Steering isolator/coupler

[BillGrissom]

The Dorman one will work fine. When the factory coupler on my 65 Newport split ~1997, I couldn't find a replacement (or didn't look, I forgot). I stopped at a local rubber shop w/ a drawing and they punched out a disk in rubber/fabric for <$10. Has worked fine since. I kind of felt dumb when I later saw similar rubber disks in the HELP bubble packs at auto parts. Mine also has the metal heat shield. I am pretty sure that mine also has a "metal box w/ sliding shaft" just before the gear box, similar to my A-bodies. Therefore, I think the rubber disk doesn't need to allow for axial movement. It is just there for the more elegant road feel isolation that C-body drivers expected then. Most people today would prefer more road feel, like BMW made famous w/ rack & pinion. Don't forget to run a jumper wire across the rubber disk, otherwise your horn won't work (my problem once). The factory disk had a metal strap for that.

 

[commando1]

I am pretty sure that mine also has a "metal box w/ sliding shaft" just before the gear box,

What a P.I.T.A. it is to change those. It's not rocket science but those damn things are very uncooperative.

This whole discussion and reminding me about this stuff just convinces me all the more to yank all that stuff out and replace it with a Flaming River U-joint when the time comes.

 

[thrashingcows]

What a P.I.T.A. it is to change those. It's not rocket science but those damn things are very uncooperative.

This whole discussion and reminding me about this stuff just convinces me all the more to yank all that stuff out and replace it with a Flaming River U-joint when the time comes.

Yup it sure does. But you don't need to use Flaming river. Just count the splines...and measure the diameter...and you can pick up the universals pretty cheap from a generic parts outlet.

 

[300rag]

I installed the one from Bouchillon on my '65 Monaco last year. In case you do not know....this part is solid billet. There is no rubber. ........

I talked to Randy at Bouchillon this morning and he confirmed that the newest rendition is in fact solid powdercoated aluminum. He says the original ones he made were rubber but did not hold up to the heat well, then he tried polyurethane which he says smelled like crap when it got hot, so then he switched to solid over a year ago.