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Play in the steering wheel
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Author:  trebor75 [ Mon Jul 28, 2008 2:03 am ]
Post subject:  Play in the steering wheel
I recently changed the idler and pitman arm to brand new ones because I had some play in the steering and they where really worn. Doing this eliminated most of the play, but not all. I can also, with the window rolled down hear a slight click from the left front wheel when I slowly go up a curb. On inspection last year I got no points from anything in the front end (they did say it was time to change the idler and pitman arm).

What other parts in the fron end can cause this play?
Author:  70valiant [ Mon Jul 28, 2008 3:40 am ]
Post subject: 
Ball joints, control arm bushings, strut rod bushings, tie rod ends, streering box...
Author:  KBB_of_TMC [ Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:32 am ]
Post subject: 
Don't overlook the steering shaft coupler - I've seen a number of broken slider inside.
Author:  robertob [ Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:00 am ]
Post subject: 
Mine has that problem (actually every mopar I've owned had that problem) you can tell because you get a knocking/clicking in the steering column when turning into driveways and the like.
Author:  trebor75 [ Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
Mine has that problem (actually every mopar I've owned had that problem) you can tell because you get a knocking/clicking in the steering column when turning into driveways and the like.
Aha, sounds just like mine do. Is that the steering shaft coupler like KBB_of_TMC mention? What can be done about this? I've spent some time searching the forum and found that I can adjust the steering box.
Author:  KBB_of_TMC [ Wed Jul 30, 2008 9:15 am ]
Post subject: 
I've rebuilt the columns for a number of the Tidewater Mopar Club cars, mostly with parts from donor columns of similar years. Every one of them had at least 1 broken slider inside the coupler. It's all in the FSM. Unless it seems to have play or other problems. I would not take it apart.

If you have an assistant turn the steering wheel back and forth while you examine the coupling, you ought to be able to tell if it has a problem - it ought to have virtually no slop.

The coupler is easy to take apart with the column removed EXCEPT that the little clip-on conver on top is a real bear get back on; it wants to distort and flex rather than clip in place. I bought a new one from the dealership, but it still took me a long time to get it back in place properly - there's a synthetic rubber boot I've seen advertised to replace it (I forget where) that I'll definitely have one in hand before I work on another coupler. That silly cover took as much time as rebuilding the whole rest of the column, excluding the painting. If I can't find the boot, I'll definitely need to fabricate some kind of jig to support the cover before I try to put it back.

I've just used the donor columns to get replacement sliders; all the ones I've seen interchanged fine. I gave them a good layer of grease when I reassembed them and with a cover in place they ought to be fine for years.
Author:  robertob [ Wed Jul 30, 2008 11:52 am ]
Post subject: 
You can buy new sliders, or at least you could a couple of years ago. The early A-body housing and cover are different from the later ones too, so save your original parts. It's not a complicated assembly. KBB is right that the stupid sheet metal cover takes most of the time. If you're not careful it will pop off when you install it too. Grrr!
Author:  '74 Sport [ Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
Your MOPAR dealership can get you the whole rebuild kit for around $9, IIRC. I'm at my office, so I don't have the part number handy. Anyone????

The kit contains (at least):
seal
H-shaped sliders
clip to retain sliders
dowel pin
clamp-on retainer for seal
tiny pin to keep everything inside

Just did one a couple of weeks ago,
Jerry
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