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steering column
#669443 August 25th 2014 4:08 pm
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86ed Offline OP
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put a new power steering pump and steering gear box in and was wondering if there should be something around the rod? seems strange that it would be allowed to move around like it is now. there's a certain stretch on I-5 here when i'm hitting the bumps i can hear what i'm guessing is this rod bouncing around the shaft. [Linked Image]

Re: steering column
86ed #669449 August 25th 2014 4:47 pm
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Is the coupler worn out? THat is often a source of much slop in Dodge van steering.


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Re: steering column
86ed #669466 August 25th 2014 7:56 pm
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Not sure if it is worn out or not. I'll have to have a look at some others to tell. But when I had it apart, as the pic shows, I grabbed the end of it and could move it all around, hitting every and any part of the housing. Seems like there should be something to hold it in the centered position as to not touch the outside housing.

Re: steering column
86ed #669555 August 26th 2014 6:05 pm
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86ed, I looked in my vintage Mopar parts manual, and there are several possible parts which could go there, depending on the vintage, model of vehicle, and whether its on a tilt or non-tilt column.

Inside some there there should be a bronze bushing bearing, in others a bearing race, then a large spring, and at the opening a ring clip. Some of the really heavy trucks had a large heavy support seal.

Since you didn't mention seeing a spring, and I see what appears to be scoring on the shaft typical of the burnishing effect of a bushing, I'm thinking you likely had the bushing.

The part number way back then was a 3821298 Sleeve, column shaft bearing.

The bushings were more typical of the heavier A-series vehicles than the B-series vans though... But steering columns are pretty easy to swap.

On the type which used a bearing,
The internal bearing race was a 3748241 Bearing, column shaft lower
The spring was 4088141 Spring, column shaft lower bearing
The clip was only required on manual steering... it was a 748489 Ring, column shaft lower bearing

These part numbers may have been superseded by now. I do have newer electronic versions I could look into if you need, but the paper manual was right next to me. smile

Once again, since you didn't see a spring, (it would be sizable, like a valve spring!) and you mentioned a power steering pump, I think that you had the bushing.


-It's been such a LONG TIME... BlueShift>> 1981 Dodge Ram B250 Custom Sportsman Maxi Van


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Re: steering column
86ed #669561 August 26th 2014 7:48 pm
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86ed Offline OP
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Thanks for those #'s, I'll have to try and see what I can find. I got the column out of a '77. It is power steering and had the cruise control on the signal switch is why I wanted it. Non tilt. I put it in 6 years ago and have been running it like this since. I don't remember loosing any parts when I did the swap but it is possible something fell off. The van I got it out of had the steering gear box missing so it could of been already gone if there was one.

Last edited by 86ed; August 26th 2014 7:49 pm.
Re: steering column
86ed #669617 August 27th 2014 12:47 am
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pooh-bah
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I bet the person who removed the gearbox had a stuck one and beat on it with a hammer to get it loose, which shattered the bushing; they're rather brittle.


-It's been such a LONG TIME... BlueShift>> 1981 Dodge Ram B250 Custom Sportsman Maxi Van


[Linked Image]

It's what you learn after you know it all, that counts...

Are you living to work, or working to live?

[Linked Image]

Learning from my own mistakes is good, learning from yours would be much better! [Linked Image]
Re: steering column
86ed #669741 August 28th 2014 11:15 am
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I have two extra steering columns in the garage. I just checked each one and both do what you are describing. Hit or touch all sides of the bottom of the steering housing when you move the shaft around. After it is connected to the coupler on the steering box, there should be very little side to side movement. I checked on my 76, the coupler area is a solid fit, once bolted together. If you have a factory manual, there is quite a few pics and exploded views of the steering column. Are you sure you are not hearing a shock or suspension part on the front-end that could possibly be making the noise. I would check all bolts located in the steering box and steering column area to make sure everything is tight. If you have a country road near where you live that don't have much traffic, take the engine cover off and hit a few bumps in the road and see if you can hear the noise.

Re: steering column
86ed #669768 August 28th 2014 7:53 pm
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I saw a pic of a van on the moparbvan site and it is also like mine. Just seemed like there should be something there. The sound is definitely coming from the steering column. But it has only ever done it on this one stretch of the freeway. I just don't use that stretch of the freeway anymore. I do need to find out what it is however. Thanks for the help all.


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