Hey guys, Been here a few times but rarely post (usually everythings been said long before i get there).

I have a bad rattle in ,my steering column- car is a 1963 dodge dart -225. Manual steering.

I noticed the rubber that goes around the top part of the column comming from the firewall to the steering box is missing , an that a possible pin is missing from the shaft to the box.
Any ideas? im stumped.
This car has been my daily driver for the last 8 years hitting 300,000 miles in about another month.

Mods- i did a search for alike wise question , i was unable to find it... if this a reoccuring type question,sorry

You need to replace that seal, and if you're actually missing that pin, the car is dangerous and must not be driven til the pin's replaced.

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Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Thanks...funny thing is i think that pin has been missing for some time...like 75k miles missing.
now i get to go about looking for a steering column seal.
Thanks again

Really not much reason to ride around without that roll pin installed in the steering coupler. A new one costs like 25 cents and they're pretty easy to install with the right kind of punch.

-James

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There's no pin on the '63's and early '64's.

It's a bolt with a nut on the end of it.

Never liked this setup as the bolt loosened up even with Locktite red.

Swapped out a late '64 to '66 shaft to get the pin design.

I suspect safety is why the factory made that change.

--Walt Jackson

yeah i finnaly got a full service book for my 63- an i does not show a pin in place, however i think that nut needs to be tightened.

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"...From my cold ,dead hands.."

Rattle might be from a worn out upper bearing just behind the steering wheel.

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Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

i would have to remove the steering wheel to check that, but i think it might be worth it.
it only real rattles (semi violently) at about 50+ mph,

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"...From my cold ,dead hands.."

Is it a noise like a vibration or a left/right movment of the wheel?
If a left/right movement, you might need to check the steering gear (tie rod ends, wheel bearings,and Idler arm for excess play, also tire balance).

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Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

tire balance is a good one to check like fopar said...see if any of your weights fell off on your wheels. ive been getting a little intermittent (but somewhat constant) pulse at 35mph+ got out to check and my driver side tire was missing its weight.