Steering Coupler

[odzking]

Yes Mike, That has been changed once before. The original had a case around it as seen.

[pmike]

Thanks!

As the top (to the steering wheel) part of the coupler seems to be of same piece with the slider (?) next to it, it would be so that someone has just swapped the puck to the curvy rubber rag disk? Or does the bottom part (on the power steering side) look original?

Would anyone have any photos of conversion to flaming river type joint, like www.flamingriver.com/index.php/products/c0005/s0006/FR1506M ? From boards I have understood this can be made but how will you handle the slider part then?

What other options would I have than replace the rag joint disk with similar, or get a new aluminium "hockey puck"?

[odzking]

No, not original but they did a fairly nice job making it work.  Sometimes you have to if you can't find th eright part.
I went with the semi original part from Bouchillon because the car was in the shop and they/I didn't have time to make something work.
They still have the old style pictured but it is the newer one.
www.bpeusa.com/BPE2119.asp


You will also need one of these.  Don't order it from EBag, some folks are asking $49 for them ... rip offs.
They are still available from Chrysler for $16 roughly, I just got one. 4443436AC is the part number.
All though I have to say A-Z has a good price on them too.

www.ebay.com/itm/70s-Dodge-Charger-Dart-Challenger-Super-Bee-etc-Steering-Coupler-Kit-OE-Mopar-/310781344940?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item485c02fcac&vxp=mtr

[odzking]

Here is a pic of what it looks like now.

[DynoDave]

OK guys...chance for me to learn something (which I will soon forget, but hey, it's better than never learning anything at all).



I've never seen a rag joint that had this S shape to it. The ones I recall were always straight / flat. Is this a '73 thing?

And what's this "spring" looking thing (yellow arrow) wrapped around the shaft?

[Deleted]

Dave, the rag joint shouldn't look like that.
It's either "rigged" or damaged/broken.

I think someone rigged a universal rag joint on there...and that was the result.

[pmike]

Thanks!

That's what I thought about the rag joint too..

I'll have to check with the local Chrysler dealer if they can order the rebuilt kit for me. I have a lathe and such so I might consider if I'd make the aluminium puck myself, well the Bouchillon price isn't too bad but international shipping and customs/taxes make surprisingly much especially as this will not be the only part I'll need for the car..

[DynoDave]

Thanks Tom. I thought something was up with that.

My first thought was that someone had swapped columns for one that is about a 1/2 to 3/4 inch longer than the original.

[odzking]

On a similar note, can someone educate me on how to replace the "guts" on the coupler above?
ossibly Tom or someone who has done this, th service manual (73) is confusing and I git this from Hamtramck site.
Upon return home from Carlisle, I notice some play in the wheel in and out of the column. Or up and won if you will.
I immediately looked at the coupler and it is fine, it seems to be moving in and out of the other coupler. I purchased the kit from the dealer as mentioned previously but am unsure how to take it apart as the 73 manual refers to an adjustment "nut".
Assembly seems straight forward. Anything special?

[Nacho-RT74]

not that hard... need to remove seal cover, seal and move out the dowel pin from inside... then get out the shaft with shoes attached, or coupler body itself.

wird on the pic you posted the dowel pin is not shown





to install the new seal retainer is TRICKY!!! Couple of C clamps is advised to keep it in place for a while you hammer the tabs againts the coupler body:





( althought I used couple of Cable Ties because I did it with coupler still attached to seering box, on car )