steering box and shaft help

[dixie134]

I just purchased a 72 blazer 4wd and the steering box might be bad.The steering column shaft moves on the box input about12 to the 5 oclock position before the box moves.I can see the column part move then it catches on the box input and it moves.I am hoping it is just the column shaft messed up and not the box but they are probably both shot.tried to remove the steering column shaft i removed the bolt and tried to pry the rag-joint shaft part off the box It would not go away from the box but about3/4 an inch.Does the shaft not slip together and get smaller?How is the shaft removed?I also need to know what size nut goes on the steering wheelthread pitch and all because my previous owner screwed up the end and lost the nut.I figure i can clean up the threads with a die i just don't know what size.Last what years can i use for the steering box?WHo sells the box the cheapest?

[2wdBlazer]

Just loosen the column and that will give you the slack you need. There is a plastic rivit in the middle of the shaft that keeps it from colapsing. It can be melted out very easily with just a propane torch and a few taps of a hammer.

[MAC67]

go to a local scrap yard imnot for sure how far up in the years they go but i just replaced the box on my 72 blazer with one off of a 77 4wd