Mopar steering column coupler internals - no need to replace

17th Mar 2021

Mopar discontinued the coupler rebuild kit, part# 04443436AC fall of 2020. I was investigating reproducing the coupler internals. I had to purchase some VERY expensive micrometers to accurately measure 40 new Mopar rebuild kits I still had in stock to determine the tolerances I was working with. But after disassembling about a dozen columns from 63 to 73 I found that all the internals were within the tolerance of the new Mopar parts (all within .0006"). There was absolutely no reason to replace the internals unless you dropped one and couldn't find it. From what I've learned I'd personally, clean, repack with grease and put a new seal and cap on.

Note: The Dorman coupler rebuild kits are TERRIBLE. The pin fits LOOSELY in the shoes, about .010" of slop. 20X worse than any of the 50 year old columns I disassembled. The stamped spring that pushes the shoes apart doesnt even fit the shoes in the kit correctly. THEY MAKE ALL THESE PARTS. Doesn't anyone get paid to actually do any quality control? I'd be pissed if I purchased this.