Steering shaft too short

[1MeanA]

I'm trying to reassemble my '70 Dart and everything seems to be a problem. Today I installed the steering column only to see that the shaft is about 2" too short as the coupling doesn't get close to the steering box shaft (I pulled the coupling down).... . This is the same column, coupler and steering box that came out of it (floor shift/ps). I rebuilt the column. Is there anything I could have done wrong during reassembly that could cause this other than accidentally collapsing the shaft? The only axial adjustment I see is the plastic sliders. The shaft doesn't have axial slop in it. It does look like the column should be closer to the firewall. I'll go back to the garage and check a few more things and yank it out.

 

[ch1ll]

IDid you take pictures before you took it apart? Did you convert it from power steering to manual?

 

[1MeanA]

Nope to both

 

[abdywgn]

maybe it was dropped and collapsed the shaft?

 

[1MeanA]

maybe it was dropped and collapsed the shaft?

I didn't drop it but maybe I pushed too hard during reassembly? I dunno.

I was thinking that a collapsed shaft is the only possible cause. I don't think you can assemble the column wrong to cause this issue although I the floor plate could slide another 1/2" up the column.

I took the column out and pulled the shaft out. A couple of the little plastic plugs fell off the shaft and I don't see through holes. Its very difficult due to a heavy grease but I was able to pull the shafts apart a few inches although I haven't located the through holes yet. The only reference measurement I could find is that the shaft should be 36 3/8". Its about 35" now although that's not very accurate as the coupler is still on (34" to coupler face). It looks like this is the problem. I'll put it back together tomorrow and see.

 

[cudamark]

Yeah, you probably broke the plastic shear pins. Not a big deal. Just pull the inner shaft back out where it belongs and call it good.

 

[townsend]

Measure the length of the upper shaft.
What length do you have from where the upper shaft enters the lower shaft to the steering wheel end.
Should be between 16 3/8 to 16 1/2.

 

[1MeanA]

Measure the length of the upper shaft.
What length do you have from where the upper shaft enters the lower shaft to the steering wheel end.
Should be between 16 3/8 to 16 1/2.

After pulling the shafts apart a long way its now about 16 1/2".

 

[doug 371]

Pull on it and find out