Steering Coupler Questions

[66 Sat]

Hi, I'm just reconnecting the column to the pot coupler on my 66 Satellite and have the following questions:
1. The shoes are rectangular - do they go in widthwise or lengthwise? I've put them in lengthwise and there's some slop, but there was before I disassembled it. I think I've done it wrong but before I unbolt the column again I thought I'd check.
2. The gap from the guide hole on the shaft to the top of the pot. There's nothing in my 1966 service manual but in the manual for my 69 Barracuda it says 13/16" from the guide hole to the pot. Would this be the same for a 66 B Body?
3. Is it ok to put some washers under the springs/shoes to get rid of some of the fore/aft play?

Thanks guys

 

[A383Wing]

1) the shoes go in widthwise....meaning the long part of the shoe goes in the channel. If you do it wrong, you will have a lot of steering slop in the wheel

2) I don't know the measurement

3) I wouldn't add anything to the inside of the coupler for fear of lock up or breakage

 

[khryslerkid]

Make sure you have the spring clip in correctly between the blocks. 13/16" is correct. These are pics of my '62. The inside parts are the same as yours. Only the housing has changed.

 

[Fran Blacker]

Might want to add one of these, not mine.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Mopar-...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

 

[A383Wing]

Might want to add one of these, not mine.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Mopar-2996935-Steering-Coupler-Retaining-Clamp-most-Dodge-Plymouth/301416193929?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

yup, I bought 3 from him, have one installed, the other 2 are waiting their turn

 

[66 Sat]

Thanks for all the help, I'll unbolt it the column and spin the shoes around 90°. The springs on mine are different - there are 2 individual springs which match the shoe size, located by a hole in the centre, as per the shoe.

 

[Pops1967GTX]

Nice article ....

http://ramchargercentral.com/articles/?sa=view;article=85

 

[khryslerkid]

The springs on mine are different - there are 2 individual springs which match the shoe size, located by a hole in the centre, as per the shoe.

Sounds like your spring is broke. Does it resemble these but in two pieces?

This pic is showing the newer spring that is taller and won't work in the older style housing.

 

[khryslerkid]

Might want to add one of these, not mine.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Mopar-2996935-Steering-Coupler-Retaining-Clamp-most-Dodge-Plymouth/301416193929?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

Wish they made one for the early style housing. There's no roll pin hole in them.

 

[66 Sat]

Sounds like your spring is broke. Does it resemble these but in two pieces?
View attachment 512688

This pic is showing the newer spring that is taller and won't work in the older style housing.

No they are totally different. They are exactly the same size as the shoe, a solid metal piece with a hole in the centre that locates over the pin at the end of the column. They aren't flat - the 2 sides raise up to a plateau which provides the spring action, in the same way as the linked springs in your photo. I'm about to pull it apart again so I'll take a photo.

 

[66 Sat]

All back in, no slop, feels really great actually, a win for once!

 

[khryslerkid]

All back in, no slop, feels really great actually, a win for once!View attachment 512709 View attachment 512710

Interesting clip! Glad you got her back together and all is well. Nobody likes a sloppy steering
Now go wipe off your camera!

 

[roadrunnerh]

I've been meaning to rebuild mine. I need to get one of those clamps!

 

[Larrywre]

You can get the rebuild kit for around $20 - $30. I added a grease fitting when I rebuild last time.