Help with steering column

[Markzilla88]

Hey there, I had to pull the column out of my 73 charger 318 the other day to replace the starter switch, and so I disconnected what I believe to be the lower column bearing to the shifter tube that is on the steering shaft under the hood. (Apologies ahead of time for calling these components what I'm calling them, as Im not sure what they really are called). I cannot figure out a way to reconnect the two.
For starters I removed two small 10mm bolts from the tube/collar. As I mentioned I cannot seem to reconnect them at all.
Another issue I'm facing and I'm sure its connected to this problem, is that I started the car with what I believed it to be in Park (the needle indicator on the column shifter showed P), but as soon as the car started to "wake up", it was actually in reverse and ended up fighting the parking brake enough to drive in reverse into a pile of pallets...

Any help with both or either problems is greatly appreciated as Im trying to make this a daily driver for my wife because her jeep finally gave up last night.



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[Beekeeper]

did you take the column bearing off to replace the ignition switch? do you have the column completely assembled other than the the bearing retainer? need more info, not sure why you removed the retainer to replace an ignition switch. you may have broken the indicator. not sure on the reverse issue without a little more info

 

[Markzilla88]

If the bearing pictured is the column bearing, then yes I disconnected it from what it was attached to thinking that that was what was holding the column in place. This is my first time getting into this so I really am learning as I go.
I believe I have corrected the shifter problem. When I put the column back into place, it was not turned all the way counter clockwise. When I took the column down again, it allowed me to turn it one more click to the left. When I tightened it all back up, the car was able to hit all P, R, N, D, 2, and 1.
In order to re attach the bearing, what will I have to do? Is it a type of fix where I should tap it into place, or should that sleeve somehow come back down over top of the bearing?
Thanks

 

[Bb70charger500]

It looks to me that you need to tap the bearing back up the shaft a little bit the sleeve won't move with the column bolted in place .but the shaft will so be careful not to tap everything upwards. Looks like it will slide very easily.

 

[Beekeeper]

It looks to me that you need to tap the bearing back up the shaft a little bit the sleeve won't move with the column bolted in place .but the shaft will so be careful not to tap everything upwards. Looks like it will slide very easily.

yep this ^^^^^

 

[Coronet 14]

Disconnect your shift lever. If you leave it hooked up when you drop column it can pull the transmission out of park. Ask me how I know. Car rolled into garage door. Leave it disconnected until you are done hooking everything up

 

[Markzilla88]

Got the bearing back in, it went in with some light tapping no problem! And I also learned the hard way, as mine went full force in reverse into a pile of pallets