Dash, steering column problem - 63
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,888
Likes: 7
From: Olustee Florida
Dash, steering column problem - 63
For some reason, there is a gap between my instrument cluster and the steering column escutcheon. It is about 1 inch. Also, my steering wheel is too close to my seat bottom. I can barely get my leg under it. I don't remember this being the case years ago. I have always had the gap but not the clearance problem. Maybe I need to adjust the seat elevation.
Could I have th ewrong dash? How can I be sure I have a 63 dash?
Could I have th ewrong dash? How can I be sure I have a 63 dash?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From: Scranton Pennsylvania
I am have the same problem. My 63 has a 65 cluster. Over the winter,I re-wired the cluster and had the cluster and the steering column out several times. I now have a gap of about 1/2 inch and it wasn't there before I took everything out. I'm wondering if the steering shaft should go completly through the rag joint. Right now, my shaft goes to the upper portion of the rag joint. The car seem to drive and steer OK, but I don't seem to have the room that I had before and I give theat little. Maybe someone can post some pictures.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,888
Likes: 7
From: Olustee Florida
I am have the same problem. My 63 has a 65 cluster. Over the winter,I re-wired the cluster and had the cluster and the steering column out several times. I now have a gap of about 1/2 inch and it wasn't there before I took everything out. I'm wondering if the steering shaft should go completly through the rag joint. Right now, my shaft goes to the upper portion of the rag joint. The car seem to drive and steer OK, but I don't seem to have the room that I had before and I give theat little. Maybe someone can post some pictures.
I just pulled my steering column. The shaft does not go thru to the other steering coupling, past te upper rag joint.
We do have the same problem with the gap. I am all ears!
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
Also, my steering wheel is too close to my seat bottom. I can barely get my leg under it.
This is the bracket I'm referring to:
Could I have th ewrong dash? How can I be sure I have a 63 dash?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 997
Likes: 97
From: Captain Cook Hawaii
Look at the picture 62 Jeff posted of his 65 two piece column support bracket. Those are 64-66 pieces. 63 is different and individual pieces are not interchangeable. The 64-66 pieces will work ok. It sounds like you folks with the gap may have the lower piece reversed or some mismatched parts. Let us know.
brgds
rene
brgds
rene
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,888
Likes: 7
From: Olustee Florida
My 63 does have adjustment on the underdash mounting bracket that has about 1 inch in travel, which would definetly provide some adjustment to the angle of the steering column and thus, hopefully change the gap that I have. It appears to me that if you move the bracket forward, towards the engine, it will raise the column. I will try it when I replace. Thanks to all.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Jupiter FL
Is the gap fore/aft, or up down? If fore/aft, the trim ring on my 65 column slides forwards and backwards to allow you to eliminate that gap.
On my 65, the steering column up/down adjustment is controlled primarily by the angled metal bracket that supports the column under the dash structure. By sliding the bracket closer to the seat, the steering column rises up.
This is the bracket I'm referring to:
A 63 dash will have silver painted bezels around the instrument openings. If you have a 63 dash harness, but do not have any extra bulb holes in the back of your cluster, then your cluster is definitely 63 or 64 (starting in 65, 2 more bulbs were added to the dash backlighting configuration)
On my 65, the steering column up/down adjustment is controlled primarily by the angled metal bracket that supports the column under the dash structure. By sliding the bracket closer to the seat, the steering column rises up.
This is the bracket I'm referring to:
A 63 dash will have silver painted bezels around the instrument openings. If you have a 63 dash harness, but do not have any extra bulb holes in the back of your cluster, then your cluster is definitely 63 or 64 (starting in 65, 2 more bulbs were added to the dash backlighting configuration)
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 347
Likes: 1
From: Hattiesburg MS > Houston MS
Guys, I don't seem to have any up/down adjustment. The in/out of the column is a function of the depth of the shaft in the coupler/rag joint, I wanted my steering wheel in closer to the dash and positioned the shafts as deep as possible in the coupler results were not as expected: Knock from shafts hitting each other or something as front frame would flex up and down ever so slightly. Had to put a little more air space between the two. On my 63 the steering column eustachean is a fixed distance from the dash as a result of the two screws that mount it to the cluster. The upside down u-bolt and bracket are the only parts that I can see that have any kind of elongated holes.
Here are some pictures from my car.
Good Luck
Andy
Here are some pictures from my car.
Good Luck
Andy
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
In the 4th picture, that bracket that goes under the column looks very similar to the one on my 65. Since it holds the column up, and since the main bracket it bolts to is angled, moving the bottom bracket fore/aft on my 65 does move the column up/down.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 347
Likes: 1
From: Hattiesburg MS > Houston MS
[QUOTE=buns;1560813486]How can the column move up and down since it passes thru the escutcheon which is screwed to the bottom of the dash panel?
QUOTE]
BINGO!
I snugged up the column brackets under the dash AFTER tightening the eustachian to the cluster. The 63 eustachian is a little different than other years by having an isolator held in by a spring clip ( Notice those long holes on the side of the eustachian ) to keep the tube from contacting the eustachian. Supposedly there is also a small insulator that lines the upper part of the hole where the column goes thru the cluster.
Good Luck,
Andy
QUOTE]
BINGO!
I snugged up the column brackets under the dash AFTER tightening the eustachian to the cluster. The 63 eustachian is a little different than other years by having an isolator held in by a spring clip ( Notice those long holes on the side of the eustachian ) to keep the tube from contacting the eustachian. Supposedly there is also a small insulator that lines the upper part of the hole where the column goes thru the cluster.
Good Luck,
Andy
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
Adjusting the bracket raised the column which in turn took the pressure off of the escutcheon, allowing it to fit properly all around.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,888
Likes: 7
From: Olustee Florida
I remember hearing this. I do not believe that you can buy one of those filler bezels. I bet a NOS filler bezel would go for $$$$$ thousands!
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 347
Likes: 1
From: Hattiesburg MS > Houston MS
Thanks for noticing and the heads-up, if you could see the car I'm SURE you could find some other things that need attention. You sound a little like my wife and HER todo list!
Thanks,
Andy
OOps, I thought you were talking about the steering gear box. The coupler is really pretty sound. I thought I was going to destroy it when I took out the steering column but the flex material has more life in it. I'm really more concerned about the other end of the car with the spring attachment to the trailing arms.
Andy
Last edited by AColbe01; Jun 25, 2007 at 01:04 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,142
Likes: 704
AColbe01............since kenEDMUNDS started trashing your car, I will go next. In the picture you posted holding the key against the lower column, I can see that your steering mast jacket is rotated about 20 degrees to the left. The dimple in the retainer should rest in the groove on the mast jacket. It's not a safety issue, but it's going to mess up the geometry of your turn signal switch.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,888
Likes: 7
From: Olustee Florida
