65 Cuda Steering pot coupler tabs.....Help!

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JeffreyLee

JeffreyLee

1965 Barracuda
Joined
Sep 20, 2017
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meridian Id
I have spent most of the day fighting those d@#% retainer tabs that hold the rubber boot to the steering coupler. I would be happy to use the large clip that goes over the top of the coupler, but because it is an early A.....It looks like the housing is shorter and those readily available clips won't work. Is there an alternative for my car? I have clamps, channel locks, vise grips....everything on my bench. I already broke one of the tabs off my original metal cap, so I am now using the aftermarket one that came with my re-build kit. The smallest things can be the biggest pain. Any ideas guys?
Thanks
 
It's a PIA to get those tabs crimped! I was able to do it with my son's help. Basically used a flat screwdriver and hammer while seating the cover, my son crimped the tabs with a few taps with the hammer. 65'
 
is yours square or rounded? There were 2 styles, early square (64ish) and later. Ive never seen a kit for the early square ones.
 
I was looking at mine today.
Its apart. I dont recall how i did the one on the power wagon, but i eventually cut it out and welded in a gm coupler, will likely do the same with this one.

I thought i used big needle nose pliers,one tab then diagonal across and repeated. What kept failing was the u-spring inside and the shoes would be loose.
 
If your couple looks like this it is best rebuilt out of the car.
With the column out of the car it is easy.
1. Put cover in vice with the tabs clamped in about half way, hammer cover to bend tabs about 45^
2. With column standing up assemble coupler and clamp cover on as tight as you can (get creative with a couple c-clamps)
3. With a drift drive all the tabs in and down.

Without clamping there is no way to get the tabs to bend over the nubs on the housing, pre-bending the tabs makes for a better bite on the nubs.


Alan

2008-08-23_001.jpg
 
I recall seeing another option.. a molded rubber boot. It covered most of the outside of the coupler. Was a couple years before the wire retainers became available so the boots may not be available today.
Google images didn't show those boots but did show Detroit Muscle Tech / Ebay picture of formed wire retainers on 2 different Chrysler box coupling shapes.
 
The rubber boot is still available, bought one for mine about 6 months ago. If I can remember where I got it, I'll post it here. I also fought those dang metal tabs for what seems like forever. Would it be too much for someone to make the tabs a bit longer?
 
I thought I was winning......got the tabs pinched over the edges only to find that I squished out the rubber boot material on one side and grease is spitting out everywhere. Back to the drawing board. I heard that you guys don't like the orange rubber and prefer the black rubber grease cap. Is this one of the reasons?
 
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