Steering Inner shaft problems.

[pnora]

I have a 69 Charger with power steering. This is a car I took apart 15 years ago. Complete restoration. I tried to install the column and it fits fine to the firewall and dash. Problem is the coupler barely goes on the steering box with the coupler fully extended. I took in back out and apart and I do not see any problems with the plastic shear pin area. If it is collapsed it does not look like it. My total shaft length from the wheel threads to the end of the coupler collapsed is 38 1/2 inches. Does any one have any measurements? They can even be on the car coupler to lower jacket bearing. Need something to go on. This should be the same shaft that came out of the car. Thanks.

 

[crank]

the shaft without the coupler should be about 41 3/4 long for p/s

 

[crank]

90% of the columns i do are collapsed and a lot of them look good until you measure it.i'm betting it/s collapsed.just my opinion.

 

[pnora]

So it looks like to you fellows that my 38 1/2 tip of shaft to end of collapsed coupler measurement is to short. I will try to get it apart tomorrow. The 41 3/4 less coupler seems to long to me. At this time I need to dig up some answer. Nothing is making sense at the moment. Will let you know what I find out.

 

[crank]

it may seem long but it's not.if it was manual steering it would be 44 3/4.

 

[pnora]

Well with some luck if it pulls apart I should see some reference marks to determine where it should be.

 

[crank]

you'll see the marks

 

[pnora]

Shaft was short. I took it apart 15 years ago and had everything neatly put away. I will never say never on the shaft being bumped, I just don't recall anything ever happening to it. Either way its fixed and in the car. Thanks for the help.