner look.

[dave73chally]

Having some trouble getting the roll pin out of the steering column. Does it only come out from one side and if so, is there a way to tell which side?

[Mpdlawdog]

Having some trouble getting the roll pin out of the steering column. Does it only come out from one side and if so, is there a way to tell which side?

yes I only goes out one way....if you look real close you can see that one side is bigger than the other...obviously hit it from the small end out.....I took a small punch and knocked it out....

[dave73chally]

Got the pin out, used an old pushrod and worked perfectly. I loosened the 2 bolts under the steering column to drop it down. There is a plate at the firewall with 3 bolts then another in front of that one with 2 bolts. What is the purpose of each and which one needs to be removed to pull the column enough to remove from the steering box?

[70chall440]

The big plate is there to allow the column to be pulled out for columns that have levers on the them. I am not sure if there were different plates

The small plate seals the column to the big plate and I believe positions it relative to the steering box.

[dave73chally]

Unbolted the 3 bolts at the firewall. Steering column pulled back more but still partially sitting in the coupler. Should it retrieve fully out of the coupler? Or should the coupler come with it? Being cautious, don't want to break anything

[70chall440]

The coupler should come out with the steering column.

[dave73chally]

The coupler should come out with the steering column.

Is it safe to hit it and try to work it out?

[lulurocks]

I use a balljoint pickle fork to walk the coupler off the box.  After i soak the spline with pb blaster thru the rollpin hole .  Gently. .dont strike the pickle fork ..softly pry.. Try to put something on the box side  so you not pushing off the casting......