Stupid question re 70 Cuda steering column - manual steering

[usraptr]

Okay, I embarrassed to ask this, but I've been scratching my head and double and triple checking everything and I can't figure this out.  Took out my OEM steering column, disassembled, cleaned, painted, etc and reassembled.  Yesterday I went to put it back in the car and the coupler that connects the steering shaft to the manual steering box is about 3 inches away from the steering box.     The only possibility I can think of is that the engine, trans, shocks and torsion bars are not installed in the car.  So right now the steering linkage is about 1-2  inches of the ground.  Is this the issue?   When I re-install the torsion bars will that raise the suspension enough to then allow the steering column shaft to mate with the steering box??

[djw383]

Did you collapse the column during the rebuild? Did you try pulling the shaft out of the column?

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[1 Wild R/T]

Did you collapse the column during the rebuild? Did you try pulling the shaft out of the column?

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Yup, there are two possibilities, either you have a P/S shaft or the shaft has collapsed, easy to do, just standing the shaft on it's end can cause it.... Grab the lower shaft & give it a good tug....

[jhaag]

I agree..you have collapsed the column. FYI if the k member is bolted in the car, the steering box will not change position in relation to the column, firewall, or anything else for that matter.   

[anlauto]

3" sounds like the difference in power steering vs standard steering column length

[usraptr]

I agree..you have collapsed the column. FYI if the k member is bolted in the car, the steering box will not change position in relation to the column, firewall, or anything else for that matter.   

Jhagg and others who suggested the collapsed column, that's what I sort of thought, but couldn't think of any other explanations.  When you say "collapsed the column" are you referring to the actual steel steering shaft itself?  I though that was a solid one piece shaft?? 

Thanks for the other comments, but this is the original shaft/column that came out of the car.  I disconnected it from the steering box  and removed it from the car myself.  That's why I'm so baffled by this. 

[filmsurgeon]

FYI ---

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=91398.msg1069668#msg1069668

[1 Wild R/T]

Jhagg and others who suggested the collapsed column, that's what I sort of thought, but couldn't think of any other explanations.  When you say "collapsed the column" are you referring to the actual steel steering shaft itself? I though that was a solid one piece shaft?? 

Thanks for the other comments, but this is the original shaft/column that came out of the car.  I disconnected it from the steering box  and removed it from the car myself.  That's why I'm so baffled by this. 

No, it's two pieces that slide together, it's designed to collapse in the event of a head on collision to prevent the steering column from being pushed toward the driver effectively acting like a spear.....

It's a snug sliding fit that originally was bonded with rubber glue and nylon pins locked it in place... The pins & glue both fail over time & it's never been a problem, until you pull the column & stand it on the coupler end which often collapses the shaft...

[usraptr]

Thank you 1 Wild  R/T, and filmsurgeon.    Once again Wild R/T you come to my rescue.    I saw those plastic "pins" when I had it apart but didn't realize at the time that they were plastic or that the shaft was supposed to slide inside itself in the event of a collisions.  I just thought the accordion housing behind the steering wheel was the only thing that collapsed.  What would I do without all the helpful people on this forum who not only are willing to help but don't make you feel stupid when asking these kind of questions.  Sometimes I think I bit off too much when attempting this restoration myself, but with the help of the forum members hopefully I'll get this car back together again sometime in the near future.   

[1 Wild R/T]

How do you get the skills to do a restoration?  By jumping in & doing it.... But alittle guidance along the way from those who've been there never hurts.

[CUDA JAS]

How do you get the skills to do a restoration?  By jumping in & doing it.... But alittle guidance along the way from those who've been there never hurts.

 

Great people on this form!

Jason

[Chryco Psycho]

Make Sure you install the small dowel pin in the steering coupler after the shoes are slid inside as this is now the Only thing preventing the lower shaft from sliding out of the top of the coupler & disconnecting from the steering box

[usraptr]

Will do Chryco Psycho

[walkAbout]

Make Sure you install the small dowel pin in the steering coupler after the shoes are slid inside as this is now the Only thing preventing the lower shaft from sliding out of the top of the coupler & disconnecting from the steering box

1st I agree, great peeps on this forum.

I removed my steering wheel, crush can... in search for my ground problem for the horns... Pulled the shaft to get deeper, then noticed the shoes and the shoe spring under my car. It just slipped out. Reading in the ori manual I came across that dowel pin in the steering coupler and was wondering. Later I discovered, I don't have a dowel pin hole in my steering coupler.

Can I drill it myself? Is it just 1 hole in the upper area? Or does it go through the lower side? No problem till now, so I will leave it like it was. But you always mention the dowel pin.

Thanks
walkAbout

[walkAbout]

Make Sure you install the small dowel pin in the steering coupler after the shoes are slid inside as this is now the Only thing preventing the lower shaft from sliding out of the top of the coupler & disconnecting from the steering box

Hi,

me again, did a deeper look and NO, no dowel pin hole in my coupler. Maybe it is from another year. Here is also none:

For me no problem, as when I screw in the steering housings inside the car it cannot slip out anyway. My Challenger runs like this since, hmm, still in search who restored it in 2001/2002 in the LA area...

This coupling clamp is interesting though.

CU
walkAbout