Steering column issues

[harrytoes]

So I was pulling out of a driveway and all of the sudden my steering wheel pulled back towards me and I had no steering. Popped open the hood and the shaft had pulled away from the knuckle. The two metal blocks and the clip had fallen off as well.

For the life of me, I couldn't get the shaft to go back to the correct length. It was like 2 inches short of going back in the knuckle.

I've taken everything apart and still can't resolve the issue. I did notice the shaft comes in two pieces. Is it possible it slid inside more?

This is a completely stock car. Original steering column and all.

 

[remytherat]

Is it possible it slid inside more?

Most likely what happened. See if you can pull them apart and get them back to the right total length.

 

[1MeanA]

There would have to be a few assembly errors for the shaft to pull out of the coupling. The shaft likely collapsed trying to push it back in.

 

[harrytoes]

There would have to be a few assembly errors for the shaft to pull out of the coupling. The shaft likely collapsed trying to push it back in.

Those assembly errors are probably mine. Messed with the column a few months ago

 

[harrytoes]

There would have to be a few assembly errors for the shaft to pull out of the coupling. The shaft likely collapsed trying to push it back in.

Is the collapsed shaft fixable? Or does it need to be replaced?

 

[1MeanA]

Those assembly errors are probably mine. Messed with the column a few months ago

There should be a pin in the coupler body that prevents the slider shoes from coming out. I think the bearing snap ring prevents it from pulling out too… not sure. You can pull the shafts apart to obtain the correct length. I’m not sure what the measurement is.

 

[Dana67Dart]

I made a post about power vs manual steering shafts

Manual vs Power Steering Shafts

Yours

Correct

I have warned people about this I'm glad you were not hurt.

 

[Dana67Dart]

and all of the sudden my steering wheel pulled back towards me

Did the wheel pull away from the collar on the column

 

[harrytoes]

I made a post about power vs manual steering shafts

Manual vs Power Steering Shafts

Yours
View attachment 1716440533


Correct
View attachment 1716440534

I have warned people about this I'm glad you were not hurt.

So would those two holes suggest that mine is a manual shaft?

 

[harrytoes]

Did the wheel pull away from the collar on the column

So I think these somehow didn't attach right and the whole thing pulled from the knuckle

 

[townsend]

What is the length of the upper shaft.
Measure from steering wheel end to where it enters lower shaft.

 

[harrisonm]

I am GLAD it didn't happen while you were driving down the street or on a highway.

 

[Dana67Dart]

So would those two holes suggest that mine is a manual shaft

No the holes are on all steering shafts. but the holes should have plastic in them. The lack of the plastic indicates the shaft has been collapsed at one time.

They are hard to see in this photo but they are there on both shafts

another tidbit...
The dash mounts and the floor mount have adjustability to allow the column to be positioned so the joint can be placed where it is supposed to be

Looking at the photo of your shaft it appears to be a power steering shaft. Note the coupler end is very short as compared to a manual shaft. If you have a manual gear box that might explain why the plastic is missing at the slip portion of the shaft

Something that looks odd also is the gap (or lack there of) between the coupler and the gear.

What year is your car?
Manual or power steering?
Column shift?
Manual or automatic transmission?

 

[1MeanA]

Do you have a dowel pin hole in the body?

 

[harrytoes]

It's a 68 fastback Barracuda with power steering. Automatic with the shifter down on the console.

 

[harrytoes]

No the holes are on all steering shafts. but the holes should have plastic in them. The lack of the plastic indicates the shaft has been collapsed at one time.

They are hard to see in this photo but they are there on both shafts


View attachment 1716440657

View attachment 1716440672

another tidbit...
The dash mounts and the floor mount have adjustability to allow the column to be positioned so the joint can be placed where it is supposed to be


View attachment 1716440673






Looking at the photo of your shaft it appears to be a power steering shaft. Note the coupler end is very short as compared to a manual shaft. If you have a manual gear box that might explain why the plastic is missing at the slip portion of the shaft
View attachment 1716440669View attachment 1716440670


Something that looks odd also is the gap (or lack there of) between the coupler and the gear.

View attachment 1716440658

What year is your car?
Manual or power steering?
Column shift?
Manual or automatic transmission?

Yes there was no spacing between the couple and the gear box not sure ithe knuckle moved or what. I removed the roll pin and knuckle when disassembling everything thing

 

[Hyper_pak]

Good luck fixing it.
I am working on a 76 Column now.
The steering shaft needs the plastic pins as discussed.
And I had never run into a coupler with the little pin.
I had to sand the coupler to find the little pin.
FSM says drive it in and I fished it out of the grease to reuse.

 

[harrytoes]

So the shaft was compressed. I can slide the two pieces a few inches. I probably did myself on my previous install. What can I do? Is the shaft fixable? Can I use something for where the plastic was in the two holes?

 

[Dana67Dart]

So the shaft was compressed. I can slide the two pieces a few inches. I probably did myself on my previous install. What can I do? Is the shaft fixable? Can I use something for where the plastic was in the two holes

I have heard of people pulling it to length and putting epoxy in the holes.

I have heard of people drilling and taping the outer part and using a couple set screws

You could buy a new ( I think they are made) or good used replacement

 

[mopowers]

So the shaft was compressed. I can slide the two pieces a few inches. I probably did myself on my previous install. What can I do? Is the shaft fixable? Can I use something for where the plastic was in the two holes?

Pull it out to the appropriate length and pin it with a couple nylon screws from the hardware store.

 

[townsend]

Factory length of the entire shaft is determined by how far the upper shaft is inserted into the lower shaft.
Measuring from steering wheel end of shaft to where it enters the lower shaft should be 16 3/8 inches.

 

[RedFish]

So I think these somehow didn't attach right and the whole thing pulled from the knuckle

View attachment 1716440540

Those 2 fasteners are tricky. Their heads are offset. Turn the long side to bell notch. Loosely placed in bell so they angle their way into position, then tighten.