I wrecked my car a while back. I had the frame straightened and the car painted. I have not driven it much since it has been finished because I needed to replace the steering box.

One problem I had been having was the car was coming out of gear. I had the steering box installed today and my mechanic told me that the frame was bent. Where the steering shaft goes into the firewall, the shaft rubs. This is what causes the car to come out of gear when I turn the wheel. He also pointed out where the hood and fender and bumper don't line up quite right.

My body man admits that the body lines aren't perfect but does not think it is from a bent frame.

Is it possible that the k-member can get knocked out of alignment between the frame rails? Could this be causing my problems?

It sounds plausible to me.

You need to take to a good frame shop. They can put it on a rack and measure everything precisely; then you'll know.

FWIW, A-body Mopars, and most other Mopars for that matter, don't really have a frame. They are made of a welded structure called a "unibody." It is very strong but also tricky to get properly aligned when damaged.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

Are you 100% sure there is not a bad bearing in the steering column, or the column itself is bent? I have to think that if the frame was bent badly enough to cause what you describe the car would still be undrivable.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

If you get a little grease up in there where the shaft is rubbing it may be enough to keep you from coming out of gear.

When I was taking my column out and in, it made odd noises on turns and the shaft appeared to be angled such as in dudley's pic. I remember there being a flange against the firewall with 3 bolts holding it in place. The flange was slotted a bit to allow for adjustment - I had to fiddle with the adjustment so it wouldn't rub. While it isn't completely straight it is closer then it was before and the noise stopped.

Adjusted the steering column and it fixed my problem. Thanks guys.