loose steering/steering rag coupler

[GL03]

has anyone replaced rag steering coupler on there 1963 BUICK SKYLARK, with power steering. The one on my vehicle has one 10mm and 7mm safety pins, and has a ground as well.

Lares offers part #201, but both safety pins are about 9.52mm,specifys for power steering.
Lares part# 202 , different size safety pins, one smaller than other, manual steering.

Borgenson 941 repair kit, don't know if it will work.

Does anyone know why some couplers have different size safety pins, while others have them both same size?

mndzblue@yahoo.com

[lentzjj]

A 63 with metric? IDK but it dont sound right

[GL03]

1963, it's not metric, it's just easier with micrometer to measure. Or else there is alot of conversion.

[WildKitty]

don't use a micrometer - try a measuring tape

[GL03]

Concern: excess steering looseness, constant steering wonder
Cause: steering rag disks excess movement in rivet holes, permanent rivets have no retightening
Correction: ground out rivets, installed nuts and bolts in place of rivets, replaced rag disks

DIY: New Borgenson 941 steering coupler rag repair kit, on 1963 Buick SKylark with power steering

Note:Coupler has only 10 splines on one side. The part that has a flat is the part that drives the steering. So align flat on steering box with flat in coupler.



Matchmark multiple locations, take digital camera pictures before dissassembly.
Align steering coupler bolt to point upward, for easy access. observe steering wheel alignment.
Remove:
2 x 1/2 in. bolts , hold column up to dash
5 x 5/16 in. bolts at inside firewall at base of column.
Disconnect wire connections
shifter arm washer, bushing(don't loose),cotter pin( install new one),at engine area
last remove 12 point 1/2 in. coupler bolt.
When removing and installing steering column, have someone help you.
you can install or remove column by aiming it towards your left, this will help you clear lower shift arm/lever

IMPORTANT: Avoid from moving shifter on column, when column is out of car, or it may lock up. If it locks up, you need to remove upper part of column apart, including steering wheel, turn signal mechanism,only
Loosen up in center of column three screws, do not remove them. Slide upper part , where shifter is,down about 1 in. Loosen up in center of column three screws, do not remove them
There is a screw on the side that loosens up, retorque it. Try to get column shifter to rotate

Back to repair:
look at coupler pins and position, take a picture, or diagram. I flipped column upside down on cardboard, for access to grind rivets.
remove rivets
repair your ground at coupler, refit
Inspect coupler splines for wear, out of round, or flat, if okay install coupler.

If coupler splines are no good, then disk repair kit will not completely resolve looseness. Remember on 1963 Buick Skylark, with power steering, there are only 10 splines, and a flat.
You need new coupler with good splines.
clean any rust, apply rust convertor, use heatgun or hair blow dryer to accelerate paint to dry
Install rag coupler repair kit.
Refit column,
there is a cut out at coupler, do not damage threads
wire brush splines and threads, this will help on assembly
use a box or have someone/friend/wife hold column up while you slide in coupler to steering box
Use WD-40, grease, anti-seize on threads,and splines
Install shifter washer, bushing, cotter pin,

Testdrivecheck all steering nuts and bolts. Have your helper watch you drive away, and watch you return.
Invite your helper to cold root beer float

This procedure has no technical foundation, follow at your own discretion.