How to seperate the steering column

**SlikRic** · 06-08-2011, 02:50 PM

I have the complete steering system loose (top to bottom). My question is how do you seperate the column from the steering shaft to get them out?
Thanks in advance

**Patter** · 06-08-2011, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlikRic

I have the complete steering system loose (top to bottom). My question is how do you seperate the column from the steering shaft to get them out?
Thanks in advance

Are the bolts that hold the two together all the way out?
There is a pinch bolt that sets in a radiused groove on some. If the bolt is not completely out. It won't slide off.
Shot in the dark. ??
Good luck.

trailhead2004 · 06-08-2011, 03:49 PM

Did you loosen the connection at the steering box? If yes, you might just have some rust holding it together. You might want to try some Kroil or Liquid Wrench overnight and/or a few taps with a hammer.

HTH.

trailhead

**SlikRic** · 06-08-2011, 04:27 PM

I have remove all the bracketsunder the dash. The bracket on the frame mount is all free. The entire cloumn is floating in the firewall. I have removed the copler bolt and made sure the clamp is loose. So where is this pinch bolt that sets in a radiused groove?

**SlikRic** · 06-08-2011, 04:34 PM

Sorry I forgot, the steering box is still fully attached to the shaft. Does that need to be removed first?

**Patter** · 06-08-2011, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlikRic

So where is this pinch bolt that sets in a radiused groove?

Slikric.
I actually just googled that. Mine was not that way. Just tryin to help out.

Good luck

**Coiz** · 06-08-2011, 05:58 PM

The bolt that attaches the column shaft to the intermediate shaft needs to be completely removed as it catches a groove on the end of the column shaft. After that it is pry it apart and tap/pull it out.

**SlikRic** · 06-08-2011, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coiz

The bolt that attaches the column shaft to the intermediate shaft needs to be completely removed as it catches a groove on the end of the column shaft. After that it is pry it apart and tap/pull it out.

That by the manual is called the copler bolt and yes it is removed and the clamp even spread. It still woill not move

**Coiz** · 06-08-2011, 06:15 PM

Get a bigger hammer! Can you get a pry bar between the end of the column and the top of the intermediate shaft?

ejschmitt · 06-08-2011, 06:18 PM

I have used a pickle fork on this before to go around the shaft onto the u-joint mount, then tap it out with a deadblow or hammer

TOBYWON · 02-17-2012, 08:07 PM

Guys, I'm stuck trying to get my column back into the shaft. It goes right in, but I cant get the pinch bolt back through the coupler! I tried to use a C clamp to squeeze the coupler together enough to allow the pinch bolt to go back through, but no joy. Any tricks on how to do this? HELP!

ejschmitt · 02-17-2012, 08:11 PM

Which side are you having a problem with? Are you sure it is on with the correct orientation? The shaft will have a flat spot or chamfered spot for the bolt to go through, if this is not aligned the bolt will not go through.

mopar408 · 02-17-2012, 08:39 PM

Rick, IIRC if you have the steering coupler shaft loose at where the bell goes onto the steering box and the whole column loose at the dash/firewall you could just bring the whole mess back out thru the cab in one big piece. When you had it laying on your workbench it'd be easy.
Just a thought.

TOBYWON · 02-17-2012, 08:47 PM

Yeah, I tried to slot the pinch bolt through from either side, but I can't squeeze the tips of the coupler together enough to make a straight hole. Did I pry it too far apart during extraction? what could I use to squeeze those tips together just a bit?

TOBYWON · 02-17-2012, 09:13 PM

Here's what I'm dealing with.