I was putting my column together but seems I'm missing something....Does the lower part of column, more specifically the shift tube have a support of somesort? This is a power steering column auto car if that matters. Thanks guys

Also any chance anyone would have an exploded parts diagram of the column?

Something similar to this post, although that looks like a diff. shift tube... https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=5749545&Main=5749120

This area?

Yes what holds that shift tube from flopping around inside the jacket?


Thanks for that pic

That lower bearing as pictured holds the shift tube at the bottom. At the top there is another bearing that fits within the bearing housing (the bearing housing is the very top of the column that is painted suede whatever color and has the gear shift selection plate on it with the little orange pointer)

I thought I had more pictures from the steering column project but most are either before or after and not too many during the process.
I seem to recall an expoded view of a column but not sure if it was a Year One catalog or the Factory Manual. Someone here will chime in for sure...
Picture of the upper bearing and clips???

Jim

Picture of shaft.

I have the 68 service manual but there is no exploded view of the parts. It says something along the line of, "with dust sheild in place slip the shift tube up through the jacket and into shifter housing" ..... What is the dust sheild thats what gets me and it just didnt seem to fit together right, I dunno It should be simple, I thought.

I have a 69 car and service manual. I needed to study all the steering columns, auto, manual, tilt, and Saginaw to understand what I needed to know. There is a cross sectional view of the lower end of the column in the tilt wheel section that seems to apply to all types (but not all the parts are labeled, unfortunately).

The 69 manual says for auto column,(5) Lube floor plate O ring w soap or rubber lube and slide floor plate assembly onto column. Floor plate MUST be installed before installing shift tube. (6) With DUST WASHER installed on shift tube, slide into jacket...

That dust washer apparently fits the OD of the shift tube as in the link you mentioned. Since it is hidden, I'd be inclined to make one out of scrap foam gasket material that you get with firewall and heater/AC gasket kits. Looks pretty low tech and high chances of success.

PM me if more info from the 69 manual might help.

I think this may be the dust shield mentioned. Like most of the other 40 year old foam it crumbled away. Pretty sure I just used some foam weather stripping to duplicate the function.

Jim

you nailed it on the head. That foam piece is the "dust shield" they are referring to and like mentioned I just used some extra 1/2" foam tape that was sent with a heater box kit I bought.

Now that you mentioned about centering the shift tube I dug up this picture. It looks like those plastic inserts help with that very function. If you can't locate a suitable steering column I have an extra from a 68 Plymouth Satellite, column shift, power steering. It's blue but you can always change colors. I know it is a 68 from the reverse switch assy at the end. Cover shipping and it is yours.

Jim

Jim, I'd be very greatful for that I'll PM you

People helping people, it's a great thing. Those plastic things around your column must be just a '68 thing. They aren't on my '69 column. The centering of the shift tube though is accomplished by the bearings at each end. If you had to cut your shift tube you should only need the tube and possibly that lower bearing which can be purchased new.

Ya I had to cut the inner bearing race off the steering shaft, the plastic around it was full of rust (I thought it was just accumulated junk from over the years) when I took out my shift tube it was flush to the end of the shifter arm I didnt think twice about it, but I didnt cut it, it came right out. It all makes sense now, I really appreciate everyone's help w/ the pics.

-Josh

be careful with the ('68 automatic) reverse light switch post on the column they are hard to find and pretty pricy.....around $50 for that little post. I think Brad's NOS has them the last time I looked.

MikeR

My column didnt even have that part on it, must have been scavenged before I got it?

If you find one still in a column this is how I removed it: drill a small hole in the push pin that flares the bottom flange/tabs/barbs and thread a small screw into it.

Pull the rivet pin out with a pair of pliers