76 Steering COlumn problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Forty Fort PA
76 Steering COlumn problem
I bought a 76 from my father who started to take apart the steering column to fix "slop in the wheel". He got stuck when he couldnt get it apart. So I got the column and a box of unlabled parts.
Thanks Jim Shea's articles I was able to take it apart and figure out that there were two loose screws and two missing on the lower shaft housing. I bought the parts I needed and started assembling the lower part of the column. The lower bearing was badly rusted so I replaced it.
Here is the problem:
The lower steering shaft does not extend out of the mast jacket far enough. It needs about 2 additional inches.
I tapped the lower steering shaft out of the lower bearing. I know that this shaft is suppose to collapse in an accident. I was wondering if I partially collasped the shaft when I was removing it. Can it be fixed or does it need to be replaced.
The lower shaft housing appears to be in the mast jacket far enough.
This is the length of the lower steering shaft:
Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks Jim Shea's articles I was able to take it apart and figure out that there were two loose screws and two missing on the lower shaft housing. I bought the parts I needed and started assembling the lower part of the column. The lower bearing was badly rusted so I replaced it.
Here is the problem:
The lower steering shaft does not extend out of the mast jacket far enough. It needs about 2 additional inches.
I tapped the lower steering shaft out of the lower bearing. I know that this shaft is suppose to collapse in an accident. I was wondering if I partially collasped the shaft when I was removing it. Can it be fixed or does it need to be replaced.
The lower shaft housing appears to be in the mast jacket far enough.
This is the length of the lower steering shaft:
Anyone have any ideas?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Your lower shaft appears to measure 28 1/4 inches from the splined lower end to the centerline of the upper yoke. It should measure 31 inches.
The lower shaft should stick out of the lower column bearing and measure 4.70 inches.
You can pull the lower shaft out from the upper shaft to obtain the 31 inch overall shaft length. The steering shaft will steer your car very adequately and safely. The absolute worst thing that can happen is a slight amount of looseness or lash were the two shafts come together.
Jim
The lower shaft should stick out of the lower column bearing and measure 4.70 inches.
You can pull the lower shaft out from the upper shaft to obtain the 31 inch overall shaft length. The steering shaft will steer your car very adequately and safely. The absolute worst thing that can happen is a slight amount of looseness or lash were the two shafts come together.
Jim
