steering column help?

[Longgone]

This column is in a 67 B`cuda with the shifter on it. I had to put a hose clamp around the shaft to hold the spring loaded cap on it. Is there a part missing here? Any ideas? What holds this thing together? Thanks.

 

[OUTLAW]

here is a picture of mine and I dont see anything missing so I went to my manual and it looks like there is an insulator and a bearing that presses into the lower coloum and a bearing support that has 3 bolts to hold it

now that I look at the 2 pictures ...you are missing the bolts that hold the bearing support

 

[Longgone]

Thank you Outlaw, I couldn`t find a breakdown of the column anywhere. Now to find the correct bolts and install them.

 

[OUTLAW]

I believe they are 5/16 x 1/2 inch

 

[nz68rt]

Hi Longgone, your setup looks the same as mine, the lower ring that keeps the spring tension on the bearing insulator ( that you are holding in place with the hose clamp ) has a small locking bolt on mine that clamps it on the shaft. There are no threaded holes in the insulator to bolt in to, Outlaw's looks like a different insulator maybe. I drilled and tapped the insulator and fitted 1/4 bolts, not much wall thickness to tap but it held with a little locktite. Any idea if there is supposed to be a seal fitted over the bearing as well ?

 

[Longgone]

Hi Longgone, your setup looks the same as mine, the lower ring that keeps the spring tension on the bearing insulator ( that you are holding in place with the hose clamp ) has a small locking bolt on mine that clamps it on the shaft. There are no threaded holes in the insulator to bolt in to, Outlaw's looks like a different insulator maybe. I drilled and tapped the insulator and fitted 1/4 bolts, not much wall thickness to tap but it held with a little locktite. Any idea if there is supposed to be a seal fitted over the bearing as well ?

I rotated the insulator on mine and didn`t find any threads in it ,so I just figured it was a press fit that had long lost its grip. I`m still unable to find a good breakdown of the column to find out what parts are supposed to be there and what parts are missing. If I find something on it I`ll post them here.

 

[fishy68]

Mine also had bolts in it like Outlaws. In fact I had 2 columns that both had bolts in them. One was the original from my 68 Cuda with a floorshift and the other from a 71 Dart columnshift. Strange that yours didn't have bolts. I have a factory service manual for my Cuda. Tomorrow I'll dig it out and see what I can find and post back here.

 

[Longgone]

Mine also had bolts in it like Outlaws. In fact I had 2 columns that both had bolts in them. One was the original from my 68 Cuda with a floorshift and the other from a 71 Dart columnshift. Strange that yours didn't have bolts. I have a factory service manual for my Cuda. Tomorrow I'll dig it out and see what I can find and post back here.

Hello Fishy-Any info/pics you can assist with I`d be grateful for! Thanks-John

 

[fishy68]

Hey John I just got the manual out and looked it up. All the pictures are just like both of my columns were. I even looked at every style showed such as column shift auto, floor shift, even column shift 3 speed. They all showed 2 bolts holding the lower support in except the 3 speed which was totally different setup. Didn't say what size bolts they were but if I remember right mine were 1/4" sheet metal type. I'd post a picture but I think you get the picture. Anyway I don't think the pix would come out very good cause my manual is a cheap copy I got off of E-bay and the pictures aren't very good. Time I scan them in and send them I bet they'd be pretty bad.

 

[Longgone]

I appreciate the effort regardless. Thank you Fishy!

 

[fishy68]

No problem John. Sorry I couldn't have been more help.

 

[Cerwin]

i remember when my steering wheel felt a little loose in the up and down motion i pulled the whole column apart to find out that there was a bearing that blew up and the nuckle at the bottom all you guys are looking at had moved maybe half an inch, so i just snugged it up by tapping the washer and it tightened it all up, but i also dont remember anything else there? im positive there wasnt a hose clamp.. but whatever works .

 

[Longgone]

i remember when my steering wheel felt a little loose in the up and down motion i pulled the whole column apart to find out that there was a bearing that blew up and the nuckle at the bottom all you guys are looking at had moved maybe half an inch, so i just snugged it up by tapping the washer and it tightened it all up, but i also dont remember anything else there? im positive there wasnt a hose clamp.. but whatever works .

Yeah the hose clamp has got to go, lol !! When I get a good breakdown of the column, I`ll get to the source of the problem there. Any help would be welcome!