Coupler pin removal

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rkjjeep

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This afternoon I am going to start to take things apart so tht I can replace the lower column (engine compartment side) seal. No seal allows tons of hot air to travel up the column jacket into the car.
The 65 service manual (for my 65 barracuda) shows a pinch bolt on the coupler at the steering gear input. My coupler has no bolt. I can see a recessed (cupped) hole in the coupler at the gear end. Which way does the pin drive out? I have done a long search and seen conflicting info. Also can anyone identify the right size punch or tool to drive it out. Thank you.
 
This afternoon I am going to start to take things apart so tht I can replace the lower column (engine compartment side) seal. No seal allows tons of hot air to travel up the column jacket into the car.
The 65 service manual (for my 65 barracuda) shows a pinch bolt on the coupler at the steering gear input. My coupler has no bolt. I can see a recessed (cupped) hole in the coupler at the gear end. Which way does the pin drive out? I have done a long search and seen conflicting info. Also can anyone identify the right size punch or tool to drive it out. Thank you.

The punch you need is a 5/16. I know it only comes out 1 way and if memory serves me, you want drive it out from the side the punch actually fits into on the coupler.
 
I never did get the damn thing out. I must have been pounding it from the wrong side. I pulled the column and slid the shaft out. That worked slick
 
One side of the hole for the pin should have a chamfer, that is the side it is installed from, I would think to drive it out from the other side.... The chamfer is to help align it to the hole as you install it...
 
Mine was a pita!! It took about 3 punches (I kept breaking them) kroil, heat and a big effing hammer!!
 
I was able to get the roll pin out pretty easily. You just want to be sure the punch is the size of the outside of the pin so the pin doesn't expand. To get the steering shaft to shoes pin I pulled the entire column and used a press to remove and install the new one. Dang thing is in there!!!

Coupler.JPG
 
I was able to get the roll pin out pretty easily. You just want to be sure the punch is the size of the outside of the pin so the pin doesn't expand. To get the steering shaft to shoes pin I pulled the entire column and used a press to remove and install the new one. Dang thing is in there!!!

View attachment 1715379822
Ya, the coupler roll pin is a piece of cake. The shoe pin is another thing.
 
I used a punch that had a half ball on the end to drive it out. Did remember I had to polish the OD of the punch, it got stuck the first try.
 
That lower column seal requires a lot of work to replace. Most I see are rotted out with the nylon center piece just hanging there.
 
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That lower column seal requires a lot of work to replace. Most I see are rotted out with the nylon center piece just handing there.
And boy does it blow a lot of hot air up the column onto your legs. LOL
 
Exactly. No reason to replace it just because it comes in the kit.
OK I'd love to! How do I do that? My car is a floor shift automatic. I'd like to be able to pull the shaft, replace the engine compartment round seal, and rebuild and reinstall the coupling. Thank you!!
 
On my 66 Barracuda there was no way to replace the lower column seal without removing the shaft pin because the new seal would not go over the pin.

I bought the repair kit and seal from DMT Detroit muscle technologies.
 
Ya, the coupler roll pin is a piece of cake. The shoe pin is another thing.
The roll pin is the one I had so much trouble out of!! I havent even attempted the shoe pin yet! Dang I may be in trouble haha! I will get it one way or another!
 
Cuda Al did an awesome How-to on the steering coupler.

Steering Coupler Rebuild "How To"

The steering column should have a bracket with two bolts underneath the dash and two wiring plugs. On the bottom end the roll pin will release the shaft from the steering gearbox. You will also probably have a plate at the firewall with bolts that come out from the under dash side of the firewall. Then just pull the entire steering column out. I didn't even pull my steering wheel off!! I also bought the "cage" bracket for extra protection against that darn clip from coming off, but probably overkill. While I had the column out I replaced the seal on the gear and also sanded and painted the column.

IMG_20190403_191941731.jpg


IMG_20190331_180711834.jpg
 
Ya, the coupler roll pin is a piece of cake. The shoe pin is another thing.
I don’t know about piece of cake. But with the right punch and a few good whacks, the roll pin should be doable. Hit the other one a few times and did not budge. Looked ok, so it stayed.
 
Yeah, that shaft pin is in there. I used my 6 ton harbor freight press and it took everything that little press had to get it out. Here's a picture of the lower shaft seal in place

IMG_20190816_173408.jpg
 
The roll pin is the one I had so much trouble out of!! I havent even attempted the shoe pin yet! Dang I may be in trouble haha! I will get it one way or another!
Don't bother with the shoe pin. I hammered on it and it didn't budge. I even tried a air hammer. No dice. Like I said before, I just pulled the column and pulled the steering shaft out the bottom. I replaced the seal and re assembled. I also greased the bearings while the shaft was out. Perfect!
 
Let me add. This past winter I did my entire suspension. New leaf springs, torsion bars, new lower and upper control arm and strut rod bushings, and new front brake rotors and pads. Then an alignment.

Rebuilding the steering coupler was the last thing I did and it made MORE difference in the driving feel than all the other changes. It was probably never rebuilt.
 
OK, without a complete step by step, how does the shaft come out the bottom after I get the column out? Thanks
 
Don't bother with the shoe pin. I hammered on it and it didn't budge. I even tried a air hammer. No dice. Like I said before, I just pulled the column and pulled the steering shaft out the bottom. I replaced the seal and re assembled. I also greased the bearings while the shaft was out. Perfect!
The only problem with that is I'm using this style coupler I'm doing a power to manual conversion so I have to take the shaft out some to make it longer but that pin has to come out to put on the new coupler.

Screenshot_20190324-042807_eBay.jpg
 
Only way I have removed the shoe pin is on a bench with bfh and a flat punch. Obviously a press would do it also when the column is out. Wonder if this would work in the car?
51H9i5VYZoL._SX355_.jpg
 
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