Steering coupler seal retainer....how to?

[71Dartman440]

So today I drop the steering column, rebuild the steering coupler in the engine compartment, get it all back together with just the seal retainer to seat the tabs down.....what a :banghead: mess that turned into. Ended up tearing the seal. :angryfir:

So what's the trick to bending these 8 small tabs down successfully and have the retainer stay put?

 

[rmchrgr]

Throw that **** in the trash. Get this thing here. Best $18 you ever spent.

 

[71Dartman440]

Thanks for that link!!!! Sitting watching the tube last night I'd envisioned just such a seal in my brain thinking there had to be something better, simpler, more efficient out there. And yes...that factory clip is crap!!

 

[65Valiant310]

Would that work on the early a body couplers too?

 

[MERIDIAN]

for around 40 bucks you could put a steering knuckle in it.

 

[Howard1784]

While we are on the topic, can someone go backwards and describe how to take apart a column for rebuilding?

 

[RedFish]

The trick is to distort the original cap as little as possible when removing it so it can be reused. Think bottle cap. The tough part is convincing a customer you did infact rebuild their coupling when they dont see a shinny new cap isb't dangling on the shaft LOL

 

[71Dartman440]

While we are on the topic, can someone go backwards and describe how to take apart a column for rebuilding?

If you have an IPB (Illustrated Parts Breakdown), some patience and a keen sense of keeping things in order, you can got through it without much trouble...just time/patience and pay particular caution with plastic parts. On the other hand, if your toolbox consists primarily of a hammer, pipe wrench, and a pair of vice grips you might want to ask for outside help.

 

[greg]

Those things zre the biggest pain in the butt. I got so tired of messing with mine I put a rubber grommet around the shaft and a hose clamp in front of that to keep the cap on. That was a temporary fix......still there today too.

 

[pauly v.100]

Those things zre the biggest pain in the butt. I got so tired of messing with mine I put a rubber grommet around the shaft and a hose clamp in front of that to keep the cap on. That was a temporary fix......still there today too.

thats a pretty good idea, very inventive !!

 

[pauly v.100]

Throw that **** in the trash. Get this thing here. Best $18 you ever spent.

Thats an even better fix, thanks for the link !!

 

[blue73duster]

Throw that **** in the trash. Get this thing here. Best $18 you ever spent.

I stumbled across that type, AFTER, I put mine together with the other.
I ended up using tie straps to hold everything up against the coupling
not perfect but, it works