1968 Roadrunner Steering Column Backed Out of Knuckle

[garrett1308]

What holds the steering column and shoes into the coupling body? Looking at schematics, I don't see anything that clamps or provides much spring force on it to keep the column down in the coupler.
Also, should the collapsible part of the column slide nicely its whole length? Last 6 inches is a fight to pull, and then it has to be whacked to slide back in.

Lastly, the bearing in the nylon block at the base of the column does not grab the central shaft, theres a thin OD section of shaft that is currently sitting inside the bearing.

Was told that the car was taken apart running. Have it pulled apart in the garage right now, trying to get it back together so he can take his roadrunner up to good guys tomorrow. This is the first time that I've touched this, or any column.

Little story:
Took a 68 4 speed roadrunner out to Good Guys at the Texas motor speedway. Live 10 miles from there. I was in my trans am, dad was in his roadrunner. Getting on the on ramp to 35E, he swerved into the grass between the highway and the ramp. Steering column had backed out of the knuckle and left him without any control of the car aside from brakes and gas. Found one shoe in the road, couldn't find the other. I loosened the column under the dash and on the fire wall, put one shoe on, and ziptied the assembly on and together. Worked well enough to get it home. Have the column out and apart.

 

[mmissile]

Sounds like maybe the plastic/nylon stops for the collapsible column have failed. The inner and out tubes will just slide freely.

 

[Mike67]

Do those have a retention spring? Doesn't the t shaft and shoes prevent it from coming apart? Mines a 67 so I'm not sure about a 68....

 

[garrett1308]

Doesn't have that clip, might make one for it if I can't find one

 

[garrett1308]

Got it back together. Ended up making a similar clip to the one you have Mike. Built it out of 6011 welding rods, should hold till a more... factory unit arrives.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

Well, I've just been through this last year. These guys are all on the right track.

1. If your column's main shaft is "telescoping" OR has come apart into an "inner shaft" & an "outer shaft" then indeed the little nylon "collapsible shear pins" have broken. That's what happened to mine. To fix it, disassemble the column, line up the two plastic shear pin holes (you can also see the rust lines of inner/outer shaft), drill two holes all the way through the inner/outer shaft to an appropriate size, tap those holes, screw in nylon screws from the hardware store (size matching hole/tap - buy these first so you know what size), trim off excess of nylon screws (making new shear pins), reassemble & install column.

2. You might as well replace the upper/lower steering column bushings/bearings while you're in there.

3. Don't use a hammer on the steering column or you'll break these replacement nylon shear pins too.

4. The main shaft is "sort of" held in place in the coupler in one of two ways. Honestly, if the center shaft isn't collapsed/telescoped closed then it's length will keep it in the coupler.
a. "stock" couplers have a tiny little rolled pin (about 1mm diameter & 3 mm long) that goes into one small hole near the firewall side (top) of the coupler. This pin is supposed to keep one of those little "shoes" from backing out.
b. "replacement" couplers come with the spring shown by Mike67 (black, front-center). These "weird springs" really just hold the "top cap" of the coupler + it's rubber seal in place. When you bend the original "crimp in place" "stock" clips that hold that "top cap" & rubber seal in place a few times they're hard to crimp back tightly and the "top cap" doesn't want to stay on tight. The "weird spring" (black, front-center in Mike67's picture) holds that "top cap" down firmly & sort of holds the column's center shaft in the coupler too since the metal "cross pin" that the "shoes" ride on at the very bottom of the center shaft can't get past the hole in the metal coupler "top cap" and the "weird spring" is holding that "top cap" down onto the coupler.

Sorry so wordy.

 

[Shorthorse]

Well, I've just been through this last year. These guys are all on the right track.

3. Don't use a hammer on the steering column or you'll break these replacement nylon shear pins too.

Wish I'd have read this first. I found that out the hard way. Duh!

 

[PurpleBeeper]

Wish I'd have read this first. I found that out the hard way. Duh!

Don't feel bad....just ask me how I found all this out....arghh.

 

[Mattfi1]

I used this one on mine. http://www.ebay.com/itm/291991220181?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I believe these were part of a recall.

 

[Cmmopar]

The steering coupler clamp wire clamp was originally factory part #2996935 and mild steel as listed here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Mopar-...193929?hash=item462dce1f89:g:-PcAAOSwj0NUeURR



When installed it will keep shoes from pulling out of coupler. Stainless version also available on eBay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/STAINLESS-S...669587?hash=item465da2ee13:g:X-wAAOSwOVpXexnL

 

[PurpleBeeper]

I read somewhere that those little "weird spring clips" were installed at Chrysler dealers any time they took the steering coupler apart. I've seen a few in junkyards too. I got one, but not sure if I installed it yet.