Why did the shoe in my Steering Coupler break?

Why did the shoe in my Steering Coupler break? - 01/02/10 06:22 PM

While removing my steering box for R&R, I disconnected the steering coupling. No problem in the process. When dismantling the coupler I discovered that one of the shoes inside the coupler was broken. All the other parts, including the coupler itself, seem fine (photo attached). I do have a coupling rebuild kit, so all the guts of the coupler will be replaced.

A little history:
The car, '68 RR was originally a manual steering car. One of the previous owners converted it to power steering so I know the coupling was off at some point in the cars life.

What may have caused this?
I want to make sure this doesn't happen again.

Thanks
Frank

Posted By: aarcuda

Re: Why did the shoe in my Steering Coupler break? - 01/02/10 06:47 PM

never saw that before. maybe it was dropped and had a small fracture on it before it was installed and it let go

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: Why did the shoe in my Steering Coupler break? - 01/02/10 08:15 PM

If the pieces in there were positioned correctly which I'm sure they were as you'd have a ton of play if you had them sideways I'd say just a (very rare) defect in the metallurgy. I'd grab a new kit (only $10-12 or so) & I think you'll be fine but I would give everything inside the coupler a good visual inspection.

Posted By: 340dart4spd

Re: Why did the shoe in my Steering Coupler break? - 01/02/10 08:25 PM

Quote:

While removing my steering box for R&R, I disconnected the steering coupling. No problem in the process. When dismantling the coupler I discovered that one of the shoes inside the coupler was broken. All the other parts, including the coupler itself, seem fine (photo attached). I do have a coupling rebuild kit, so all the guts of the coupler will be replaced.

A little history:
The car, '68 RR was originally a manual steering car. One of the previous owners converted it to power steering so I know the coupling was off at some point in the cars life.

What may have caused this?
I want to make sure this doesn't happen again.

Thanks
Frank

Is it possibl it was put in backwards?

Attached picture 5706138-strclm2.JPG

Posted By: Chi_Town_Runner

Re: Why did the shoe in my Steering Coupler break? - 01/02/10 09:52 PM

Quote:

Is it possible it was put in backwards?

It could have been. When I pulled the coupler off of the steering shaft the broken pieces fell to the floor. The other shoe stayed on the shaft due to the grease around it. Never thought about checking the original orientation since when the one side fell I didn't know it was broken.
I doubt it was in wrong but it's possible.

When looking at the broken shoe it's as though it was a cold break in the metal. Don't know if it was a stress break or not.

Frank

Posted By: Chi_Town_Runner

Re: Why did the shoe in my Steering Coupler break? - 01/03/10 02:05 AM

for me

Anybody from the night shift have any ideas?

Frank

Posted By: NITROUSN

Re: Why did the shoe in my Steering Coupler break? - 01/03/10 02:33 AM

Why worry over something no one can give you the for sure answer on.

No doubt someone boned up at some time. Put it togeather right and you will have no worries.

Posted By: rrunner

Re: Why did the shoe in my Steering Coupler break? - 01/03/10 02:34 AM

Hey Frank,
Never tried to install them backwards, don't think it's possible. Also by the wear marks it appears it was installed the correct way.

Can't say I have ever pulled one out cracked like that, even the ones that are installed sideways.

Posted By: Chi_Town_Runner

Re: Why did the shoe in my Steering Coupler break? - 01/03/10 02:50 AM

I just want to make sure I don't make the same mistake (if there was one) like the last guy.

I'm not worried about putting it back together correctly, I know I can do that. I just wanted to know if someone may of had another reason this could have happened that I was not aware of.

Thanks for the input guys.

Frank

Posted By: 340dart4spd

Re: Why did the shoe in my Steering Coupler break? - 01/03/10 02:55 AM

Quote:

Hey Frank,
Never tried to install them backwards, don't think it's possible. Also by the wear marks it appears it was installed the correct way. Can't say I have ever pulled one out cracked like that, even the ones that are installed sideways.

Trust me it will go in backwards.. don't ask me how I know.... that was 25 years ago...LOL

Posted By: rrunner

Re: Why did the shoe in my Steering Coupler break? - 01/03/10 02:56 AM

The only thing I would think to check is to make sure your steering shaft isn't bent and possibly the box mounting. I know you are replacing the box and got a new shoe kit so as long as the shaft and mounting surface are good you should be good to go.

Posted By: Chi_Town_Runner

Re: Why did the shoe in my Steering Coupler break? - 01/03/10 03:03 AM

10-4

Thanks

Frank

Posted By: Magnum

Re: Why did the shoe in my Steering Coupler break? - 01/03/10 04:58 AM

Quote:

One of the previous owners converted it to power steering

I do have faith in the installed backwards theory but since you are digging. Is the steering shaft from the conversion too long and bottoming the coupler out?

Posted By: Chi_Town_Runner

Re: Why did the shoe in my Steering Coupler break? - 01/03/10 06:29 AM

Quote:

Is the steering shaft from the conversion too long and bottoming the coupler out?

Good Point.

I don't know. The steering box is out and I am waiting for my new one.

From reading the FSM it appears that you adjust the depth of the shaft in the coupler after you assemble and monunt it to the box. Once you adjust the depth you secure the steering column, unless I'm reading something wrong. I just skimmed over the reassembly section since I'm not quite there yet, but it's something I'm gonna check out.

You may be onto something.

Thanks for the insight.

Frank

Posted By: buildanother

Re: Why did the shoe in my Steering Coupler break? - 01/03/10 02:00 PM

No help here, as I've never seen a break like that, and I've owned 10 different daily driven 78-90 4x4 full-size dodges in 25 years w/out borgesin. Rust belt too.