Steering shaft doesn't line up - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

GreenMystChevy · 04-11-2003, 03:05 PM

I just put a 2" body lift on my 4x4 and I have run into a problem. The steering shaft is too short and won't line up. I have been told that you are supposed to drill out the two plastic rivets that hold the two sections together so I drilled them out but they won't separate. Do I have to persuade it loose?
Also, it doesn't want to angle down to meet up with the steering box. My 2x4's steering has a swivel to it but my 4x4 doesn't. Do I scrounge a junkyard, what parts do I have to replace, etc.?
Someone has to know. Thanks guys.

Southpa · 04-11-2003, 03:52 PM

Maybe the original steering arm is as long as it can get. But of course, try a little "persuasion" on it first. Its a safety feature where its designed to collapse in the event of an accident. I had to shorten mine so I could fit my van tilt column. I don't know, maybe they come in different sizes. If yours won't expand 2" take a tape measure to the bone yard and check a few different larger trucks.

GreenMystChevy · 04-12-2003, 01:04 AM

TTT

MOTHERTRUCKERS · 04-12-2003, 07:54 AM

Just drilling will not work you have to heat it with a torch and pull the inner shaft out and clean it up then put it back in, adjust it to length then drill a new hole and put a roll pin in it. We have lengths of 3/4" DD shafts in stock if you need a longer inner shaft.

minibike · 04-12-2003, 02:23 PM

I was able to drill mine out, clamp the solid (not hollow) shaft in the vice, and beat the other end off of it. It is a little easier if you collapse it just a little to break it loose, then clamp it in the vice. I used a flat chisel at the joint. Done it twice.

GreenMystChevy · 04-12-2003, 04:29 PM

Thanks for all the help guys.

Minibike: I will probably use your approach but the problem that I have is that even when it will be extended, it will not want to line up with the steering box. It doesn't have any give to allow it to tilt down. Do I have to get a new arm that has a swivel type of thing? I have some pictures of my C-10 with a swivel but my 4x4 doesn't. I just don't have them uploaded.

minibike · 04-12-2003, 06:28 PM

I can't answer that...the top has a universal joint of sorts, but the rag joint probably wouldn't like swiveling that much. I believe Kugel Komponents sells some universal joints. I bought a shift linkage from them, and was pleased with the product.

MOTHERTRUCKERS · 04-12-2003, 09:04 PM

I have a rebuilt swivel with rag joint intermediate shaft for 30.00 + shipping.

GreenMystChevy · 04-13-2003, 01:27 AM

Mothertruckers- That might be exactly what I am looking for. Do you have any pictures of it? I have never taken this stuff apart before so what comes apart and where? If you have a picture of it, it might give me a better idea. Thanks for the time.

04-11-2003, 03:05 PM	#1
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	Steering shaft doesn't line up I just put a 2" body lift on my 4x4 and I have run into a problem. The steering shaft is too short and won't line up. I have been told that you are supposed to drill out the two plastic rivets that hold the two sections together so I drilled them out but they won't separate. Do I have to persuade it loose? Also, it doesn't want to angle down to meet up with the steering box. My 2x4's steering has a swivel to it but my 4x4 doesn't. Do I scrounge a junkyard, what parts do I have to replace, etc.? Someone has to know. Thanks guys. __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall

04-11-2003, 03:52 PM	#2
Southpa Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 2,410	Maybe the original steering arm is as long as it can get. But of course, try a little "persuasion" on it first. Its a safety feature where its designed to collapse in the event of an accident. I had to shorten mine so I could fit my van tilt column. I don't know, maybe they come in different sizes. If yours won't expand 2" take a tape measure to the bone yard and check a few different larger trucks. __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Original 350/TH350 Victoria, BC, Canada You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. See which one gets filled first.

04-12-2003, 01:04 AM	#3
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	TTT __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall

04-12-2003, 07:54 AM	#4
MOTHERTRUCKERS Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: BRADENTON FLA Posts: 3,269	Just drilling will not work you have to heat it with a torch and pull the inner shaft out and clean it up then put it back in, adjust it to length then drill a new hole and put a roll pin in it. We have lengths of 3/4" DD shafts in stock if you need a longer inner shaft. __________________ Rest in Peace Ed. Thanks for all the good times.

04-12-2003, 02:23 PM	#5
minibike Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Lafayette, LA Posts: 500	I was able to drill mine out, clamp the solid (not hollow) shaft in the vice, and beat the other end off of it. It is a little easier if you collapse it just a little to break it loose, then clamp it in the vice. I used a flat chisel at the joint. Done it twice. __________________ 69 SWB LT1/4L60E www.classicplace.com

04-12-2003, 04:29 PM	#6
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	Thanks for all the help guys. Minibike: I will probably use your approach but the problem that I have is that even when it will be extended, it will not want to line up with the steering box. It doesn't have any give to allow it to tilt down. Do I have to get a new arm that has a swivel type of thing? I have some pictures of my C-10 with a swivel but my 4x4 doesn't. I just don't have them uploaded. __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall

04-12-2003, 06:28 PM	#7
minibike Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Lafayette, LA Posts: 500	I can't answer that...the top has a universal joint of sorts, but the rag joint probably wouldn't like swiveling that much. I believe Kugel Komponents sells some universal joints. I bought a shift linkage from them, and was pleased with the product. __________________ 69 SWB LT1/4L60E www.classicplace.com

04-12-2003, 09:04 PM	#8
MOTHERTRUCKERS Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: BRADENTON FLA Posts: 3,269	I have a rebuilt swivel with rag joint intermediate shaft for 30.00 + shipping. __________________ Rest in Peace Ed. Thanks for all the good times.

04-13-2003, 01:27 AM	#9
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	Mothertruckers- That might be exactly what I am looking for. Do you have any pictures of it? I have never taken this stuff apart before so what comes apart and where? If you have a picture of it, it might give me a better idea. Thanks for the time. __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall



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