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67 was the first year for a collapsible column, it probably is pushed inward. Once correctly installed the rag should be flat, no "S" bend in it. If it has an "S" bend in it the rag is being stretched to compensate for a collapsed column.
The new rags sold 15 years ago were better than what is sold today.
Where's the rest of your rag joint hardware? Try backing the camera up so we can see a picture of the entire set up. Look at the pictures posted 14 years ago in this thread of what it should look like, not the bubba one.
Thanks for the reply 65GGvert, you are correct, I don't have all of the rag joint hardware installed because the gap is too large. I am currently trying to figure out if there is a way to eliminate this gap? I will provide a more zoomed out photo out photo of this setup. Thank you
I'll try to help, but it has been 40 years since I played with the collapsible shaft. There is a round shaft with the sides milled flat which holds the rag joint fitting. This shaft slides inside a shaft tube (#20) upon frontal impact to allow the shaft assembly to collapse a few inches. If you have a Chevrolet Chassis Service Manual, section 9 provides pictures and instructions for assembly and installing a rag joint (steering coupler). The General will provide the best advice in his book. What I cannot recall and confirm is there was plastic injected in a couple of holes thru the shaft tube to hold the two pieces together. If that plastic has sheared, it will allow the shaft to move up into the shaft tube. I would try prying on the shaft to extend it out.
Please consult the General's book as my memory is faint on this. Chevy Chassis Service Manual Section 9
This picture is from the 68 manual, I couldn't find it in my 67 manual. I don't see the plastic injection holes in this tube, they may be a figment of my imagination or memory.
Ron
