Well i am finishing my car up so i can take it outta storage, and the last thing i have to do before its good to go is put the steering shaft back on. I have been working on it for like 2 hours, and i feel like im handicapped. I put it on the bottom first, slide it all the way down, and it wont go on the top. So i take it off and put it on the top first. and i pushed it all the way up on the top and it wont go on the bottom. Am i doing something wrong, because i am about to get out the B.F.H and hit something.

 

I think you need to take a break for a while. I've never had a problem doing this job. I just leave the bolts out, and I spread the points where the bolts pinch. Then I let the u-joint collapse far enough that I can slide it into place.

In fact, I've got to go out and put on my rag joint eliminator, so I get to do it one more time.

 

it may not be your problem, but i just finished with a header install.

i jacked the car up, and removed the steering shaft, and then let the car down, and back up, and so on a few times.

well, in doing this it turned the wheels EVER so slightly. so the shaft didn't line up. so, get both front wheels off the ground, and try turning them just a little bit with your hands,

put the top one in first. and just put the bolt through to keep it from coming off, not tight at all. and then try to line up the bottom one.

it may not be your problem, but maybe

 

When I did my headers I had a hard time getting it back together too. I couldn't quite get it lined up straight enough to slide on. I ended up using my grinder to open up the end of the clamp so I could get it started onto the shaft, then used a hammer to knock it up into position.

 

Wow, I didn't have that much problem with it.

 

I would install the upper part first, then get a friend behind the wheel and move it ever so slightly from side to side until bottom part of shaft goes on, once it is in the right place it should slide on with only minimal force.

 

I found it was easier with someone helping to keep the steering wheel/shaft straight. It can be done Long Ranger style, but it's easier with a Tonto helping out.