Flaming River coupler installation (Problem solved)

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RON REAGLE

RON REAGLE

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I bought a Flaming River universal joint style couple for my 68 Barracuda. The instructions PLAINLY tell you that you need to cut 1-1/2" from the shaft. Which I did while the car was apart so I could be very careful and cut EXACTLY 1-1/2" from the shaft. This is a manual steering column and the FR1506M coupler. I went to put it all together and it's 1-1/2" TOO SHORT!!! I'm totally screwed. I will be on the phone with Flaming River Tuesday hoping they can Help me find a solution.

This is a 68 auto on the column with the reverse light switch at the base. Any one have one for sale???
 
Sounds like you learned a valuable lesson. NEVER modify ANYTHING until you get the part in your possession, DAMHIK!
 
dang, that sucks
HemiSSDart said:
Sounds like you learned a valuable lesson. NEVER modify ANYTHING until you get the part in your possession, DAMHIK!
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i would add "and test fit everything first".

i have a couple columns, one might be a '68. will check in a couple days when i have time. if so you can have it for the price of shipping
 
Hmmm, going from a manual box to a power box usually requires a shorter center shaft along with a different coupler. Are you replacing your manual box with their manual box? I assume you have the stock column with the 2 piece telescoping center shaft, and you pulled the sections apart and cut the 1 1/2" off the upper end of the lower shaft?
 
Have them send you one of these, or buy one off ebay to make up the missing difference.

These adapters are for going from Power Steering Column to manual steering sector.

Power steering to manual conversions, have used them before, work great.

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I feel for you that it happened, that totally stinks. Little late for this project, but in the future always test fit. These old cars tolerances vary so much from car to car that it's impossible to know how much, if any, needs to be cut on anything when installing a aftermarket part.
  • I might have a solution: Lock a grip plier on the column shaft and hit it with a 2 lbs hammer and see if you can get the 1.5" back....
 
I am puzzled by what happened here. I have a 67 fastback with manual steering and column shift auto. I bought that coupler and cut the shaft, and it fit perfectly. Is there a difference between the 67 and the 68 column? That seems unlikely.
 
He cut it 3 times & it's still too short. LOL I never cut anything until I'm ready to install, "never"!
 
Did the plastic pins in the steering shaft get busted when you cut it down? And now the shaft has collapsed?
 
You may want to possibly check out 72bluNblu's theory. Just looking on the Flaming River website, it shows that both the manual and the power steering joints are 4 1/2" long, and they each require the cutting of 1 1/2" off of their respective shafts.
 
This is a manual steering box with a manual steering column not a conversion. The directions said cut 1-1/2" off the shaft so I did (my mistake should've test fit first) I was hoping to install the steering column and coupler then the motor and transmission this weekend. This IS just one of those stumbling blocks you run into on a project. I'll check and see if I can pull the shaft down I never realized it could "collapse" during the removal and install. I'll keep my fingers crossed.LOL
 
Ron816 said:
Sounds like the column has collapsed
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This!

The steering column shaft is 2 part, and they slide together in a crash. There are small nylon buttons that hold them at the factory length. If broken, they allow the shaft to compress to a shorter length.

You can try grabbing the column from the steering box end and pulling it back out 1 1/2 inches, but be sure you leave enough of the upper and lower shafts with plenty of overlap so it doesn't disconnect on a good bump,
 
Man I can't wait to get home and try this. I've been pissed off since Saturday trying to figure out what went wrong. As many times as I've stumbled during a build I've learned to shut the garage and walk away. Ask for Help and be patient You Guys ARE THE BEST. Thank You!!!
 
I’ll add, they’re not ‘nylon pins’ it’s an injection of liquid nylon between the two parts and the ‘pins’ are where the extra comes out. It’s used to fill in the gaps between upper and lower shafts so no free play
 
As I've stated before "YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST" I went home and removed the column , used a pair of vice grips and a hammer and gently slid the shaft back out of the column , cleaned it up with some emery cloth and installed the coupler. Problem solved THANK YOU to all who helped me!!!

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RON REAGLE said:
As I've stated before "YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST" I went home and removed the column , used a pair of vice grips and a hammer and gently slid the shaft back out of the column , cleaned it up with some emery cloth and installed the coupler. Problem solved THANK YOU to all who helped me!!!

View attachment 1715746001
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Nice looking components there. I love it when things fall into place after giving me a scare.
 
Yes EXACTLY!!! I took a big deep breath after it was done. It took a huge load off completing the steering coupling. Now I can continue preparing to put the motor and transmission back in!!!

There were no signs of damage or anything wrong with the column. It is pitted and not as nice as I'd like it to be. Another member has offered up a column if he has one, hoping to get it and restore it to "like new".
 
That's a nice lookin coupler. Glad you got it figured out!
 
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