Steve Agrella
Well-Known Member
I want to change the Coupler to a swivel joint on my 74 Duster to clear the headers, probably going to go with a Flaming River unless someone pipes in with a cheaper alternative.
Do I have to pull the steering column
- Thread starter Steve Agrella
- Start date
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Tinmannz
Well-Known Member
Have you checked 'Ididit' steering columns for a cost comparison?
By the way, great looking avatar.
'Unum vexillum in' brother.
By the way, great looking avatar.
'Unum vexillum in' brother.
dano
Evil Handy Man
6 fasteners, a harness plug, a roll pin, and a hint of man power and its out of the car. I don't think those universal joints are a drop in and probably require some cutting, drilling and maybe welding. Gotta link to the joint your thinking of?
Steve Agrella
Well-Known Member
dano
Evil Handy Man
Here is what they say to do:
Coupler Installation
1) Using a drift punch and ball-peen hammer, remove the roll pin from the OEM coupler and separate it from the steering gear box.
2) Remove the firewall mounting screws and the under dash mount and slide the steering column back far enough to remove the OEM coupler.
3) Remove the seal retainer from the top of the coupler and slide the coupler off the steering shaft.
4) Remove the spring and shoes from the steering shaft pin.
5) Measure upward from the bottom of the column shaft 1-½.” Cut the shaft at that point.
6) Slide the new Flaming River Coupler over the column shaft approx 2”
7) Using a 5/16” drill bit, drill through pilot hole, shaft and the backside of the coupler.
8) Using the ball-peen hammer, tap the roll pin into the hole until it is flush with coupler.
9) Slide the steering column back down into position until coupler is over the pinion shaft of the gearbox.
10) Install shoulder bolt
11) Apply red thread locker to threads and tighten jam nuts.
12) Tighten set screw to remove end play from steering coupler. Using a torque wrench, torque the set screw. Do not exceed 25 ft-lbs.
13) Reinstall the under dash column mount and floor mount to factory specifications.
I recall looking at this when i went to PS. I didn't like the fact the factory u-joint slider was being removed. I just went with the B-Body Column with a built in slider but they make a drop in column for your 74, it ain't cheap.
Coupler Installation
1) Using a drift punch and ball-peen hammer, remove the roll pin from the OEM coupler and separate it from the steering gear box.
2) Remove the firewall mounting screws and the under dash mount and slide the steering column back far enough to remove the OEM coupler.
3) Remove the seal retainer from the top of the coupler and slide the coupler off the steering shaft.
4) Remove the spring and shoes from the steering shaft pin.
5) Measure upward from the bottom of the column shaft 1-½.” Cut the shaft at that point.
6) Slide the new Flaming River Coupler over the column shaft approx 2”
7) Using a 5/16” drill bit, drill through pilot hole, shaft and the backside of the coupler.
8) Using the ball-peen hammer, tap the roll pin into the hole until it is flush with coupler.
9) Slide the steering column back down into position until coupler is over the pinion shaft of the gearbox.
10) Install shoulder bolt
11) Apply red thread locker to threads and tighten jam nuts.
12) Tighten set screw to remove end play from steering coupler. Using a torque wrench, torque the set screw. Do not exceed 25 ft-lbs.
13) Reinstall the under dash column mount and floor mount to factory specifications.
I recall looking at this when i went to PS. I didn't like the fact the factory u-joint slider was being removed. I just went with the B-Body Column with a built in slider but they make a drop in column for your 74, it ain't cheap.
Steve Agrella
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the help, I really appreciate you guys taking the time to help.
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