rattle insteering column

[cappy]

My 65 has a rattle noise in the steering column. I can make it lessen by pulling the shift lever base towards me.
Plus it rattles when I go over a bump.

Any ideas?

 

[sseebart]

If I had to guess, I'd suspect the top bearing and/or the bottom bushing have disintegrated or gone missing. If so, the shift tube could be rattling against the column. Does the shifter hold the car firmly in gear?

~Steve

 

[cappy]

Yes it stays in gear ok,, it could be a bit firmer in my opinion.
If I grab the base of the shifter that's a molded part of the collar I can make it stop rattling, but I Just cant hold it forever...

 

[sseebart]

The only way to know for sure--and to get it fixed--is to start disassembling the column. The shop manual will help you through the process. Here's my notes on the process: Steering Column & Shifter – Taking Flight Again

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

~Steve

 

[Yadkin]

It sounds like the rubber bushing that cushions the shift lever on the outer collar is worn. Also, if the lever is sloppy when shifting, the lower end is probably worn as well. The entire lever is relatively soft aluminum and acts on the hard steel detent cam to position it at P-N-D-D2-R.

Good news is that good reproductions are readily available.

 

[Terry64HT]

The shift lever base holds the upper column hub using two little bolts with weird shaped heads. They go into little slots and then the nuts hold the hub tight to the shifter base. It sounds like one of them is out of place and lying in the base. They are miserable things to install. You need to disassemble down to the lever base. They make the shift lever base and upper column hub one piece so that everything is held secure.
At least, that's my recollection of the setup. I'd wait for a second opinion before tearing everything apart though.
I don't recall that the rubber bushing does a lot as far as keeping things from rattling. It seems to be mostly cosmetic since the pin through the lever holds everything in place.
Hope this is some help
Terry
64HT