Steering Column Gap

[troutstreamnm]

How much of a gap should there be between the steering colunm and the crush can?  Mine has a good 1/4" to 5/16" gap and it doesn't seem to want to budge anymore.  I think my last column had a similiar gap, but it seems like the can should butt up close to the column.

[Chryco Psycho]

looks about right to me , is the snap ring seated below the brg by the turn signal switch , that is the only place the inner shaft could be higher than normal

[troutstreamnm]

Yep, the snap right was set correctly so everything was in place before the can went on.  Just doing a double check before installation.  Thanks for the input CP 

[Chryco Psycho]

you are welcome 

[LAA66]

 My situation is the opposite. The can is rubbing on the column. Everything was fine until I replaced the steering box with A FF unit. I unbolted the column at the floor pan and under dash then slide it out of the coupling. Now there is about an 1/8" free play along with the rub. Nothing was force or hammered it just fit right back together.

BTW: The column is a manual set on a power steering box in a 70 Challenger.

[LAA66]

 Got it. Snap ring slipped. Must be a weak link as it should not have moved given the situation.

 Maybe the clip is suppose to break loose as part of the collision safety feature used back then. It is not full round on the ID, and the material it's made of is pretty weak.?

[ShelbyDogg]

  Snap ring slipped.

Turn the clip over and reinstall it. Make sure that the flat edge is on top, compared to the rounded edge. I also squeeze it to make it tighter first, then only expand it enough to install it.