Steering Box/Coupler alignment questions

[D Cluley]

Checking off some small projects this week on my '65 Chrysler and thought I would replace the rubber coupling in the steering shaft. Should be simple, right?

Instead, I've noticed two things which may or may not be problems, and may be related?

First, the steering box & its shaft are not aligned straight with the upper shaft in the column. Is this normal, or does something need to be moved. The steering column seems to be straight, and the box is definitely at an angle to the center line of the car (note the relationship to the torsion bar below it). Looking in the FSM, there is a whole complicated procedure for aligning the box on an Imperial, but for Chrysler it just says to tighten the 3 mounting bolts, so that implies a lack of adjustment?

I do know that the bolts don't go like that between the shafts, I just did that to hold the flanges together for the picture.

Potentially more concerning is that the coupler flange on the lower shaft is a little bit loose. I does not turn on the splines, but has definite movement in and out on the shaft & a sideways wobble. You can see the gaps in these two pictures.

I am assuming that this is not supposed to loose?

If that is the case, is there any reason not to take it to a shop & get it welded to the shaft?

 

[Gerald Morris]

Checking off some small projects this week on my '65 Chrysler and thought I would replace the rubber coupling in the steering shaft. Should be simple, right?

Instead, I've noticed two things which may or may not be problems, and may be related?

First, the steering box & its shaft are not aligned straight with the upper shaft in the column. Is this normal, or does something need to be moved. The steering column seems to be straight, and the box is definitely at an angle to the center line of the car (note the relationship to the torsion bar below it). Looking in the FSM, there is a whole complicated procedure for aligning the box on an Imperial, but for Chrysler it just says to tighten the 3 mounting bolts, so that implies a lack of adjustment?

I do know that the bolts don't go like that between the shafts, I just did that to hold the flanges together for the picture.

View attachment 675531

View attachment 675532

Potentially more concerning is that the coupler flange on the lower shaft is a little bit loose. I does not turn on the splines, but has definite movement in and out on the shaft & a sideways wobble. You can see the gaps in these two pictures.





I am assuming that this is not supposed to loose?

If that is the case, is there any reason not to take it to a shop & get it welded to the shaft?

OK, this is a RAG JOINT COUPLER. You need one of these to replace that with one from a Range Rover! DON'T SCREW UP THAT METAL!! I'm gonna find you the link to order one. If for some odd reason its not available, I've got two, one still unused.

HERE! Buy THIS: You probably will want to shave it down a little, though I used mine and suffered letting the steering wheel come in a fraction of an inch.

https://www.roverparts.com/steering...2jDTqjEcA8QpLk2G5XruCXmOyr1EdUd0cs-eRM6LilP-M

You can likely eBay this one also.

I LOVE the 65-66 C bodies. BEST of the lot in my book.

Happy wrenching!

 

[D Cluley]

No, I've got the correct coupler, I just put the bolts in like that to show the angle between the two shafts.

https://www.classicindustries.com/p...mEq125v3SgV9FZRCdaxoCY8wQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Just need to know for sure if the flange on the lower shaft is supposed to have some play in it or not.

 

[MONC440]

Hi Dan the angle change is normal. The movement of the shaft I don’t think is but it has been years since I changed one. You could have it welded or if you want to make the drive down I could do it for you.

 

[Gerald Morris]

No, I've got the correct coupler, I just put the bolts in like that to show the angle between the two shafts.

https://www.classicindustries.com/p...mEq125v3SgV9FZRCdaxoCY8wQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Just need to know for sure if the flange on the lower shaft is supposed to have some play in it or not.

Gotcha. No play in that shaft! Mine remains properly rigid. Replace yours or fix it for sure.

Thanks big BIG for the link to the new Lares rag joint coupler too! Those were UNOBTAINIUM until recently. Since I LOVE those early Slabbies best, I'll get one when I get another 65-66 Slabby, 4 sure!

 

[D Cluley]

Hi Dan the angle change is normal. The movement of the shaft I don’t think is but it has been years since I changed one. You could have it welded or if you want to make the drive down I could do it for you.

I appreciate the offer. I'm going to check with a shop here in town on Monday, but if that doesn't work out, will get back with you.