Steering Column Questions

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70SwingerGuy

70SwingerGuy

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So here is a pic of my steering column in my 70 Swinger, now Im no expert, but this doesnt look right to me, that bolt, and a rubber seal and metal ring that just slides up and down. Any opinions or thoughts on this? And I have no idea why someone would paint the steering box top red, quite frankly drives me nuts.
Thanks FABO
20250425_230426.jpg
 
That "rubber seal and metal ring" are supposed to be crimped to the body of the steering coupler.
The bolt looks like a replacement for the factory roll pin when it got lost by a previous owner.
The red box top is easily dealt with by Mr. Rustoleum.
 
Ya, the metal plate with the little tangs should slide down and hold the rubber seal in place and bend the tangs to the coupler .
 
Professor Fate said:
That "rubber seal and metal ring" are supposed to be crimped to the body of the steering coupler.
The bolt looks like a replacement for the factory roll pin when it got lost by a previous owner.
The red box top is easily dealt with by Mr. Rustoleum.
Click to expand...
Thats kind of what I figured. Do you think that there has been damage done by jamming that bolt in the pins place? I would figure it would bugger up the hole.
 
RAT ROD AL said:
Ya, the metal plate with the little tangs should slide down and hold the rubber seal in place and bend the tangs to the coupler .
Click to expand...
Thats also what I thought, thanks. Im beginning to wonder if I should swap out my column for one that hasnt been monkeyd with
Or is it possible to replace just that lower coupler??
 
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If the bolt is small enough and has a nut on the other side it probably has not hurt the coupler is the input shaft of the gear.
 
New couplers are available Wade. I'm curious about the bolt and would make sure nothing in the column has been compromised.
 
Dana67Dart said:
If the bolt is small enough and has a nut on the other side it probably has not hurt the coupler is the input shaft of the gear.
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Thanks Dana, lets hope for that, like I said below, Ill have to pop that bolt out and have a look
4spdragtop said:
New couplers are available Wade. I'm curious about the bolt and would make sure nothing in the column has been compromised.
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Thanks Steve, Ive been looking around just now for one should I need it. Im curious too about that bolt, too late tonight, but maybe tomorrow Ill take it out and see what I can see.
 
As an afterthought, do all steering columns have the auto column shift tab on them, even the manual trans ones? Mine does, I thought that the factory probably only made the one column rather than making two separate ones.
 
Floor shift do not have any of column shift parts.

There is a shaft that replaced the column shift tube but it is fully inside the column.

If you have both it was changed to floor shift or the column was swapped

Also note that there are 2 couplers, one for PS and one for manual. They are not interchangable
 
Dana67Dart said:
Floor shift do not have any of column shift parts.
There is a shaft that replaced the column shift tube but it is fully inside the column.
If you have both it was changed to floor shift or the column was swapped
Click to expand...
Thanks again Dana. My car is a factory four speed, so it is the column that has been changed out. Guess Ill either cut that tab off or look for a manual shift column
Dana67Dart said:
Also note that there are 2 couplers, one for PS and one for manual. They are not interchangable
Click to expand...
Searching the net I had noticed that yes, thanks again for the info
 
I'll keep my eyes peeled for a floor shift, probably one at Moparfest if you can wait?Manual or pwr steering?
70SwingerGuy said:
Thanks again Dana. My car is a factory four speed, so it is the column that has been changed out. Guess Ill either cut that tab off or look for a manual shift column

Searching the net I had noticed that yes, thanks again for the info
Click to expand...
 
That coupler should be packed with grease and the rubber seal keeps the dirt out. When the bolt is removed, look to see if the original roll pin can be installed. Heads up, the coupler and the box are splined together. If disconnecting the two be aware that there is a "master spline" to properly orientate the two.
 
70SwingerGuy said:
As an afterthought, do all steering columns have the auto column shift tab on them, even the manual trans ones? Mine does, I thought that the factory probably only made the one column rather than making two separate ones.
Click to expand...
If your car is a factory manual trans. and a 1970 it would have a tab on the column for a reverse lock out mechanism.
 
1970 floor shift columns are a one year only piece. 70 was the first year for key in the column. 71 -76 had a tab to press to remove Key. Most parts on 70 column are 1 year only. I have some 70 floor shift columns. $200 plus ride Shaft not included. I have two left one is promised to a local person. Pending.
 
Just to re-emphasize what has already been posted:
Manual and power steering coupler bodies are NOT the same, different shaft diameter and spline count. Make sure you know what you're ordering if you get a new one. They DO take the same rebuild kits, though.
1970 manual shift columns have a lever on the side of them that looks at first glance to be automatic linkage, but it's not. It is a shift interlock mechanism, one year only. Quick way to tell is the automatic linkage is oriented towards the inner fender, an interlock is oriented towards the engine.
 
the parts book seems to indicate that there was not a auto column shift option in 70 is that correct?

1746284394503.png
 
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Murray said:
That coupler should be packed with grease and the rubber seal keeps the dirt out. When the bolt is removed, look to see if the original roll pin can be installed. Heads up, the coupler and the box are splined together. If disconnecting the two be aware that there is a "master spline" to properly orientate the two.
Click to expand...
Ive taken the bolt out, and it doesnt appear to be any damage, but it is hard to see, Ive attached a pic
R72Demon said:
If your car is a factory manual trans. and a 1970 it would have a tab on the column for a reverse lock out mechanism.
Click to expand...
Ive attached another pic with the tab circled
Oldmanmopar said:
1970 floor shift columns are a one year only piece. 70 was the first year for key in the column. 71 -76 had a tab to press to remove Key. Most parts on 70 column are 1 year only. I have some 70 floor shift columns. $200 plus ride Shaft not included. I have two left one is promised to a local person. Pending.
Click to expand...
My column does NOT have a tab to remove the key
Professor Fate said:
Just to re-emphasize what has already been posted:
Manual and power steering coupler bodies are NOT the same, different shaft diameter and spline count. Make sure you know what you're ordering if you get a new one. They DO take the same rebuild kits, though.
1970 manual shift columns have a lever on the side of them that looks at first glance to be automatic linkage, but it's not. It is a shift interlock mechanism, one year only. Quick way to tell is the automatic linkage is oriented towards the inner fender, an interlock is oriented towards the engine.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info, that is good to know. Ive attatched pics of the areas in question
20250503_115939.jpg

20250503_120517.jpg
 
Dana look in 1970 parts catalog 21-30-2.
2950965 is column shift lever for 1970.
 
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