I am feeling extremely lucky

Zymurgy

Zymurgy

Old Man with a Hat
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Little back story, took Goldie for a spin a few weeks ago. My voltage regulator went out again and I got a tow home. After the guy dropped her off I hooked up a battery charger and then pulled it into the garage, something was catching when I turned the steering wheel.

I honestly kind of forgot about it until I changed the voltage regulator and went to go for a drive. I raised up the front end and couldn't find what was catching on the suspension.

I left it for a week and came back today. This time I left it on the ground and turned the steering wheel. It was definitely catching on something, this time I popped the hood and it became quite obvious.

One bolt was completely gone and other bolt I was able to turn the nut off with my fingers. Frightening to think what could have happened, never been so happy a voltage regulator failed at a very opportune time.

20180719_153754.jpg
 
The crazy part I believe the bolts were loose but had not fallen out until the 30 mile ride home on the tow truck. I pulled it into a parking place at a restaurant and was having no steering issues, until it came off the truck.
 
The bolts are supposed to be secured with nuts lock washers and cotter pins. If they backed out and fell off then there were likely no cotter pins.
 
Zymurgy said:
Little back story, took Goldie for a spin a few weeks ago. My voltage regulator went out again and I got a tow home. After the guy dropped her off I hooked up a battery charger and then pulled it into the garage, something was catching when I turned the steering wheel.

I honestly kind of forgot about it until I changed the voltage regulator and went to go for a drive. I raised up the front end and couldn't find what was catching on the suspension.

I left it for a week and came back today. This time I left it on the ground and turned the steering wheel. It was definitely catching on something, this time I popped the hood and it became quite obvious.

One bolt was completely gone and other bolt I was able to turn the nut off with my fingers. Frightening to think what could have happened, never been so happy a voltage regulator failed at a very opportune time.

View attachment 200305
Click to expand...

Since the bolts are already out, this would be a good time to disassemble the lower coupling and give it a shot of grease after you have inspected it.

Dave
 
I have a question on reinstalling the bolts. I actually already have bolted it back up with a lock nut and blue thread lock. The original bolt has a hole for a counter pin but there is no way I could turn that nut down to reach that hole to install the pin. Am I missing something?
 
The bolts are very specific allen head bolts that sit in recesses. It should not be a problem getting the nuts on far enough.

I'll try and post a pic tomorrow.

Blue thread lock will not cut it.
 
Ross Wooldridge said:
The bolts are very specific allen head bolts that sit in recesses. It should not be a problem getting the nuts on far enough.

I'll try and post a pic tomorrow.

Blue thread lock will not cut it.
Click to expand...

Thanks I am glad I brought that up I didn't install something correctly, probably 5 years ago.
 
Golly. Been there ... kinda. Way back when I clumsily tried to replace the stub frame on my 69 Sport Fury, I screwed something up massively in the coupling. Didn't catch it until after bombing around Vancouver, at times over 100 MPH. Running low on fuel, I pulled into a gas station and put it in reverse to back up closer to the pump. When I spinned the wheel, it did so freely. Popped the hood and the coupling had sheared off. One heart attack and a tow later...

Glad you caught it, man!
 
Davea Lux said:
If you changed the rubber joint, you might have on that is thicker than the original.

Dave
Click to expand...
That is still the original rubber joint, I have never replaced it. If new ones are available should I go ahead and replace it?
 
Zymurgy said:
That is still the original rubber joint, I have never replaced it. If new ones are available should I go ahead and replace it?
Click to expand...

These joints are getting hard to find and are pricey. I would not change it as long as it is still sound. Check your bolts where they go in above the rubber mount to be sure that they are properly seated. You should be able to install the cotter keys without difficulty, so something here is not right. Might have to find a pair of the nuts off of a donor car as they are a specialty item.

Dave
 
I definitely have something wrong. The nut that was on it was just a normal one.

20180719_155108.jpg
 
Last edited:
Ross Wooldridge said:
Left hand end is the integral allen key head designed to fit in the recess of the rubber donut. Should be 4. Regular nuts lock washers and cotter pins on the other end.
Click to expand...

Bingo now it all makes since, I put it in backwards 5 years ago. Thanks!

Now I need another Allen keyed bolt.
 
Zymurgy said:
Bingo now it all makes since, I put it in backwards 5 years ago. Thanks!

Now I need another Allen keyed bolt.
Click to expand...

There should be millions of those bolts around in the C body world. Someone here should have spares or contact National Moparts or Murray Park - they'll have good used correct bolts.

If I come across a source I'll let you know.

So, following up here I'm copying and pasting my response on your other post looking for the bolt:

I strongly suggest that Loctite will NOT cut it in this application, as there are too many repeated stresses on the nuts and bolts when steering that will ultimately make the nuts back off. That's why they were used with lock washers and pinned originally. Do NOT rely on thread lock in this situation.

I looked around to see if the originals were available - NOT. Not even a part number, as they were included in a coupler package.

That being said, similar bolts as described above will be available at good suppliers, but without the hole, which in my opinion (which may mean little! LOL) you MUST drill and use pins and lock washers.

Yes, drilling accurately through the threads of even a slightly hardened bolt will be challenging, but not impossible. Here's my suggestion:

Go to a good machine shop with the original bolt as a guide, and the new bolts. Get a throwaway nut of the softest steel (non hardened) that fits and spin it on (perhaps double nut it to keep it in place), chuck it in a holding vise and drill through the nut and the bolt using a drill press. Little to no flash, the hole will be properly centered, away you go. 5 minutes at best...
 
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