72 steering column issue

[Scott M.]

I am having a bit of an issue getting my steering coupling to come together like I think it should. A little over a year ago I removed the steering column from the car to redo the firewall insulation and a few other things. I took it out and set it up and out of the way. Now when I am trying to install it the coupler on the column side of the shaft only grips about 1/4 inch of the splines when I try to bring the couplers together. The coupler on the steering box side has plenty of splines left on it but it will not move out any more on the shaft because of the groove that allows the bolt to pass through that tightens the couplers to the steering box shaft! Does the steering column slide up and down the steering shaft to allow for this adjustment? Please help!
Thanks
Scott

[Alan S.]

Re: 72 steering column issue

Hi Scott,
Is it possible since the steering column has the energy absorbing capability, that while the column was out of the car it was collapsed a little bit?
That would pull the end of the shaft back from the steering box connection, and perhaps cause your problem.
What's the distance from the steering box shaft to the end of the steering column?
If it's collapsed a bit you CAN pull it back out.
Maybe?
Regards,
Alan

[Scott M.]

Re: 72 steering column issue

Alan,
I am fixing to check that distance right now! I was just wondering if there was a specification on that particular distance. It doesn't seem to mention one in my assembly manual.
Scott

[John H.]

Re: 72 steering column issue

Now when I am trying to install it the coupler on the column side of the shaft only grips about 1/4 inch of the splines when I try to bring the couplers together.
Scott

Scott -

Have you removed the 12-point clamp bolt from the column side of the coupler?

[Scott M.]

Re: 72 steering column issue

I have loosened them both and slid the couplers to the ends of each shaft and they are close but I think the shafts should also be a little closer.

[Scott M.]

Re: 72 steering column issue

Here are pics and the measurements I took. I hope someone can help with this. Distance between shafts is 1.5 inches. The length of the column shaft from the edge of the lower bearing is 4.495 inches. Thanks
steering1.jpgsteering2.jpg

[John H.]

Re: 72 steering column issue

I have loosened them both and slid the couplers to the ends of each shaft and they are close but I think the shafts should also be a little closer.

Scott -

You have to REMOVE the 12-point clamp bolts in order to slide the coupler on the splines on both the steering gear input shaft and the steering column shaft.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 72 steering column issue

I am having a bit of an issue getting my steering coupling to come together like I think it should. A little over a year ago I removed the steering column from the car to redo the firewall insulation and a few other things. I took it out and set it up and out of the way. Now when I am trying to install it the coupler on the column side of the shaft only grips about 1/4 inch of the splines when I try to bring the couplers together. The coupler on the steering box side has plenty of splines left on it but it will not move out any more on the shaft because of the groove that allows the bolt to pass through that tightens the couplers to the steering box shaft! Does the steering column slide up and down the steering shaft to allow for this adjustment? Please help!
Thanks
Scott

Could your new firewall insulation be thicker than the original?

[Scott M.]

Re: 72 steering column issue

Scott -

You have to REMOVE the 12-point clamp bolts in order to slide the coupler on the splines on both the steering gear input shaft and the steering column shaft.

I have the couplers on and the bolts were in place in the grooved area on the splined shafts. The problem seems to be that each one is at the furthest most point possible on their shaft and its still has a considerable gap between them.

[Scott M.]

Re: 72 steering column issue

Could your new firewall insulation be thicker than the original?

Lyle,
There is actually no insulation directly under the steering column flange but there is a foam gasket there. The flange is as far against the firewall as possible. I thought that maybe the flanged section might slide a little bit for some adjustment. I really don't want to put too much pressure on my firewall by pushing on it.
Scott

[Jim S.]

Re: 72 steering column issue

I have the following dimensions from my Saginaw drawings.
1969-76 Standard (non-adjustable) steering column distance from bearing retainer to end of steering shaft 4.5 inches
1969-76 Tilt & Telescoping steering column distance from bearing retainer to end of steering shaft 4.7 inches
Distance from end of steering column shaft to the tip of the steering gear input shaft nominal 1.0 inch, max 1.3 inches.

If you have a T&T column it appears from your picture that the steering column steering shaft needs to be pulled out of the steering column about 1/4 inch. Or the steering column itself needs to be repositioned by that 1/4 inch toward the steering gear. There is no adjustment as to locating the gear on the frame so the adjustment has to occur with the steering column.

Jim

[Scott M.]

Re: 72 steering column issue

I have the following dimensions from my Saginaw drawings.
1969-76 Standard (non-adjustable) steering column distance from bearing retainer to end of steering shaft 4.5 inches
1969-76 Tilt & Telescoping steering column distance from bearing retainer to end of steering shaft 4.7 inches
Distance from end of steering column shaft to the tip of the steering gear input shaft nominal 1.0 inch, max 1.3 inches.

If you have a T&T column it appears from your picture that the steering column steering shaft needs to be pulled out of the steering column about 1/4 inch. Or the steering column itself needs to be repositioned by that 1/4 inch toward the steering gear. There is no adjustment as to locating the gear on the frame so the adjustment has to occur with the steering column.

Jim

Jim,
I have a standard column and I did check the distance from the end of the shaft to the lower bearing edge. It is 4.5 inches. How would someone pull the steering shaft out of the column without changing the 4.5 inch distance between the end of the shaft to the lower bearing edge. Seems like the lower bearing would end up coming out of the end of the column. The flange that bolts to the firewall is all the way against the firewall. Thats why I was woundering if that lowest section of the column with the flange on it actually slides a little for minor adjustment. I will tinker with it again next weekend. Thanks for your help!

Scott