Steering coupler: When did they start putting dowel pins in them?

[Kern Dog]

A fellow FBBO member had an issue with his steering column in a 1969 Coronet that he mentioned to me and it got me curious.
A firm tug on the steering wheel pulled the wheel and steering shaft rearward, pulling the guts out of the coupler. It has been awhile since I have seen that. I thought the steering couplers all had a dowel pin like shown in this Factory Service Manual:

This is a 1973 Dodge manual

Much of my experience is with 1970-76 A bodies I parted out or pulled parts from in junkyards. Here is a small sample from my stash…

First, the different lengths was noticeable. The first and the last were power steering as evident by the smaller diameter hole.

Regardless, back on point.

The two with holes did not have the hole going all the way through. This seems to be a safety feature to keep the shaft connected to the coupler without coming out unless you’re intending for it to come out.
Who knows when this started? My beater Jigsaw Charger is a 1970 model with an original column. It has the hole and dowel.

Yes. The seal is torn. It matches the look of the car for now.

Did this change take place for the 1970 model year?

 

[69Bee]

Everyone I have seen has the small pin to prevent the shoes from coming out of the coupler body. As long as this style of coupler was used, it had a pin. Your buddy either forgot to put the pin back in, or the hole/pin was worn so badly that it fell out. You should NEVER be able to pull back on the steering wheel and pull it and shaft out of the coupler.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

It showed up the same time as the collapsible column arrived...

 

[Kern Dog]

Steering coupler rebuild kits have these parts:

You can see the small dowel here. It must be adequate to keep the shoes from moving rearward.

 

[Kern Dog]

It showed up the same time as the collapsible column arrived...

That would be 1967 model year if I recall.
I have a few early A couplers without the dowel holes, manual and power. The later A and all B couplers seem to be a mix of with and without.

 

[Kern Dog]

A little detective work….
@CoronetDarter will be impressed. I may have pin pointed when the dowels first appeared but maybe not…

FSM shows nothing in this picture.

But then….

By the manuals, there wasnt a dowel in 1969 but there was in 1971. But wait, there is more…

This was in my 1970 manual

If the manuals are correct, should this car have one?

My beater 67 Dart has a column from a 68 Valiant that was a floor shift with power steering. Probably an unusual car since it was a pretty basic car line.

No holes.

Of course there is no easy way to know what parts got swapped around unless you owned the car since new and you’re sure the parts on the car are original.
This topic isn’t totally settled yet.

 

[The Rebel]

Hey Kern, you might find this interesting. I installed it on my 68 charger.

Mopar A B E Body 66-73 Dodge Plymouth 3.0" STAINLESS Steering Column Coupler Cover Clamp / Retainer - Detroit Muscle Technologies, LLC Mopar A B E Body 66-73 Dodge Plymouth 3.0" STAINLESS Steering Column Coupler Cover Clamp / Retainer

 

[YY1]

The real question-

what failed and allowed the wheel/column to be pulled back?