I disconnected my steering shaft/rag joint last weekend to do some adjustments to the steering, steering wheel and wiring in the steering column. After completing the work I went back to reattach the steering column to the steering box and found that the steering shaft was now about an inch and a half short from reaching the box. I tried pulling on it to get it to stretch back and it won't give. Anyone know what the problem is and how to fix it??

 

You need to detail what you did, to be honest, as it's a little vague as stated. However...

1) If the steering box was adjusted/worked on in any way, that could have affected the input shaft's location. Unlikely, but still.

2) Excepting the steering box scenario, the only other thing is that the column is mounted too far forward, or whatever you did in the column has move the shaft up. Did you replace the bearings? Or...?

More info will help, but bottom line is, best guess, whatever you did in the column caused the shortage. I halfway expect your steering wheel to be gapped from the column... If it is mounting correctly, then the steering column itself is mounted wrong, somehow...

Best guess I got.

 

The shaft is two pieces that slide together. It might be stuck but it will slide back down. Find a way to pry it back down maybe.

 

I didn't loosen, move or adjust the steering column at all. I just detached the rag joint to clean/lube and tighten everything. While it was detached I took the steering wheel off to work on the wiring in the column and then reattached and tightened the steering wheel. When I went back to the engine bay to put everything back together, I noticed the shaft had contracted about an inch and a half.

 

When you detach the rag joint and then take off the steering wheel, the steering shaft is attached to absolutely nothing.

Pulling the steering wheel is what shortened your shaft.

Pull the wheel first next time to avoid this.

Now you need to work the shaft back down.

 

believe Al .. all you must do is slide them back together .

 

It was a problem with the two pieces of shaft being jammed together. It was a huge pain, but I got it unstuck and back together.

 

I'm glad you were able to get it worked out. Mine is an early 67, so I have a solid steel "spear 'o' death" with no such issues.

Learn a lot just reading these.

 

Awesome to hear!