The Great Pumpkin - '71 Duster
One of the first things I started on was the steering column as it was also was in need of a rebuild. The coupler cover had come loose long ago. Though I didn't find out until I took it apart, the steering shaft was collapsed. (found a replacement on Ebay) The steering wheel was clocked to the right and the manual box was leaking badly. The column shift collars were still on. I also wanted to use my new Tuff wheel I bought a few years back. So out it came for a rebuild and floor shift conversion.
I've done a few columns now and its not that hard. Finding the correct paint to match the original satin is the hardest part. I tried SEM coatings at first but I couldn't get the sheen or texture right. I sanded it all off and ended up using Rustoleum satin black. It was almost a dead nuts match.
I didn't take pics when I took it apart but here are some of the reassembly.
Just a pic for reference to show the difference between the floor and column collars.
Here are the parts laid out for the rebuild. I decided it was too shiny so it was sanded down and redone with different paint.
Here's the little wavy washer/bearing that goes under the key release collar. It sits in a slot at the top of the column jacket. Grease is your friend.
Key release collar with return spring.
Shaft lock. More grease.
Shaft with lock collar and roll pin installed.
Bearing collar with bearing installed. Sometimes those insulators will tear during disassembly. This one started to rip a little but I managed to work it free without any further damage. Bearing was cleaned and re-greased.
Here's a pic of the snap ring that sits in a groove in the shaft. It keeps these parts in place.
Ignition switch, shaft lock mechanism and key tumbler.
The lower bearing needed to be installed before the snap ring was in place. The bearing is secured with a set screw so I had to determine where it was going to sit before I put the shaft in place. It was a tight fit and needed some massaging with emery paper to slide up far enough. I was able to line it up with the hole at the bottom of the jacket to tighten the set screw. I slid it up the shaft far enough to sit behind the lower seal and retainer. You'd never know it was there unless I told you.
Column shift lower 'bearing' seal thing with retainer covers new insert bearing.
Steer and gear coupler seal.
Bracket and wiring cover. Note new biscuits.
Finished product awaiting installation. Note Tuff wheel adapter. I need one of those key release decals to complete it. Note the difference in luster from the earlier pic.
More to come.
One of the first things I started on was the steering column as it was also was in need of a rebuild. The coupler cover had come loose long ago. Though I didn't find out until I took it apart, the steering shaft was collapsed. (found a replacement on Ebay) The steering wheel was clocked to the right and the manual box was leaking badly. The column shift collars were still on. I also wanted to use my new Tuff wheel I bought a few years back. So out it came for a rebuild and floor shift conversion.
I've done a few columns now and its not that hard. Finding the correct paint to match the original satin is the hardest part. I tried SEM coatings at first but I couldn't get the sheen or texture right. I sanded it all off and ended up using Rustoleum satin black. It was almost a dead nuts match.
I didn't take pics when I took it apart but here are some of the reassembly.
Just a pic for reference to show the difference between the floor and column collars.
Here are the parts laid out for the rebuild. I decided it was too shiny so it was sanded down and redone with different paint.
Here's the little wavy washer/bearing that goes under the key release collar. It sits in a slot at the top of the column jacket. Grease is your friend.
Key release collar with return spring.
Shaft lock. More grease.
Shaft with lock collar and roll pin installed.
Bearing collar with bearing installed. Sometimes those insulators will tear during disassembly. This one started to rip a little but I managed to work it free without any further damage. Bearing was cleaned and re-greased.
Here's a pic of the snap ring that sits in a groove in the shaft. It keeps these parts in place.
Ignition switch, shaft lock mechanism and key tumbler.
The lower bearing needed to be installed before the snap ring was in place. The bearing is secured with a set screw so I had to determine where it was going to sit before I put the shaft in place. It was a tight fit and needed some massaging with emery paper to slide up far enough. I was able to line it up with the hole at the bottom of the jacket to tighten the set screw. I slid it up the shaft far enough to sit behind the lower seal and retainer. You'd never know it was there unless I told you.
Column shift lower 'bearing' seal thing with retainer covers new insert bearing.
Steer and gear coupler seal.
Bracket and wiring cover. Note new biscuits.
Finished product awaiting installation. Note Tuff wheel adapter. I need one of those key release decals to complete it. Note the difference in luster from the earlier pic.
More to come.
