Steering shaft issues

[NICK C]

I am at the point of placing my steering rack and shafts. I have slid the lower shaft up through the bearing assembly. Both bearings are loosely placed. I have centered the steering rack, power with correct adapter, and tried to slide adapter on to rack but too long. I presently have everything mocked up but no matter what way I look at it it doesn't seem possible that the shaft can go on the rack without hitting the bearing assembly. Even without the top shaft in, and the rack out of its mounting position, there's too much length to slide the adapter on the rack without stopping at the bearing. Am I missing something in my placement or could I have a shaft assembly too long. I thought that my issue was with power vs standard, but the standard input is actually a little longer than the power rack. The number on the lower
shaft is FFR 14553-43291. The lower part of the shaft measures about 20.25 in and upper 18.25 in.

[NICK C]

Ok, so I'm sorry to waste anyones time reading my post. I went back and slowly followed the instructions, and did get everything to fit. The tolerances were closer than I expected but, thats good. It all fits fine.

[jetsbaby]

Yes it is a very tight fit....It is MUCH easy when you are in the building stage to install the rack and steering shaft..If you ever have to replace the rack for some reason on a completed car you you will say alot of 4 letter words..;)

[cobrajj]

I found that if I left the front footbox bearing assembly really loose, it gave me just enough extra play to get the adaptor on to the splined steering rack shaft.

[rich grsc]

Install the front bearing on the inside of the foot box, also both bearing retainers go on the same side of the foot box steel.