Steering column mounting question

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RAVano

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Can someone post a picture of the steering column mounting bolts/studs on a 1971 Dart? I'm looking specifically for the area of the breakaway spacers and their location on the column mount. Thanks
 
72 column in a 74 Scamp. Best I can do.
20190427_105148.jpg
 
Here is my concern. Look at the location of the "breakaway spacers" in relation to the column mount. This is the best it will get. Could the column be collapsed?

Screenshot_20190512-091454_Gallery.jpg


20190512_091032.jpg
 
RAVano said:
Here is my concern. Look at the location of the "breakaway spacers" in relation to the column mount. This is the best it will get. Could the column be collapsed?

View attachment 1715334110

View attachment 1715334111
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I've seen them like that before. Doubtful that the column is collapsed. Doesn't look to be anyhow. Loosen the two bolts at the bottom of the column, but leave them in and loose. Loosen the nuts and bolt at the spacers. Slip it back and up. The plate and o ring should slip down. Tighten in reverse, bottom last. Has worked for me. Good luck!
 
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moparmandan said:
I've seen them like that before. Doubtful that the column is collapsed. Doesn't look to be anyhow. Loosen the two bolts at the bottom of the column, but leave them in and loose. Loosen the nuts and bolt at the spacers. Slip it back and up. The plate and o ring should slip down. Tighten in reverse, bottom last. Has worked for me. Good luck!
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Thanks. I'll try that. Makes sense that would draw it back down where it needs to be.
 
After these pictures were taken I removed it to change the steering gear worm shaft seal. Otherwise I'm not sure. The car had 85,000 original on it and it came from the original owner. It could have been dropped to get at the dash cluster at some time I suppose. Yeah, I didn't know the owner personally so I suppose that doesn't help. Sorry.
 
The box coupling is about 3 inches long. Shoes inside are about 1 inch long so there is some travel there. I'll guess you column is running in the very bottom of the coupling. Factory service manual may provide some info, where to measure from to, how to find the approx' center of the coupling. Columns do tend to drop a little when unbolted and lowered for services. That's why column shift owners often loose the neutral safety / linkage adjustment after these services.
 
moparmandan said:
I've seen them like that before. Doubtful that the column is collapsed. Doesn't look to be anyhow. Loosen the two bolts at the bottom of the column, but leave them in and loose. Loosen the nuts and bolt at the spacers. Slip it back and up. The plate and o ring should slip down. Tighten in reverse, bottom last. Has worked for me. Good luck!
Click to expand...

That did the trick. That is the way to adjust where the shoes ride in the steering coupler according to the assembly manual. Thank you @moparmandan !!
 
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