I disassembled my steering column (65 valiant) for painting. While it was out I took the steering coupler apart to clean and lube it. My question is on the lower steering column tube. My seal was destroyed, but when I took it off it appeared to be somewhat more like a bearing ? Is that the case? Or is it just a dust /water seal.

Rick Covalt

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

It's a fancy seal with nylon on the inside.

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Joshua

That's what it appears to be. But is that bearing? or is it just a fancy seal. Since I don't have one and this is primarily a race car, do I need to get one?

Thanks for your help'

Rick

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

It's a fancy seal. My best guess is the nylon is there for wear reasons. If you don't have a seal on the column you'll get air from the engine compartment up the column and into the car. Could be fun with an engine fire.

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Joshua

Anyone have have a exploded view of the column and how it bolts back in the car? I took this all apart 20+ years ago and I am not sure how it all goes in down at the firewall end. There are 2 flat plates at the bottom and the piece that bolts into the floor. Is there a seal / O-ring between the plates? I have a FSM but can't seem to locate a picture of the column anywhere! Anyway a Pic would be helpful. I'm sure I can figure it out on my own but since it is all painted nice I'd like to know what I am doing when I start back together.

Thanks,

Rick

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

I found the special lower seal, but they were $40-60. So I just went to the Timken seal catalog and got one that fit the shaft ( .750) and just fit inside the lower column tube which is 2". The seal doesn't drive in the tube snug so I just set 3 small sheet metal screws in tube and slid the seal up inside about 1/2". Then I ran a bead of silicone around to seal it up. I will let you know how it works out,
Rick
PS I will post the seal number I used later if someone wants it. I paid $12 for it but found it on line for $4.99.

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

So long as that seal doesn't bind with chassis flex it should work well. I may need something like that for my '66 Barracuda so the part number would be nice to have.

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Joshua

Yes, If I run into any problem I'll let you know.

The seal number is a National / Timken # 473407, and it had an OD. of 1.987 so it fit nicely inside the tube. If someone was really good with the caliper and wanted to take a chance they could probably find a seal that could be driven into the tube. I knew I would never be so lucky to have it work so I took the safe route and got one just slightly small.


Rick

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

Here is a place that lists newer model steering shaft bearings etc.. Perhaps someone with a newer car could take advantage of this part.

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67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

One other idea...
In the past, I have used the torsion bar 'balloon seal' to cover the end of the steering column tube.
The large end fits over the end of the tube & the ID is a touch large and not lined but it works... keeps the hot engine compartment air from blowing up and into the car.
The good news, I have a "bucket-full" of used ones so zero cost.
DD

I just pulled a steering column from the 65 Signet I'm parting out. It has a rubber seal that looks like an oversize grommet that goes on the smaller of the two plates that bolts to the floor board and seals the column to the plate. Also doesn't allow the column to flop around against the plate. Hope this helps

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65 Dart station wagon slant 6 - now under construction
47 Dodge Custom 4 Door sedan
87 D100 Short Bed slant 6

Retired USAF 1966-1986
Retired US Postal Service 2004-2014

Yes sirree, thanks!

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

You have probably already seen this, but if not...
There is a picture of the seal that goes between the firewall and the plate, but not a picture of it assembled.

http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/ ... upler.html

Edit: Oops. My bad.
That's a 64 Belvedere.
But there was a similar seal stuck to my firewall when I took my 63 A-body column out a couple months ago.

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63 Signet / 10 inch front drums / weber 2bbl / HEI / 2.76 rear end