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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Hampden, ME
Posts: 406
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Help with Steering Shaft Removal
Hey everyone,
Now that the LS/Trans swap is driveable its time to address some maintenance/repair items on the truck itself. This one has been pretty stubborn. Replacing the lower steering column bearing, I've got the bearing kit here, but can't for the life of me get the steering shaft off of the column See the arrow below; ![]() Where that arrow points - I removed the pinch bolt, and the bulky section with the rubber seal moves down but the shaft itself doesn't collapse at all and I don't want to hammer on it too hard for fear of tearing the rubber boot. Is this just a case of a stuck shaft where I need to drill out/melt out the plastic pins or am I missing something? Trying to avoid unhooking at the steering box if I can, just because those bolts are all boogered up and ultimately I want to replace the entire setup, so this is just to get it driving a little better. Thanks in advance Eric |
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#2 |
chevy truck fan
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298
Posts: 1,988
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Re: Help with Steering Shaft Removal
I can't help, but I am wanting to do the same thing so following along.... thanks!
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#3 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Schoolcraft, Michigan
Posts: 928
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Re: Help with Steering Shaft Removal
I would first soak the end with a good penetrating oil. Next, disconnect the shaft at the rag joint and get it off the steering box then try to hammer it off using an adjustable wrench around the shaft and striking with a hammer. The shaft is sorta of D shaped and is a really tight fit. When you go to reinstall clean both the intermediate shaft end and the steering column shaft end with some sand cloth and make sure it is positioned properly. Good luck sometimes they are a pain in the butt.
__________________
1972 GMC Jimmy 4x4 LS Swap 1985 Chevy K20 1994 GMC Yukon 2021 GMC 2500HD Duramax AT4 My "It's a Jimmy Thing" Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=583528 Budget Build 1985 K20 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=801565 |
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#4 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Hampden, ME
Posts: 406
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Re: Help with Steering Shaft Removal
Quote:
Thanks very much for the advice! I was really hoping to avoid disconnecting the rag joint end because someone at some point rounded off the pinch bolt, but looks like I'll be getting creative with getting that off. I guess while I've got it apart the responsible thing would be to replace the rag joint at the same time. Snowball effect ![]() |
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#5 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Colfax-California
Posts: 8,519
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Re: Help with Steering Shaft Removal
Quote:
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Hampden, ME
Posts: 406
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Re: Help with Steering Shaft Removal
You made me go look again and yup - it was so packed with crud it looked rounded. Cleaned it off and it’s just a 12pt. Shouldn’t be too bad then.
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Chatt Tn
Posts: 969
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Re: Help with Steering Shaft Removal
I usually have to smack them with a hammer to get them to slide off once the bolt is completely out.
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88 military v30 crewcab shortbed 5.9 cummins, nv4500, 205 86 k30, 89 diesel burb, 76 gmc pathfinder 71 longbed 5.3 4l80 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522535 |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: North-central Virginia
Posts: 1,099
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Re: Help with Steering Shaft Removal
It's been awhile, but from my memory, it comes apart at the steering box a lot easier than at the steering column. I doubt you'll have any trouble. Spray it down with pBlaster overnight, and it should slide right off.
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1987 C6P V20 truck, 2010 LMG 5.3, AFM delete, 2010 Camaro exhaust manifolds, 1997 nv4500, 1991 np241c, hydroboost, 2005 14bff axle & driveshaft, drop-n-lock gooseneck, 4.10 gears, stock suspension, rims, and tires. Still a work in progress. Any questions or suggestions are welcome! |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Hampden, ME
Posts: 406
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Re: Help with Steering Shaft Removal
Thanks very much guys - hoping to tear into this again at some point this week. Gotta go grab some 12pt sockets and I've been hitting both ends with PB every time I open the hood.
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 752
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Re: Help with Steering Shaft Removal
You will only need a 7/16 12 point socket or 7/16 box end wrench to get it off.
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![]() Was a 77 454 w/308 gear. Taken out 550 lbs. up front with motor clip change. |
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