Steering Column Length Difference between Manual and Power Steering Cars.

[GUMM B]

1970 Plymouth Duster with Manual steering. What changes are required to replace a manual steering gear box with a power steering gear box? Specifically, how would I connect the power steering box to the steering column? I think the column shaft is longer on the manuals, but I don't know whether it's just the coupler or if there's more that's different on the column.

 

[ch1ll]

The shaft is longer for manual steering. With the price of columns these days, I would be inclined to inquire how much it would cost to have it shortened at a machine shop.

 

[Dana67Dart]

The steering shaft is a different length. Many will tell you to tap the Manual steering shaft to break the plastic inner connector and shorten the shaft and while MANY have done that I prefer to not break parts and instead replace the shaft with a proper length UNMOLESTED shaft.

The column housing is the same


The coupler is different PS to MS The input shaft dia????

1970-71 parts book

Manual steering

Power steering

The photos below are the columns I'm going to swap the shafts on to go from 67 Floor Shift Power Steering to 67 Floor shift Manual steering (the parts you don't add don't cause you no trouble!)

67 PS floor shift column

68 Column shift Manual column

 

[GUMM B]

IIRC The coupler is different on some if not all cases

The steering shaft is a different length too. (Many will tell you to tap the Manual steering shaft to brale the plastic inner connector and shorten the shaft

Why would you have to brake the inner connector in order to shorten the shaft? Couldn't you just cut the shaft, shorten it, and weld it back together?

 

[GUMM B]

instead replace the shaft with a proper length UNMOLESTED shaft

Is it as easy as finding a shaft from a power steering Duster and swapping it without fabrication?

 

[ch1ll]

Matter of fact I have some steering columns I could sell you a shaft out of, but not any time soon as it's 15 degrees up here without the wind chill and we are looking at another 6 or so inches of snow in the next couple of days on top of the 5-6 we got yesterday. They are also buried somewhere in my hobby shop and I would have to dig them out.

 

[72bluNblu]

Manual steering shaft is ~40.6", power steering shaft is ~37.5". Both measurements are without the couplers, which are also different.

The column is the same, only the length of the steering shaft is different.

 

[GUMM B]

Matter of fact I have some steering columns I could sell you a shaft out of, but not any time soon as it's 15 degrees up here without the wind chill and we are looking at another 6 or so inches of snow in the next couple of days on top of the 5-6 we got yesterday. They are also buried somewhere in my hobby shop and I would have to dig them out.

Actually, this could be perfect! My friend is the owner of the Duster and I doubt he'll be getting to the steering project soon as first on the list is a motor swap. Could you PM me your number and I'll give it to him for you to call you when it warms up?

 

[dano]

What 72 bluNblu said. You could put an add up for a power column. Flaming River sells a lilt, but you'll pay.

 

[Scody21]

1970 Plymouth Duster with Manual steering. What changes are required to replace a manual steering gear box with a power steering gear box? Specifically, how would I connect the power steering box to the steering column? I think the column shaft is longer on the manuals, but I don't know whether it's just the coupler or if there's more that's different on the column.

I’ll trade you an auto column for the manual column. I’m by Chico.

 

[GUMM B]

I’ll trade you an auto column for the manual column. I’m by Chico.

Okay, and you just mean the shaft part, not the whole column with keys?

 

[Scody21]

Okay, and you just mean the shaft part, not the whole column with keys?

We can go either way. The key tumblers can be removed. The Auto trans car and the manual trans cars use a little different columns also. I’ll send you a PM with my number.

 

[Dana67Dart]

Couldn't you just cut the shaft, shorten it, and weld it back together

Yes but it's easier to break the plastic and that's what most do.

 

[Mojoe9955]

Yes but it's easier to break the plastic and that's what most do.

That would allow us to shorten it up again if deciding to go back to power steering?

 

[Dana67Dart]

That would allow us to shorten it up again if deciding to go back to power steering?

Or do it the right way...

 

[Mojoe9955]

Or do it the right way...

That's my plan!

 

[Dana67Dart]

I put this together, it does not cover your year, BUT...

Manual vs Power Steering Shafts

 

[Dave999]

could allways custom fit one of these

electric assist for a small GM car
??

just slinging it into the mix

VAUXHALL CORSA C ELECTRIC POWER STEERING COLUMN INDICATOR WIPER STALKS IGNITION | eBay

have seen them used on diverse things like ferguson tractors etc...seem to be super robust and you can vary assist from 0 to ridiculous.
only issue is its a lot of crap, even when cut down to the max, to fit between peddles and base of dash

Dave