Steering coupler found

[Big_John]

Yes, indeed. Without that heat shield the coupler will soon be baked. My 70 has the cylinder style that you mentioned. Removal and installation of the thing is a bit of a fiddly pain, and I imagine many were tossed aside by a mechanic working on "book time" many years ago.
View attachment 496688 View attachment 496693

I think they also were prone to rusting and tossed when the mounting ears gave way.

It was missing on my car, most likely left off or removed during repair. I'd wager that some bought the farm during engine swaps too as they just look like something the engine would hit while swinging from the chain.

Bottom line is they are a bit fragile. I'll even say that the mounting ears were damaged by overtightening to the point of not being serviceable after a coupling replacement when it was installed on the assembly line. Of course, the cars weren't meant to last 50 years either and many cars never had the coupler changed in their lifetime.

I had a hard time finding a decent replacement and even that needed some work. This would be really good part to repop!

 

[commando1]

I went through this coupling bullshit ONCE. That's all it took.
If asked what to do now? Dump it for a new u-joint.

 

[Ripinator]

I just ordered one as well, use this discount code for 5% off.
188951431171528651

Great! Where were you this morning when I ordered mine?!?

 

[detmatt]

That’s disappointing…

 

[Trace 300 Hurst]

That’s disappointing…

But not unexpected.....

 

[MetalManiacAZ]

That’s disappointing…
View attachment 496827

From the RA description:
All Lares parts are guaranteed to be remanufactured in the USA

So apparently the NEW parts are "Hencho en China". Lame.

 

[commando1]

Import coupler.
Import box.
Place coupler in box.
Assembled in America.

 

[saforwardlook]

Stuff from China these days isn't what it used to be. Stuff from Centric is very good, even better than original brake parts in my opinion.

Its the U.S. that has lost a lot of its capability when parts manufacturing was all sent overseas so the corporate execs could make more profits while our workers got sent home. China just keeps getting better and better. We can't even make the computer chips that the current vehicle manufacturers need to keep their cars rolling off the assembly lines - they are mostly sourced from China and South Korea.

Its a changing world out there.....................................and we are the ones losing ground..........................

 

[It's better in a letter]

They list this also #217....is this thing necessary?Should it be ordered because it's hard to find?

View attachment 496255

View attachment 496256

Rock Auto #217 is the insulator for the blade and slot style of steering shaft used until about 1964 and before. A copper strip is also needed to complete the ground path for the horn. No horn function with out that.

 

[carrman]

Looks like my car doesn't use this coupler. While this isn't my car, it is the same shaft my car has.