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1969 Satellite steering column coupling, how’s it work?

General23cmp

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I had to pull my power steering box today to either rebuild or replace. I followed the instructions per my service manual (although it didn’t simply drop out as it stated... I had to pull my starter to make room). How does the coupling from the column to the box actually work? I knocked out the roll pin, and the coupling was able to slide up the shaft a little (it was tight, but moved). The column wasn’t yet loose from the firewall, so only the coupling moved. When the column was loosened, obviously it all came off the gear box splines, but I was surprised the coupling could move up the shaft some. What is happening inside the coupling that it grabs the steering box, grabs the column, and yet can slide when the roll pin is knocked out? I assume it’s splined internally not just for the steering box’s obvious splines, but maybe there are splines on the steering shaft I don’t see, and the roll pin makes sure it’s all in the right spot?
 
I think I figured it out. Tell me if this is right. There is a dowel pin internally, through the column, with shoes around it. The shoes are what keep the coupling for rotating freely (the coupling turns when the column does). With the roll pin removed, the dowel pin and shoes have an inch or so inside the coupling that they can move linearly (it’s slotted somewhat). Thus the coupling can move up the shaft without the roll pin to the gear box, but is not free from the column to rotate.
 
coupler-jpg.jpg

 
Thank you. It appears to work as stated. What is the master spline? Is there one spline missing on the gear box or something to align to?
 
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