steering column power steering difference

[senoia]

What is the difference between a power steering and a manual steering column ? Is it the coupler on the end that connects to the steering box?
Is a 70 challenger and a 70 cuda the same column?
I've seen some columns with a solid tube and a few with a mesh a the bottom of the tube.
Thank you

 

[moparleo]

I have seen the mesh type on older B-bodies.

 

[challenger6pak]

The manual column has a longer steering shaft with a different spline diameter coupler. The shafts can be exchanged between the power and the manual column. It takes a complete tear down to do so. If you have a power column and want to use it with a manual box an aftermarket adapter is made to do this. If you have a manual column and want to use it with a power box, you need the shorter shaft. It will be easier to get a power steering column. Cuda and Challenger columns are interchangable. The mesh is a B body column. It absorbs impact in an accident the same way the ribbed crush collar does on the Ebody column.