steering column rebuild

[zac_F71]

Is there a place that can rebuild my steering column in my 71 Demon? the end of mine (where the coupler attaches) does not collapse, and I think it's missing a bearing at the every end maybe?

Any way - I plan to cut the column mounted shift parts off it as I'm going floor shift and wondering if I should just leave it or should I have it looked at? (the shaft not collapsing and if it's missing a bearing on the end of it, where is collapses)

Thanks guys

 

[bOb shingler]

my 71 demon didn't have a collapsible steering column.

 

[ssba]

You don't want your column to collapse unless you are behind It in a front end collision.
If it has remained at the correct length your column is good.
If the mesh looking metal tube has been collapsed on yours get a different column as the one you have has been used up during a crash. If the inner shaft has slid just pull it back out to the correct length.
A search of the saved tech topics at the top of the page will explain the converting of your
column to floor shift and a replacement for the lower bearing.
Take pictures during your column disassembly. It can help much when going back together.

 

[sireland67]

The two ends of the steering shaft are held together with injected molded plastic, you have to heat them to take them apart.
A steering column is simple to rebuild there is only two bearings and a couple of snap rings.
A member here did a complete teardown and overhaul of one, with lots of pictures search for it.
It is actually so simple to do only takes about 10 minutes to totally dissemble one.
I highly recommend the aftermarket bearing for the bottom of the column vs the factory style.

 

[zac_F71]

Mine is actually in great shape - I was just curious about the shaft the coupler is on as it wouldn't move to slide the coupler off the steering box(had to unbolt the steering box and move it out the way - my old 68 Charger did not have that issue..), my car has never been in an accident so I will probably do the floor shift conversion, install the new coupler guts (it didn't even need that), install my Grant Tuff wheel, and let it buck.. - save the "rebuild" for the resto of the car in a couple years