Steering Column

[Dodge 340]

I have a 70 Dodge Dart Swinger, 340, 4 speed. Having steering column problems. Grinding noise when turning the steering wheel. The upper bearing is not bad but I have a new one coming. There is a lot of metal shavings between the top and second housing and the shaft is shiney in that area like it is rubbing somewhere but I can't tell where. At the bottom end of the shift tube, I can see where the shaft is rubbing on one side of the inside of the tube, no seal or bearing in mine. I have seen on some drawings where there is a bearing on the lower end, but those drawings do not fit my column. The closest drawing in my manuals does not show the shift tube, and that drawing shows a retainer w/seal in the end of the bigger tube. Does anybody have a drawing of the steering column assembly for a 70 Dodge Dart Swinger, 340, 4 speed that would give me a breakdown to see what I am missing, or that would maybe show me where the misalignment/noise is coming from? Adding to all of this, I bought this car new in 70 so I am much older, but it was never this hard to steer. Any help is appreciated!

 

[Dana67Dart]

Post as many photos as you can of your steering column inside the car and in the engine bay

 

[1MeanA]

The 70 4 speed column has no lower shaft bearing but has an inner tube for the 1 year only reverse lockout. It prevents removing the key unless the car is in reverse. There is a plastic sleeve between the inner and outer tube. I’m not sure if it is possible for it to come loose and rub on the shaft. My column is out of the car right now as I just went through it.

 

[Dodge 340]

Post as many photos as you can of your steering column inside the car and in the engine bay

Post as many photos as you can of your steering column inside the car and in the engine bay

 

[Dodge 340]

The 70 4 speed column has no lower shaft bearing but has an inner tube for the 1 year only reverse lockout. It prevents removing the key unless the car is in reverse. There is a plastic sleeve between the inner and outer tube. I’m not sure if it is possible for it to come loose and rub on the shaft. My column is out of the car right now as I just went through it.

Thanks, I also saw that on another drawing after you said that. There is no plastic sleeve or wire ring in mine so I ordered one from Detroit Muscle. I have a new computer so I'm having trouble downloading pictures. As soon as I get that figured out I will send some pics.

 

[Dodge 340]

Post as many photos as you can of your steering column inside the car and in the engine bay

Post as many photos as you can of your steering column inside the car and in the engine bay

If you zoom the pics, 7361 you can see how the steering shaft is rubbing on the ID of the tube. Pic 7362 you can see wherte the shaft is dragging on something. Pic 7363 you can see metal shavings in the bottom of the housing which is coming from the lock mechanism dragging on the back side, pic 7365, which is the under side of the bearing housing. don't understand, it looks like there is too much play in the shaft from end to end but I don't know why.

 

[1MeanA]

There is supposed to be a plastic sleeve/bushing that keeps the inner tube centered in the column tube. There is no lower shaft bearing. The lower shaft is centered because its held by the steering coupling.

 

[Dodge 340]

There is supposed to be a plastic sleeve/bushing that keeps the inner tube centered in the column tube. There is no lower shaft bearing. The lower shaft is centered because its held by the steering coupling.

yes, I have that item ordered. So you think maybe that is why I have the grinding and scraping because that inner tube is moving around too much?

 

[1MeanA]

Hard to know for sure

 

[Dodge 340]

Hard to know for sure

Thanks for your help.

 

[1MeanA]

Here is my column after reassembly

 

[Dodge 340]

Here is my column after reassembly

View attachment 1716394293

It seems as though my steering shaft is wabbling off center too much since it is scraping on the inside of the inner (lockout) tube on the lower end and I'll call it the lockout mechanism (gear) on the upper end is actually grinding into the back of the housing. It seems to be much harder to work the steering wheel back and forth than it should be, but I had the steering box reconditioned and all new suspension. I have a new bearing and the plastic sleeve coming, should all be here by Tuesday, so we will see. Thanks

 

[Dodge 340]

I still cannot figure out how to get to the "Threads" on the site. I can view your responses and respond to them by going directly from my email when I get a notification there that someone has responded. But once on the forum if I go out of the threads, I can't get back to them. I have no orange box in either corner that someone told me to click on to go to threads. Obviously I'm not a computer guru.

 

[1MeanA]

When someone responds to a thread you were in you should see a red number in the Alerts (upper right). You can click on Alerts either way and see the threads you were in.

 

[Dana67Dart]

To add to what 1MeanA said...

This is where the alert showing that you have unread reply to posts you have posted to.

When you click on the bell you get a window that looks like this .

Red circle is your post

Click on the highlighted post name. Red arrow

You might have notifications turned off.

Here are my settings.

Note that things might look a bit different on a PC or Apple phone, but the basic process should be the same.