Power steering shaft length

[Junbug]

As many others have had to do, I shifted my footbox bearing flanges to inside the footbox in order to get the upper shaft to not bind the u-joint. I have three questions:
1. Does this look like enough clearance over the 2”x2” on the upper steering column?
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=179791&d=1676156342
2. Can I put in the spring washers and tap the upper shaft into place or is it better to wait?
3. Does the rest of my steering shaft assembly look?
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=179792&d=1676156342

Thanks,
-Bryan

[mladen]

Somehow I keep inadvertently deleting my posts when on mobile.

Anywho, 1. How close is it when you turn the shaft on the diagonal with the corner pointing down? You could put a washer or two to raise it a bit.
2. I'd definitely wait until you have measured dash and steering wheel positioning. Also keep in mind that if you're using Russ Thompson turn signal, there will be a bracket that you'll have to install under the upper mount. Which actually may raise your upper shaft a bit.
3. Overall yes, hard to tell the details, but there isn't much to go wrong if you followed the manual

[mmklaxer]

"Tap" the upper steering shaft in leaves quite a bit of wiggle room in interpretation. I "Tapped" mine in, then when it came to adjusting and adding set screws, I had to use ALL the bad words in my repertoire to get them apart. Also, it somewhat defeats the telescoping safety feature if you really have to force them. On top of it, I tapped with a hammer and ever so slightly mushroomed the end of the shaft, making the steering wheer impossible to get on. had to carefully file that down to get it back together.

It is not uncommon to have to scotchbrite the upper shaft to get the fit you're looking for: snug, but slides in and out.

[michael everson]

Take an hour or two and make sure the upper and lower can slide together at least an inch beyond the last indent. You dont want to hammer anything. I use a flat file and fine sand paper to make it fit. If you stick it in until it binds, hold t up to a bright light and look down the hollow tube to see where its touching. Keep working it until it slides. Then put some never seize on it.
Mike

[Junbug]

Great advice gents.. just a little bit of light sanding/smoothing the surface and it slides in with a bit of friction and stops about and inch past the last notch for the spring washers. I’ll wait to put everything together for final assembly as I don’t have any of my dash dials (POL) or Russ’s turn signal back yet.