Steering column rebuild Help

[Flchallenger]

I have followed Cody Cuda's videos and rebuilt the steering column in a 71 ebody floor shift car. I put the can on and realized the can can move up and down about a 1/8 inch. Did i put one of the snap rings on in the wrong place. Is this normal. Here pictures.

 

[Flchallenger]

I hope I don't have to tear this apart again

 

[moparleo]

Might have, but we can't see thru steel unfortunately.
Otherwise it looks good.

 

[Chryco Psycho]

The snap rings prevent the shaft from moving up or down in the brg one of them is not seated correctly .

 

[Montclaire]

The nut holding the can is supposed to be torqued to 60 foot lbs. It can move a bit until you torque it, which is easiest to do once it’s in the car.

 

[Flchallenger]

Nut is torqued down to 60lbs. and a little more. I was having trouble trying to find the slot that lines up with can and shaft. Have a rubber mallet and tapped a little on the can to see if it was seating right and then put the nut on. I think it pooped the big snap ring loose or something. I just remember the column moving any or very little. But I am getting old and the memory is going quick.
I better take it apart and check every thing.

 

[mmissile]

Columns are much more difficult to work on, than they appear. I pulled mine apart a couple times.

 

[Juan Veldez]

I just went out and tried to move mine back and forth, it did not budge. Mine was not re-built, just re-painted. Not sure if that's a bad sign, but I'm leaning that way.

 

[Montclaire]

No mallet! I use a fine tip red paint marker so I can see the master splines off the bench. Use some anti seize when you put the can back on and the nut will draw it down.

 

[Challenger RTA]

Your almost there. Don't leave the engine and go to the caboose. You'll wreck the train! Pull the can and check the can and shaft spines and nut and shaft threads. If every thing is in place it should work somewhat easy. Just by drawing the nut on. Remember if you're working to hard you're doing something wrong!

 

[Flchallenger]

I hope to get to taking it apart this evening. Just not enough time in a day.