Steering column shaft slipped out a few inches when removing.

[cdawg]

Hello Everyone,

I recently removed my steering column and while doing it the coupler was stuck so I forced the whole steering column off and the shaft slipped out a few inches. So I had the shaft tapped back to the 13 1/2 inches from the notch on the column tube wear the bearing clip is installed. Is this going to be something I should worry about or can I go ahead and install the column back in without taking it all apart to check the shaft is in place correctly and safe. I don't want it falling apart when driving.

Thanks

[dutch]

 you snapped the plastic safety pins on the collapsable part.  it wont kreep up towards the steering wheel, and if it does, it is helt in place by the coupler and it wont slide down far enough to fall out. Inner and outer shaft are a nice tight fit, I don`t think it will go anywhere at all. 

[cdawg]

Thanks Dutch

I also forgot to mention that I replace the coupler with a 70 coupler that is a about a 1/2 shorter. So the shaft is 1 1/2 inches out then it originally was rebuilt to. Which probably the person that rebuilt it didn't measure correctly but I do have it a 13 1/2 inches from the bearing notch

[dutch]

hm. I can`t comment on the safety of that   

  where do you get the 1.5" in a coupler?

[cdawg]

Sorry  I did a typo error. The coupler I have on the column is 3 inches the one I replaced measures 3 1/2 inches. But when it was put back in place the shaft measure 13 1/2 inches from the bearing clip notch to the coupler . Yet the shaft now sticks out 1 1/2 half from how I got it from the rebuilt shop . Does it mean the shop didn't measure correctly? So I should be OK.

[Chryco Psycho]

this is a dangerous situation , there is really nothing holding the shaft in place , the coupler cannot slide off the steering box because of the roll pin , the end of the shaft has the crosspin & shoes inside the coupler & there is a tiny press pin [maybe 1/8"] in the end of the coupler that holds the shoes inside the coupler that is it , so the shaft theoretically will not creep up & come out of the coupler but you are betting you life on tiny press pin so at least make SURE the pin is in place ,  the crimped cover barely stays on so that will not help it stay together at all .

[cdawg]

Thanks Chryco
I will make sure the pin is in place.!