Mopar Steering Column Breakaway Capsule (1967 - 1972)

thingiverse

NOTE: There are 2 included files, one is just the capsule itself, and the other contains a thin removable support structure in the center to (hopefully) produce a cleaner print. This is a "breakaway capsule" used in various Chrysler vehicle steering columns from (As far as I can tell, information is hard to come across on these) 1967 until 1972. They may work on other models, but I cannot confirm this. I HAVE confirmed that they work on my 1968 Plymouth Satellite though. These were a safety component added with the telescoping steering columns, and are intended to hold the steering column in place, but are designed to shatter if an impact causes the driver to hit the steering wheel, allowing the column to move out of the way and absorb some of the impact of the crash. On the parts breakdown image, these are installed on the part called the "Clamp" in the top left box. There are a total of 3 used, and they slide into rails or channels in the part. As these cars and their parts get older, the plastic capsules get brittle and begin to break apart on their own. This is not good, as these are a safety item on older cars that are already considered unsafe by modern standards. These printed parts should work just fine, printed either in plastic or resin since their entire job IS to break under a heavy impact. After taking my column out a couple of times for various work, all of mine broke to the point of unusability, but I was not comfortable just welding some permanent tab in place, since that would make the car far less safe in a crash. I was also unable to find any new old stock parts available for purchase anymore online, and at the time I designed this part I couldn't find any new ones either. It would appear that Year One sells a hardware kit that may come with replacements, but their part description is lacking, and the kit is a bit pricey. Considering this is a simple to produce part that is also a safety item and hard to find, I have made it publicly available for anyone who needs one to print. If you have any comments or questions, post them.