Manual vs Power Steering Shafts

[Dana67Dart]

In another post a member was asking about what is needed to go from manual to power steering (I believe his car was a 70 up)

I needed to swap shafts on my67 Dart #2, I'm going from power to manual (I did not want to use an adapter) so I documents the shaft lengths and details.

67-69 A bodies... (70 starts a different set of part numbers AND this does not cover the BB specific shaft for 68-69)

Steering shaft (Section 19-15-4)
Manual Steering 2880169
Power Steering 2880170

Steering wheel end lined up

Notice the lower shaft is shorter on the PS vs the Manual not just the length of the bottom with the cross bars

Overall length

Manual Steering

Power Steering

Taper / weld on the lower shaft lined up (and no you can not just drill a new hole the other end will be short)

Continued...

 

[Dana67Dart]

In taking the 2 columns apart I discovered some differences..

1. The 67 column uses 2 hex head screws and 2 square nuts to attach the upper decorative part with the steering shaft bearing and turn signal switch to the outer column, while the 68 uses 2 square headed T bolt and 2 hex nut
2. I found a steering shaft ground clip (Section 19-15-04 PN6015501) in the 67 column but not in the 68 column (see photos). The parts book still calls it out in 68 but did they add a ground in the turn signal wiring in 68 up?
3. The obvious lower shaft bearing

With the brake away plastic separating the upper and the lower shafts, it looks like they though a ground clip was in order. This clip makes a ground path from the steering wheel, to the steering shaft, to the steering box, to the frame.

 

[Professor Fate]

And this is with the plastic shear pins intact, correct? Someone will ask, so it may as well be me...

 

[Dana67Dart]

And this is with the plastic shear pins intact, correct? Someone will ask, so it may as well be me...

yes absolutely UNMOLESTED columns, never apart that I could tell and I never had a hammer within 25 feet of either when I took them apart on the table. I even made a puller that functions similar to the one in the FSM.

I also took both columns out of both cars they were in.

 

[Mojoe9955]

Thanks, for the good info Dana, I never did want to modify my PS column. It seems like alot of work. Also I'm not sure of the final configuration steering wise, but I do know that, I do not like the sloppy Mopar power steering. My box and pump leak and eventually, I'll probably go with Borgeson, but it's not in the budget now. I made a deal for a used box with a member here and picked up an adapter from Mancini.
Although not quite an air bag, the idea of a collapsible column, to avoid a steering wheel to the chest has merit.
Thanks

 

[Ozyduster]

Can i ask why you dont want to use an adapter? As about to purchase a manual box for my one and going to use an adapter that comes with the box. Is there an issue with the adapters?

 

[Ozyduster]

And this is with the plastic shear pins intact, correct? Someone will ask, so it may as well be me...

Is this the same in the 74s currently the whole car stripped to nothing however column still in it but will need to come out. Is this something i need to check

 

[Mojoe9955]

Can i ask why you dont want to use an adapter? As about to purchase a manual box for my one and going to use an adapter that comes with the box. Is there an issue with the adapters?
I'm not opposed to using them. It just a matter of economics, at $131 plus shipping being the cheapest and up to almost $200 the ones, I've found, it just seems ridiculous, but these are the times.

 

[Scody21]

Can i ask why you dont want to use an adapter? As about to purchase a manual box for my one and going to use an adapter that comes with the box. Is there an issue with the adapters?

I have the auto column with the adapter running a manual box. That adapter is sloooooopppppyyyyyy….

 

[BrianT]

Can i ask why you dont want to use an adapter? As about to purchase a manual box for my one and going to use an adapter that comes with the box. Is there an issue with the adapters?

There’s no issue with them that I’m aware of? I’m doing the same thing this spring. Luckily I was able to buy a used PST box and a new adapter for $50.

 

[Dana67Dart]

Can i ask why you dont want to use an adapter? As about to purchase a manual box for my one and going to use an adapter that comes with the box. Is there an issue with the adapters

Oogly!

