Steering Column Assembly Instructions

[MrMoparCHP]

I thought I'd outline how to put a steering column back together, along the way I may make comments about the disassembly but for the most part you can just start from the bottom and work up. For starters this column had surface rust inside and out, every little part needed cleaning weather it was blasting or soaking in vinegar.

For those who may be interested here are some links to the before pictures.
http://www.mrmopar.com/1969PolaraCHP/Gallery/150809.htm
http://www.mrmopar.com/1969PolaraCHP/Gallery/150810.htm
http://www.mrmopar.com/1969PolaraCHP/Gallery/150813.htm
http://www.mrmopar.com/1969PolaraCHP/Gallery/150816.htm

1. Slide 2-hole plate onto jacket
2. Slip O-ring onto jacket
3. Slide 3-hole plate onto jacket
4. Bolt pates together (placement not important, more to protect paint)

5. Insert shift tube into jacket
6. Grease and install lower bearing with 2 bolts

7. Insert shift spring in housing
8. Insert lever and press in pin

9. Install spring washer
10. Install shift housing, lube the inside of the housing where it meets the tube

11. Install gate on upper housing with 2 screws (mine never came apart)

12. Put housing mounting studs (square head bolts) through holes and install nuts loosely (like only a couple threads)
13. Install housing, hold both nuts down and work both studs in place. I fount it easier to stand the column up, the side of the heads of the studs lock into the square pockets on the side of the column housing. This is a three handed job as you also need to hold the shift lever up

14. Lock down nuts, check shift for rotation
15. Slide steering shaft in, enough to expose both clip grooves
16. Install lower clip
17. Grease and install bearing
18. Install snap ring (I was able to push it on with a deep socket, no snap ring tool needed)
19. Install insulator
20. Slide shaft down to seat bearing

21. Install turn switch
22. Install turn switch plate with 3 screws
23. Install turn signal lever and screw, check operation

 

[MrMoparCHP]

24. Install trough (switch wire cover) with 2 screws

25. Install switch connector
26. Install shift indicator. I was able to get replacement rivets from McMaster Carr, they needed to be trimmed about 3/32"

26. Install spacers on bracket
27. Install bracket with 4 bolts

28. Column is ready to install, the lower plates and upper mounting brackets will need to be locked down once adjusted to column placement once installed.

Alan

 

[67-Fury]

Beautiful work! that steering wheel is Beyond perfect.

 

[commando1]

Sticky please...

 

[live4theking]

This is intense. I never thought that there were so many parts in a steering column. Great work too...
:yourock:

 

[vdk2010]

Great work, Alan. Looks awesome!

Have you bought a new lower bearing? If yes, can you please name your source? Mine is shot...
I just need the bearing, I opened up the housing. I can't find a new bearing with the right size.

What structured paint have you used for the housing to match the original pattern?

 

[MrMoparCHP]

Great work, Alan. Looks awesome!

Have you bought a new lower bearing? If yes, can you please name your source? Mine is shot...
I just need the bearing, I opened up the housing. I can't find a new bearing with the right size.

What structured paint have you used for the housing to match the original pattern?

Lower bearing
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400975694178

I just used Krylon/Rustoleum Satin Black

The 3 brackets were powder coated in low gloss.


Alan

 

[commando1]

The 3 brackets were powder coated in low gloss

:eusa_wall:

 

[67-Fury]

Crazy that lower bearing cost that much.

 

[MrMoparCHP]

Crazy that lower bearing cost that much.

Yup, add the cost of the upper bearing ($20), spacers ($30) and new rag joint biscuit ($200), I'm just glad I didn't need a new turn signal switch.

oh, and powder coating ($100)


Alan

 

[vdk2010]

Lower bearing
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400975694178

I just used Krylon/Rustoleum Satin Black

The 3 brackets were powder coated in low gloss.


Alan

And again, Imperial parts are different. No screws on mine...

Have you painted the dash frame in the same flat paint to match the steering column parts? I tried to find the correct structured paint for the dash but with no success. The wrinkle paint I found has to "big" wrinkles.

 

[MrMoparCHP]

And again, Imperial parts are different. No screws on mine...

Have you painted the dash frame in the same flat paint to match the steering column parts? I tried to find the correct structured paint for the dash but with no success. The wrinkle paint I found has to "big" wrinkles.

Looks like you are correct,
2950504 wo/tilt
2950570 w/tilt

I used the same satin black paint to paint the dash frame as they should match.
The best i could tell (looking at three frames) is that there isn't any texture more than the satin. One of these is my Other Polara and it is in very good condition. On this column and dash frame I just cleaned and used a Scotch-Brite pad before painting them.

On my 67 Barracuda there was, it was cleaned and a fresh coat of paint just for color.


Alan