Under dash help..

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nodemon

nodemon

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72 Demon.. Trying to get things reassembled with dash, under dash steering column, etc.. I can't locate my "before" pictures or any clear "exploded views"... I don't want to install everything then find out I routed the wires wrong or skipped a step and have to tear it all back down.
I may be over thinking it, but would love advice from those that know. To start, I'll include a pic.. Is there a bushing or anything that goes at the red circled area ( hole ).. Second, if someone could tell me how to set the column plate that attaches to the firewall correctly. There's a lot of play before tightened. Then there's the plastic ("wire"??) cover that attaches to the column and the the metal bracket. A step by step instruction would be great, and with pictures, even better. Even if someone could take pics under their dash, it would be helpful and appreciated.
Thanks..!!

20240204_231446~2.jpg
 
nodemon said:
72 Demon.. Trying to get things reassembled with dash, under dash steering column, etc.. I can't locate my "before" pictures or any clear "exploded views"... I don't want to install everything then find out I routed the wires wrong or skipped a step and have to tear it all back down.
I may be over thinking it, but would love advice from those that know. To start, I'll include a pic.. Is there a bushing or anything that goes at the red circled area ( hole ).. Second, if someone could tell me how to set the column plate that attaches to the firewall correctly. There's a lot of play before tightened. Then there's the plastic ("wire"??) cover that attaches to the column and the the metal bracket. A step by step instruction would be great, and with pictures, even better. Even if someone could take pics under their dash, it would be helpful and appreciated.
Thanks..!!

View attachment 1716202516
Click to expand...


Here's what you need for the steering column support bracket.


1707146176034.png
 
3 holes at column support. The upper 2 have studs from dash down through plastic bushings. The 3rd lowest one gets a bolt up and into a caged or captured nut above a hole. I'm not sure that is the hole in your picture though.
One thing I do know... you don't want to cross thread the bolt that goes up into the captured nut. I'll never take the air ratchet under the column again.
As for the firewall plate, I never repainted one so I always had scars in it where the bolts came from.
Notice the 3 in the column support have lengthwise adjustment. That is about centering the guts of the box coupling in the box. How to details are in factory service manuals. Much more critical than where that firewall plate lands.
 
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You may find this interesting... For 74 thru 76 models the factory deleted that 3rd lower bolt.
1974 DODGE A Body Steering Column Mounting Bracket - Dart Duster Scamp Valiant | eBay
I have to wonder if the assembly line workers had the same problem I had with it.
I've noticed aftermarket columns such as ididit use only the upper 2 studs for their column mounting also. Alas, the caged nut without a bolt tightened in it could make a rattling noise. Carry on.
 
I've only stripped about a dozen A Bodies over the years but I have never seen anything in the "red circled area". Not sure if anything ever did go there but there's nothing in my '72 Duster.

The play in the column plate to firewall is there so you can line up the steering shaft to the steering box. Mount the column under the dash, connect the coupler to the steering box and set the column at the best straight shot from box to steering wheel. Once it's lined up tighten the three bolts on the plate (don't forget the gasket).

That plastic wire cover will still slip in place once the column is in. If it's troublesome it's easy enough to drop the plate shown in post #3 and mount it. And remember those insulators are designed to help collapse the column in an accident so don't do anything to interfere with that.
 
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