rexx78

I have had my steering column out for a while now, and I just put it back in, and it is too short. :banghead: :confused:

What is wrong? It won't extend anymore, maybe I need a bigger hammer.

e3pres

You mean the FORD Tool? :jester

1yy07

If you are talking about were the splinded end goes in to the rag joint ? PUT the car BACK on the GROUND and roll it back and forth at the same time bounce it up and down.DO NOT hit on the shaft. Frame flex. :smash:

Big Fish

Did you take the column apart? If so, sometimes forcing them back together will shear the collapsible joint and cause the shaft to be short. Happens sometimes in a fender bender as well. Forcing the splined end out will allow it to fit properly, and it will work, but the correct fix is to replace the collapsible joint.

rexx78

Ohh, that sounds bad. I took the column apart down to the signal cam.

I straightened the wheel (tilt) and I was able to pull the shaft out enough. Will this collapsible joint affect the driveability of my car?

I have to have an inspection before registration. :cheers:

Big Fish

There are 2 shafts, one is telescopic inside the other. Because of the shape of the shafts they can not turn inside of each other, so I would have to say it will not affect the car's driveability. You may get a rattle however, and if that becomes an issue the collapsible joint (both shafts with the shear joint) would need to be replaced or re-conditioned.

Jim Shea

The steering shaft sticking out of the end of the steering column should measure 4.5 inches. When your column is bolted in place, there should be roughly one inch gap between the end of the column shaft to the end of the steering gear input shaft. Max gap should be about 1.3 inches.

The steering shaft is made of two pieces. They mate together with a precision fit and then hot plastic was injected to lock them together at a prescribed length. The plastic also prevents any looseness or rattles. You probably bumped the end of your steering shaft causing it shear the plastic and foreshorten the shaft.

You will need to grip the steering shaft and pull it out of the column to obtain the 4.5 inch dimension. Once you have it in the car, you don't have to worry about the plastic being sheared. The steering shaft is safe.

rexx78

Excellent news, thanks guys.

I probably will hear that rattle one day, when I think I have nothing left to do.
:jester