Steering shaft removal

[sackracing]

Where does this shaft separate from the column?


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[sackracing]

[LockDoc]

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You will have to remove the nuts from the bolts at the rag joint, remove the brackets from the inside and outside of the firewall, disconnect any shift linkage if it is a column shift, and the brackets under the dash, unplug the wire loom connector under the dash and pull the whole column out from inside the cab.

LockDoc

[randy500]

The steering center shaft is one piece from the steering wheel to the rag joint at the steering box.

[LockDoc]

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Randy is correct on that. All the clamp does is hold the washer and spring in place for the bearing preload. I will correct my post.

LockDoc

[randy500]

Locdoc correct me if I'm wrong.
That style of column I think is 67-8 only and can be troublesome to remove.
I think the procedure is this.

Remove that bolt near the firewall next to the spring.
Remove the 2 bolts at the rag joint to steering box connection
Remove the steering wheel.
Remove the clamp and bracket at the engine side of the firewall'
Remove the shift linkage

Under the dash,
Unbolt the parking brake assembly
Above the parking brake is a half circle clamp with 2 bolts, remove the bolts
Remove 2 screw at firewall seal, either phillips or 5/16"

Separate the shaft from the rag joint.

Remove the column, then the center shaft if needed.

Probably have to remove the inner fender support bracket too, 4 - 1/2" bolts facing up.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by randy500

Locdoc correct me if I'm wrong.
That style of column I think is 67-8 only and can be troublesome to remove.
I think the procedure is this.

Remove that bolt near the firewall next to the spring.
Remove the 2 bolts at the rag joint to steering box connection
Remove the steering wheel.
Remove the clamp and bracket at the engine side of the firewall'
Remove the shift linkage

Under the dash,
Unbolt the parking brake assembly
Above the parking brake is a half circle clamp with 2 bolts, remove the bolts
Remove 2 screw at firewall seal, either phillips or 5/16"

Separate the shaft from the rag joint.

Remove the column, then the center shaft if needed.

Probably have to remove the inner fender support bracket too, 4 - 1/2" bolts facing up.

Yes, 67-68. I have removed them with the wheel on but trying to wrestle it out of there and get the shift levers through the hole in the firewall can be a pain. Depends on if the seat is in the truck or not. Best course of action would be to remove the wheel if he has a puller.

On the under dash stuff I don't remember if the metal trim piece comes off before the e-brake assembly or after but the pedal stop bracket (four 5/16 bolts) would be after the e-brake assembly, then the "U" shaped bracket that actually holds the column up. If I remember correctly 3 of the 4 bolts for the pedal stop bracket also go through the e-brake bracket. I figured he could get that stuff OK.

LockDoc

[sackracing]

Originally Posted by randy500

The steering center shaft is one piece from the steering wheel to the rag joint at the steering box.

That makes sense, I've never seen a setup like this.

[sackracing]

I'm going to replace the steering box and shorten the shaft to move the column forward some. I hope I can get it out from the bottom with the steering box removed.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by sackracing

I'm going to replace the steering box and shorten the shaft to move the column forward some. I hope I can get it out from the bottom with the steering box removed.

Basically, to shorten the shaft itself, all you have to do is heat the lower shaft just above the rag joint (where the two pieces slide inside each other) until the plastic starts oozing out and collapse it a couple of inches. There are a few threads on here on the whole process, including moving the upper column down.

LockDoc

[sackracing]

I found a good thread on that, I'm planning to try it.
Thanks

[RustyBucket]

Just shortened the collapsible section in my '71 GMC the other day. I needed more "belly room" after I installed this '60 Impala wheel. Moved it down pretty much as close to the dash as possible. Got instructions from a couple of threads in the search section. Drilled out the nylon before I cooked it with the torch. Still trying to make the horn rim work right and it moved my shift indicator a little. The cat doesn't help much but he's a good listener.

[sackracing]

That steering wheel is badass

[RustyBucket]

Originally Posted by sackracing

That steering wheel is badass

THANKS, I've always liked 'em. When I was about 10 my favorite uncle had a '59 Impala, 348, 3x2, 4spd. Wheel seems BIG compared to the little Grant wood rim wheel I took out, but it is the same dia. as the original wheel in the truck. Had to detail on it a little but it's in pretty nice shape for a 50+ year old piece. Feels "VINTAGE"

[sackracing]

I dropped the seat to the floor to help with belly room some, but when the wheel goes forward some I'll really be happy.
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