Need some Help with a hacked together steering column

[jefflock]

My steering column has apparently been lengthened by a previous owner. They used a spacer made from pipe and welded it after cutting the shaft.
Does any one know what the correct length of the shaft is for a non power steering Dart?? We are working on a 68 Dart. I pulled the column and cut the spacer to see what was up. The spacer was hitting my headers.
What can I do to correct this problem???? Jeff

 

[mopar79sean]

Rough measure on mine is 41 inches end to end on the shaft. 1971 Dart column manual steering. Rough measurement as the shaft is still in the column. If it comes down to it I will remove it from the column for a more accurate measurement. My first guess on correcting your column would be to replace the shaft with one the correct length. I have one extra floor shift column for a 71 dart. I'm sure the length is the same between the two but I'm not sure about differences in diameter.

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=229056&highlight=Steering+shaft+length

 

[72bluNblu]

An a-body manual steering shaft is ~40.6" end to end without the coupler.

 

[1968FormulaS340]

I would get a replacement.

 

[68383GTS]

Change the shaft it is easy to do.I have one if you need it.

 

[CudaChris67]

sure it is not a $40 piece of pipe

http://www.jegs.com/i/Flaming+River/898/FR1940/10002/-1?CAWELAID=1710568701&catargetid=230006180000514857&cadevice=c&&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CK7ph_O4w7wCFZFrfgodLHsA7Q

 

[jefflock]

I have another shaft and from what I remember it is around 40 to 41". What about the bearings? Are they available??

 

[jefflock]

sure it is not a $40 piece of pipe

http://www.jegs.com/i/Flaming+River/898/FR1940/10002/-1?CAWELAID=1710568701&catargetid=230006180000514857&cadevice=c&&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CK7ph_O4w7wCFZFrfgodLHsA7Q

No, nothing that fancy just pipe, but thanks for the link.

 

[mopar79sean]

I purchased the upper bearing from this place.

http://www.dynamicrenovation.net/products.php?ItemCatID=1

This place also seems to have the lower bearing among other pieces.

http://restorationpartssource.com/cgi-restorationpartssource/sb/ss_mb.cgi?storeid=*30a261df8748231895a5aeb4cd052c2cb61cc55deb7ad91f9db0&ss_parm=A72881e840b551d120d5ea703b6216fc7

 

[jefflock]

Thanks to all of you for your help. I've it figured out now. Ordered a U-Joint from Speedway today to do away with the factory coupling.

 

[72bluNblu]

This might be worth looking at if you're getting rid of the coupler...

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?p=1969904417#post1969904417

 

[jefflock]

Any one know what the spline size is on the steering box? 3/4 X 36 or 13/16 X 36
On a 68 Dart

 

[mopar79sean]

My calipers tell me .735 outside diameter.

 

[RedFish]

If my memory serves.. the smaller diameter, both manual and power boxes.

 

[72bluNblu]

Mine are 3/4-36. I've heard some of the later manual boxes off of vans etc. had a larger spline, but I can't confirm that.