Steering Column issues

[gpetry]

I've got a 65 SWB C10 that is awaiting its turn to be restored. Right now, it gets pushed around to move it out of the way. With tires on the ground, steering wheel turns, but front wheels do not. Jack the truck up and take the weight off the front wheels, and the steering wheel turns the wheels. Ultimately, column will get replaced with a tilt column during restoration, but is there a quick fix in the meantime to make it easier to push around and into the place we need it - Doesn't need to be a "safe" or permanent solution as the truck will never see the road before the column is replaced or do I need to find a used column to throw in there until we are ready to start working on it?

[DPowers]

Sounds like your column is "slipping" someplace.
Got a pic of where the steering shaft and steering box are connected?

[Captainfab]

It sounds to me like something in the steering box or the ragjoint attachment to the steering box.

[AcampoDave]

Sounds like the perfect reason (excuse) to buy a set of wheel dollies https://www.ebay.com/i/351242285457?...D1325775510663

[luvbowties]

With weight on wheels, have a pal turn steering wheel while you watch steering shaft from underneath hood. You'll prolly/possibly see where the slipping is occurring.
HTH,
Sam

[gpetry]

Thats the plan - it will probably be this weekend before I can do it. Even after I posted, I started thinking about it and I'm pretty sure it will end up being the rag joint instead of the column

[gpetry]

Got out to look at it this evening. Steering wheel spins almost freely, but very little movement (like 1/4" either way) in the lower shaft coming out of the column Rag Joint appears fine - motion is not being transferred from the wheel to the lower column. Is there a know weak point in the lower column? What common trucks have a column that will bolt in - not worried about electrical, just rag joint spline size and under dash mounts. Anything older than 80's is hard to find around here.

[Llay R. Rac]

long time ago my upper steering column bearing disintegrated, i didn't know it could be fixed, didnt have any money then, so i kept driving it for years.
finally i found out i could fix it and pulled the shaft while doing the bearing and rag joint. Part of the bearing had lodged partway down the column and worn a groove 2/3 rds of the way thru the shaft.
maybe yours did the same and wore completely thru.

[Captainfab]

Then either the splines holding the steering wheel onto the shaft are worn or as Llay R. Rac said the shaft has been worn thru. The shaft is supposed to be one solid piece from the steering wheel to the rag joint.

[rvrfoot]

Steering wheel striped out.

[gpetry]

Yep - steering wheel adapter stripped. Not a spline left on it - Aftermarket grant wheel. Now to find another adapter or a factory wheel that I can slap on there for now.