issues with steering column?

[bigdry]

hi in trying to replace my lower steering shaft with new version complete with new lower column bearing I seem to have disturbed my upper inner column in relation the outer column... i have no idea how i did this!

Now the lower splined part of the steering column inner shaft sits about 1" approx inside the outer column so i cannot put the bearing on let alone the lower shaft uj....

Is it possible that in my efforts to remove the lower shaft by sliding the upper column back on its mounts on the scuttle/firewall, that i have accidentally extended the column somehow? - there seems to be a nylon layer in between the two outer steel tubes - but they are not moving /sliding at all. Before i get the hammer out do they move in relation to each outer? - say in a crash in conjunction with the original nylon bolts holding the lower shaft together?

 

[CJim7]

Im not sure about the outer collar sliding like that, but I just ran into a situation much like yours over the weekend.....

I was installing a new lower shaft onto the upper shaft and it didn't want to go on the splines very easily so I started tapping the lower shaft with a hammer to "help it along". What I noticed was the upper shaft moving back up into the collar....enough that the recess on the splines was inaccessible....much like your pictures. Of course I panicked until I realized I was able to jam a screwdriver in one of the access holes of the collar and work the inner shaft back outwards. the inner shaft may be collapsible....I don't know, but it moved quite a bit.

Try gabbing the end of the splined shaft with something that wont damage the splines and pull outward. Or do as I did and jam a screwdriver in there and work it out.

FYI, you don't need to remove the upper shaft to get the lower shaft off. the bottom end of the lower shaft acts as a slipyoke and it will slide enough to separate the splined collar of the lower shaft from the splines of the upper shaft.

 

[hdgapeach]

If that's a GM column, I believe I know what your problem is. I had the same sort of issue when I rebuilt my column in my '68 Chevy C10. It boils down to something not being aligned right to allow it to go back in its original place. I finally printed out an exploded view of a GM column and had to follow the sequence just right. There was one piece that still had to have the right "angle to the dangle" to make the assembly go together to allow the shaft to protrude far enough out the end of the outter tube. UNFORTUNATELY, I can't remember what part was causing the issue except that the nylon bushing (if that's what it's called) was also involved.

I'll go through my files and try to dig up the exploded diagram and attach it to another reply post. It helped, even though I already had all the parts installed in the right order. I do remember having the feeling of, "Duh, that was obvious." when I finally got it back together right.

 

[hdgapeach]

Found the pic quicker than I thought I would!

Originally got it off a Google search. Try a search for a better quality pic that this one. There's a bunch to choose from.

Good Luck!