1971-72 Auto floor shift steering column help...

[fatecaptured]

I'm trying to put a parts list together and I'm getting frustrated.:angryfire:

When I got the car the steering column was definitely screwy looking to me. The inner shaft wasn't centered in the tube and the plastic seal retainer was sitting on top of the steering coupler. I also noticed the three plastic insulators were broken. And to top it off the turn signals didn't work. SO.....:icon_shaking:

I pulled the column and the ignition switch connector was burn and broke in two pieces. I was under the impression the column was collapsed or bent. But when I blew it all apart, the shear pins were still intact and the shaft was straight as could be. The outer jacket looks to be bowed. Can this be straightened?? Also do these columns have a Lower Steering Column Bearing?? And where the hell does it go?? I didn't seal one when I dismantled it. Nothing that looks like this:

FYI I have the CDrom service/shop manual but it only shows diagrams of the column shift and tilt steering columns....


So far I have these parts in my replacement list:

*Lower steering column retainer kit
*steering coulpler kit
*steering column seal
*ignition switch
*turn signal switch


Any help, pictures, advice would be much appreciated.

 

[fatecaptured]

I guess I either look like a friggen retard or no one knows. The problem I have is, there wasn't a lower column bushing in it when I took it out. I see them listed, so imagine I need one. I just never messed with a column before. I'll take any help I can get.

 

[fatecaptured]

Ok, so I need conformation. Am I supposed to have another tube and spring? I found this picture on Charger Discussion. Now comparing what I tore off my column to this picture. I don't have the middle silver tube or spring. Am I supposed to have these parts in my column? I see now where the lower bearing would go in the picture. Should I just look for another column?

 

[rocky61201]

I'll try help as best I can because I just disassembled by column shifted steering column from my 71 charger last week to refurbish and repaint. Sorry i didn't take any pics but it was last week so my memory is fresh. My column was in poor shape and the outer tube was bent when i took it apart, but the steering shaft itself was lazer straight and not collapsed so no worries there. I straightened the outer tube back to specs as best I could and I'm happy with it. When the outer tube is bent and the shaft is straight, at the bottom of the tube the shaft will be off center as you described.

I didn't have the lower column bearing you're showing in either pic above. I did have a plastic sleeve that looked very similar that goes between the shift tube and the outer column collapsible tube. But it was not a bearing. My firewall bracket also looks completely different than what you're showing above so I tend to believe this pic is from another b-body, just not a 71-2. I didn't have that spring at the bottom of the column shift tube either. I hope this helps. Finally, he is the diagram for a 72 column shift steering column.



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Sorry, i just read the subject of your post, (floor shift). My mistake. I don't have a diagram for that one. Might wanna check the third gen charger specific forum. There should be a diagram in their tech archives.

- - - Updated - - -

If you already ordered the bearing, put it in. If it fits and doesn't bind anything it might not be a bad idea to leave it there. IMO a bearing/sleave is better than just a sleave. Maybe the factory decided an upgrade was needed sometime after 71-72.

 

[SMS68]

@fatecaptured I tried to PM you but your box is full.

This might be a necropost, but I'm in the same situation. '71 RR, floor shift, power steering. No inner sleeve or lower bushing. Did you ever get it figured out? Wondering if my column was molested and if I'm going to have to search for missing parts.

 

[Polara426]

@fatecaptured I tried to PM you but your box is full.

This might be a necropost, but I'm in the same situation. '71 RR, floor shift, power steering. No inner sleeve or lower bushing. Did you ever get it figured out? Wondering if my column was molested and if I'm going to have to search for missing parts.

The floor shift does not have inner sleeve