Steering Column Removal Without Removing Steering Wheel? (1971 Challenger)

[h0wb0y]

So I have been digging around for quite a while - and have not been able to find any definitive yes or no answer...

I am trying to figure out whether or not I have to remove the steering wheel in order to remove the steering column.

The entire car is in the process of being stripped down to bare metal. I have everything other than the pedals and steering column/steering column bracket out. The wiring harness has been chewed completely into worthlessness by animals due to sitting in a field for 20 someodd years (so I have no real concern with any of the horn/turn/ignition wiring).

I plan on rebuilding the column here in a month or two when it gets too cold to primer, but, right now, while I still have warm weather, I am trying to get everything stripped down as fast as possible without damaging anything.

Pulling the steering wheel is obviously not that big of deal if I need to, I just don't have the puller and I live about an hour away from anywhere I can go pick one up - I live out in the country.

I feel a little odd asking a question like this, but this is my first time ever messing with anything in the steering setup and I want to make as few costly mistakes as possible.

(Yes - this is my first post - but I have been stalking around this forum and the A bodies forum for quite a few years now)

Thanks all.

 

[RUNCHARGER]

Absolutely okay to pull it with the wheel on, as long as the seat is out as I don't think it will clear with the seat in. Also you don't need a wheel puller, it is held onto the steering wheel can by 3 nuts. You will need a puller to pull the can off the column.

Sheldon

 

[h0wb0y]

Excellent! Thank you very much. Anything I should watch out for when I am separating from the steering box? Or any special tools?

 

[moparlee]

Just need a hammer and punch to remove the roll pin from the coupler. Then just tap the coupler off the steering box shaft. The shaft is splined and goes on only one way when you re-install the coupler. Get yourself a rebuild kit for the coupler while your at it.

 

[h0wb0y]

I found out there was a roll pin the hard way because I was too covered in grease to check my phone to see if there were any replies on here. I should have just cleaned up and checked my phone - would have saved me a lot of time! I removed the crown cap retainer (not sure what it is technically called), gave the column a few taps towards the rear of the car from the inside and thought I was home free. Not quite - but I could not figure out what in the world was hanging me up because of all the grease caked on around the coupler. I cleaned it all off and still couldn't figure it out. Then I turned the coupler and finally saw the little roll pin sitting flush with the surface. Unpacked some grease from inside the coupler and verified that was a pin and it is what is holding me up. I even took some pictures so I could ask about it - but now I will just throw them up on here in case anyone else ever reads this and the pictures would help them see what it all looks like.

My last question in this chain (hopefully) is this:
Do I need to tap that pin out from the inside of the coupler out? Outside of the coupler in? Or does it not matter either way. I have a feeling I am way overthinking this - but I definitely do not want to waller out that hole if I go the wrong way.

Thanks again - you guys rock.

 

[aussiemark]

Absolutely okay to pull it with the wheel on, as long as the seat is out as I don't think it will clear with the seat in. Also you don't need a wheel puller, it is held onto the steering wheel can by 3 nuts. You will need a puller to pull the can off the column.

Sheldon

I agree totally doable I have my Barracuda column in the shed with the crush can still attached.

 

[Coupe]

I tapped mine through from the outside. l didn't have any trouble replacing it the same way. It still fit tight.

 

[moparlee]

There are 2 roll pins in that coupler. You found the small one for getting the guts of it out, and yes just tap it out from the outside of the coupler in. The roll pin which I talked about in the previous reply is the larger one about 1/4" which holds the coupler to the steering gear shaft. That's one I thought you were asking about. Remove some more grease and you will see it.

 

[h0wb0y]

Thanks everyone - I will get back at it today and let everyone know the results.

 

[h0wb0y]

I had it out within 2 minutes of going out to work on it yesterday thanks to all of you.