funny story about steering column coupler, please help!!
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
funny story about steering column coupler, please help!!
I am helping my buddy restore a 72 454 4 speed, the vehicle is in good shape, we started to take it apart for restoration a couple of months ago but the project got delayed because he decided to get married...
well we started to put it back together the other day to get it ready to be moved and the steering column coupler was about 2 to 3 inches apart from lower coupler, we lined up the marks from the previous setting and the distance had dumbfounded us. any help would me greatly appreciated.
thanks
LD
well we started to put it back together the other day to get it ready to be moved and the steering column coupler was about 2 to 3 inches apart from lower coupler, we lined up the marks from the previous setting and the distance had dumbfounded us. any help would me greatly appreciated.
thanks
LD
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,301
Likes: 4,389
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi LD,
The shaft has shrunk since it was disconnected!
Seriously, it sounds like the safety collapse section in the column has collapsed. Has the column been standing on it's end? Did someone push on the steering wheel while it was in that position... that would do it. You can pull it back out.
Regards,
Alan
The shaft has shrunk since it was disconnected!
Seriously, it sounds like the safety collapse section in the column has collapsed. Has the column been standing on it's end? Did someone push on the steering wheel while it was in that position... that would do it. You can pull it back out.
Regards,
Alan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
I assume that you have a standard (non-adjustable) steering column because most 1972's had standard columns.
The lower steering shaft should be sticking out of the lower bearing and it should measure 4.5 inches
Just in case that you might have a T&T the shaft length should be 4.7 inches.
Try to get the shaft back out with a steady pull. Don't hammer on the lower flange and shaft, that would be hard on the ball bearings that support the steering shaft.
Jim
The lower steering shaft should be sticking out of the lower bearing and it should measure 4.5 inches
Just in case that you might have a T&T the shaft length should be 4.7 inches.
Try to get the shaft back out with a steady pull. Don't hammer on the lower flange and shaft, that would be hard on the ball bearings that support the steering shaft.
Jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
Also, don't loosen all the bolts so it's free, not be able to pull the shaft pinch coupler off, get mad while sitting in the drivers seat and pull back on it repeatedly, smacking it against the firewall, re-extending it, and causing the pinch coupler to fall off, with a 'ting', onto the ground. 
