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Help! Lower steering shaft xchange.

Redwookie

Redwookie

1/2 ton status
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Apr 5, 2007
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Charleston, SC by way of the PHX
Hey guys,

Trying to xchange the regular lower steering shaft with one out of an XJ with no rag joint.

Was able to pry the bottom connection free from the steering box, using a pickle fork.

I took the bolt out above the U-joint where it connects to the steering column.

I can't get it lose! It just pulls off the steering column right? I tried using the pickle fork again but it seems like the upper part, the steering column piece, is just pulling out. I am just damaging the steering column? How do I get it off there?

Please, am I destroying my steering column with thr prying with a pickle fork? Am I doing something else wrong?

HELP?
 
Mine required a couple of lights taps with a mallet towards the steering box on the column end to free it. But my XJ steering shaft ended up being a POS so it wasnt really an upgrade for me.
 
But with the pickle fork seeming to pull the shaft part further out of the steering column at the top, am I destroying my year old super expensive rebuilt column? Also the sucker is on there. If it is just that nut and bolt holding it on, then it's gonna take a bit more than a few taps. I used the pickle fork and a 5 pound sledge and it hasn't budged!
 
Uhh you did completely remove the bolt from the column side didn't you? Its it grooved and if you just loosen it and pound on it it will not come off. The bolt has to be out.
 
You need to Collapse it.(steering shaft) There are two small holes in the middle, there is a plastic thingy inside, you can either drill them out or try to force it. But unless you pull the column or steering box you need to do something with that plastic part in the middle
 
I would not cut anything, no reason to. When you removed the upper bolt. is there a slot where you could pry the metal apart? Its been awhile since ive done this mod. My stuff in my '84 K5 came apart pretty easy. This is suppose to be a 10-15 min mod. lol
 
badmix said:
I would not cut anything, no reason to. When you removed the upper bolt. is there a slot where you could pry the metal apart? Its been awhile since ive done this mod. My stuff in my '84 K5 came apart pretty easy. This is suppose to be a 10-15 min mod. lol
Click to expand...

Yeah there is but when I tried to force it apart with a pickle fork, the piece inside the steering column just came further out.

I'm afraid I damaged my new column. I don't know how else to get to it.
 
Yea, id be careful. Jus use whatever you have, Spray and wait. Be generous with it and soak it good. Maybe try to get something and tap it out towards the steering box.
 
Redwookie said:
Don't have any, have some GM spray lube and then wd-40, think that may help?

Also does anyone know if the steering column piece is supposed to have any movement at all or did blow something up?
Click to expand...


Mine isn't new, but there was SOME movement.
 
All right! Thank you everybody Badmix's lube and tapping it on opposite sides broke it loose and I managed to get her off! You guy's are shizz as per usual. Thanks for the advice and I can only hope to repay the debt in kind some day!

Now to make the xj ma-jigger fit and hope I didn't decimate the column.

Thanks again men and/or ladies.
 
Mine required a slow hand with a dremmel and grinding bit at the column end of the xj shaft to get it to fit just right. You want it snug but not loose.
 
Now to get the XJ on, your going to have to grind a tad on the steering column to get the bolt thru. Like mentioned above ^^^^, do a little bit at a time so the bolt is snug but lined up all the way thru

Also I had to pop the plastic thingy inside the new on to get it to collapse to get it on. Not sure how to do it without taking steering box or column out.
 
Thanks again y'all. It's 8 and cold as get up again outside so, putting the new one in is a job for tomorrow. Let's hope ya don't see this thread pop up again lol.

Thanks for the tips...
 
I have done two "notches" in the column. Both times I used a file and it worked great. Slow and precise, the bolt is tight and has a little thread "bite" to it. I recommend a file, it doesn't take more than 3 minutes if I guessed.
 
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