Moparts

A-body steering column collapsed. How to repin?

Posted By: twister360

A-body steering column collapsed. How to repin? - 05/20/09 03:00 PM

My column is collapsed. I pulled it back to the original position ( indicated by a black mark probably put on at the factory ). I pulled the inner shaft out far enough and could see a recessed grove in the shaft. Should I put it back in the original position and say repin it with some small aluminum shear stock? I would think that would be strong enough to hold everything in place, yet shear in the event of an accident. Please advise.

Thanks, Gary
Posted By: NachoRT74

Re: A-body steering column collapsed. How to repin? - 05/20/09 03:28 PM

original pins were plastic, so I don't think aluminium won't hold the position BUT, I think is better try to get PLASTIC pins back to better break in in case of emergency, like originally was.
Posted By: twister360

Re: A-body steering column collapsed. How to repin? - 05/20/09 03:34 PM

Any idea where I could get plastic pins?
Posted By: NachoRT74

Re: A-body steering column collapsed. How to repin? - 05/20/09 03:41 PM

not really, hehe, sorry. I'm not in USA to know if they are available

maybe you can use one of those plastic rivest used on some parts of modern cars ? and then melt down the ends to a propper fitment.

just an idea.

Unless somebody sells liquid plastic
Posted By: 70Duster440

Re: A-body steering column collapsed. How to repin? - 05/20/09 04:59 PM

Quote:

Any idea where I could get plastic pins?



Try a well stocked hardware store with drawers. You should be able to find small nylon screws that will do for pins.
Posted By: twister360

Re: A-body steering column collapsed. How to repin? - 05/20/09 05:52 PM

Good idea. Thanks
Posted By: JulesdaWiperman

Re: A-body steering column collapsed. How to repin? - 05/21/09 12:31 AM

Guys they are not pins.
The holes are there so that nylon could be injected in the recessed area.
See below.
Jules

Attached picture 5242620-ebodysteeringshaft(2).jpg
Posted By: JulesdaWiperman

Re: A-body steering column collapsed. How to repin? - 05/21/09 12:32 AM

2

Attached picture 5242621-ebodysteeringshaft(4).jpg
Posted By: scamper340

Re: A-body steering column collapsed. How to repin? - 05/21/09 02:02 AM

Moparts is awesome, kinda like that show "How Stuff Works", lol. Thanks for the pics Jules.
Posted By: twister360

Re: A-body steering column collapsed. How to repin? - 05/21/09 02:58 AM

Quote:

Guys they are not pins.
The holes are there so that nylon could be injected in the recessed area.
See below.
Jules

I drilled out the remainder of the injected nylon in the 4 holes on the inner shaft and found some 1/8" nylon screws and shaved the thread off and pushed them in the hole and cut them off leaving them a little long and hammered them home and filed off the excess with a file. Will this work?
Posted By: JulesdaWiperman

Re: A-body steering column collapsed. How to repin? - 05/21/09 10:43 AM

Here is my take on this.
The injection is simply there to keep the two halves together at the
correct length so that the column can be assembled. Once installed in the car,
the shaft has no where to go. The top part of the shaft is held by a C clip in the top collar.
The bottom shaft is held in the coupler by the blocks and a small pin in the block.
In an accident the injection plays no role. If the accident is major enough to compress the column,
then simply using glue will do the job.
Jules
Posted By: twister360

Re: A-body steering column collapsed. How to repin? - 05/21/09 11:08 AM

Sounds like my solution will work. I am going to assemble the column and install it in my Duster today.

Thanks Jules
© 2024 Moparts Forums