collapsing steering shaft in engine bay???
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 1
collapsing steering shaft in engine bay???
Does anyone know how to get the steering shaft in the engine bay to collapse up into the column? I tried pounding on it a bit, but it didn't seem to want to go. Is there trick I am missing? I don't want to pound on it to hard because it will mushroom the end of the shaft. It's supposed to be a collapsable column, so what gives?
Thanks
Chris
Thanks
Chris
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 4,078
Likes: 27
From: Northeast South Dakota
Re: collapsing steering shaft in engine bay??? (71roadster)
I don't know if the 71 and 81' are the same or not, but on my 81' if I remove a clip from the bottom of the shaft, right where it goes through the firewall, I can pull a plastic piece down the shaft, then slide the shaft right up into the column. Jim Shea says that this is not supposed to be the way this works, but it does work good on mine. I don't konw if it's something broken, or what, but it works.
-Justin
-Justin
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Connecticut
Re: collapsing steering shaft in engine bay??? (71roadster)
You have to pound on it real hard, or heat the plastic parts that hold the two parts together. It is only meant to collapse in an accident.
BTW, why do you want to do that anyway? Once you collapse them they are ruined. The plastic parts are one-use items.
Joe
BTW, why do you want to do that anyway? Once you collapse them they are ruined. The plastic parts are one-use items.
Joe
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: collapsing steering shaft in engine bay??? (joe73vette)
Your steering shaft should stick out 4.00 inches from the column lower bearing. The hollow lower shaft mates with the solid upper shaft and they are formed into what was called a "TV" section (very old television screens were flat on the top and bottom and had round sides). That is exactly the shape of the hollow lower tube and the solid upper tube. They are formed to very close tolerances so they will slide easily the one inside the other. Even though they mate very securely, Saginaw also injects melted plastic into the section where they overlap to eliminate any possibility of a rattle when you are driving. The plastic injection also "locks" the lower shaft at that 4 inch dimension that I mentioned first.
The steering gear and flexible coupling prevent the steering shaft from migrating any distance (up toward the column or down toward the geard) even if the plastic is sheared. The overlap of the TV sections of the two shafts also insure that you always have steering integrity.
So it is not good to break the plastic injection:smash:, but the worst that can happen is that you may develop a rattle and a small amount of on-center lash that you might feel in the steering wheel.
The steering gear and flexible coupling prevent the steering shaft from migrating any distance (up toward the column or down toward the geard) even if the plastic is sheared. The overlap of the TV sections of the two shafts also insure that you always have steering integrity.
So it is not good to break the plastic injection:smash:, but the worst that can happen is that you may develop a rattle and a small amount of on-center lash that you might feel in the steering wheel.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: collapsing steering shaft in engine bay??? (71roadster)
The steering shaft is smooth in the area of the lower bearing. I don't see any clip that would have to be removed regardless if you have a standard (non-adjustable) column or a T&T. So just :smash: if you want to.
But frankly, if you really must shorten the steering shaft, I would set the column on the floor straight up and apply an increasing load to make the steering shaft compress into the column.
But frankly, if you really must shorten the steering shaft, I would set the column on the floor straight up and apply an increasing load to make the steering shaft compress into the column.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 8
From: San Jose California
Re: collapsing steering shaft in engine bay??? (71roadster)
Chris,
Sounds like you are beating me to the steering box change over. I like Jim's press idea too, it has been my hope that my 20 ton hydraulic press will do the job. I'd hate to think I might need a stronger one ;)
Chuck
Sounds like you are beating me to the steering box change over. I like Jim's press idea too, it has been my hope that my 20 ton hydraulic press will do the job. I'd hate to think I might need a stronger one ;)
Chuck
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: collapsing steering shaft in engine bay??? (Jim Shea)
Asl I recall, I just wedged some wood blocks and used a long assed pry bar on my column....worked fine, no troubles... I don't have any looseness or ratteling in either the original location before I did the changeover, or in the collapsed position now with the new r/p steering....
GENE
GENE
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 1
Re: collapsing steering shaft in engine bay??? (Chuck Harmon)
Yeah Chuck,
I'm winging it here. Do the instructions that came with your kit say anything about collapsing the steering column? And do the say anything about clearance with the frame at the front of your box? Does the box look at all modified (filed or anything) at the front-bottom to aid the clearance? Also, are there any markings on your pitman arm? That is the one link I haven't figured out yet. Got any idea what it came out of?
Thanks
Chris
I'm winging it here. Do the instructions that came with your kit say anything about collapsing the steering column? And do the say anything about clearance with the frame at the front of your box? Does the box look at all modified (filed or anything) at the front-bottom to aid the clearance? Also, are there any markings on your pitman arm? That is the one link I haven't figured out yet. Got any idea what it came out of?
Thanks
Chris