 

[Dana67Dart]

Is this the same in the 74s

The part numbers changed in 1970 so I assume not.

 

[Dana67Dart]

It seems like alot of work.

The disassembly was pretty easy. Both columns came apart easily, one was in a field since 76 and a convertible with no top. The other unknown storage.

I removed both column from both cars. All of the parts EVAPO-RUSTed clean as a whistle.

The lower bearing bushing on one broke apart, the one sitting in the sun Since 76.

Luckily I have another in good shape.

The lower bearings on both are scratchy sounding but I suspect some lube will help that. I plan to polish and replace the BBs on the 67 lower. That bearing is disassemble able.

 

[Mojoe9955]

I have a 74 Duster and knew there differences with the the steering links, pitman arms and tie rod ends. Also the power steering boxes have 1.25 sector shafts as opposed to the earlier models 1.125 shafts. I maybe mistaken, but all the manual steering boxes all have the 1.125 shaft which means I'll need a 74 pitman arm to fit the 1.125 shaft?
I picked up the power to manual adapter and when looking for a rebuild kit for the connection I find out that 73 back power steering connection is 3" long while the later ones are 3.5" long. Would that mean that mean the 74 PS column is shorter than earlier years? Or is the position of the steering box further away as the K frame with the spool mounts a change from 73 on? I know I can solve the problem, but it gets ridiculous sometimes.

 

[scatpackbee]

Great info

 

[scatpackbee]

In another post a member was asking about what is needed to go from manual to power steering (I believe his car was a 70 up)

I needed to swap shafts on my67 Dart #2, I'm going from power to manual (I did not want to use an adapter) so I documents the shaft lengths and details.

67-69 A bodies... (70 starts a different set of part numbers AND this does not cover the BB specific shaft for 68-69)

Steering shaft (Section 19-15-4)
Manual Steering 2880169
Power Steering 2880170

Steering wheel end lined up
View attachment 1716367411
View attachment 1716367412
View attachment 1716367413
Notice the lower shaft is shorter on the PS vs the Manual not just the length of the bottom with the cross bars
View attachment 1716367441

Overall length

Manual Steering
View attachment 1716367415

Power Steering
View attachment 1716367414



Taper / weld on the lower shaft lined up (and no you can not just drill a new hole the other end will be short)
View attachment 1716367420
View attachment 1716367421
View attachment 1716367422

View attachment 1716367424

Continued...

67-69 A bodies... (70 starts a different set of part numbers AND this does not cover the BB specific shaft for 68-69)


Does anyone know what is the difference between the 67-69 big block steering shaft and a non big block shaft is?

 

[Dana67Dart]

Does anyone know what is the difference between the 67-69 big block steering shaft and a non big block shaft is?

My understanding is the 67 outer column is the same as all other engines, but in 68-69 the outer column got shorter for manifold clearance.

My wording was not clear in the post you referenced. The steering shaft would be the same but the outer column would bevdiferent

 

[Dana67Dart]

Does anyone know what is the difference between the 67-69 big block steering shaft and a non big block shaft is?

When you asked the question I thought oops I was referring to the outer column ( jacket) So i looked again. At least in 69 there is a BB specific shaft but not a BB specific column ( jacket)

no BB specific column (jacket)
1969 parts book

I checked 67 parts book
Only one manual steering shaft for all engines (power was not an option w BB in 67)

But the column ( jacket) is called out with a seperate part for BB

As for differences, you got me.

 

[scatpackbee]

I believe the ‘68 parts manual is not correct. It only calls out for one shaft for the non 383 Valiant and Barracuda. It doesn’t differentiate between manual or power steering for shaft 19-15-4.

 

[Dana67Dart]

Check again. The 67 parts book has a section for manual (standard) and power basically a copy of the manual section but with extra photos and part numbers for the power parts

68 power section