New steering box and rag Need help

[Tesla80]

So I dropped the column today to install the new rag joint onto the steering box. That is done. When I went to put the column back in it's bolt holes they are in but the column seems to be to short. Does the rag joint have to be slid further up the shaft or am I missing something dumb.

Steering box
LARES 807 w/ Power Steering; Fast 10:1 Ratio (2.5 Turns Lock To Lock)

Rag Joint
Lares 201 Flex Coupling Disc

 

[Bentworker]

Yes, it is collapsible. Just pull it back out.

 

[Tesla80]

The rag joint or the column ? Thanks !

 

[Bentworker]

The column, the flanged end of the column that bolts to the rag joint

 

[Tesla80]

The column, the flanged end of the column that bolts to the rag joint

ok cool I will do down to the garage and see if i can get it extended. Thanks !

 

[Tesla80]

The column, the flanged end of the column that bolts to the rag joint

It does not seem to budge at all. I was doing some reading is there a bolt at the bottom of the column that needs removed to get the column to extend ? I don't wanna bust out giant pry bar and mess up the column. Thanks !

 

[tony-muscle]

Yes, it looks a bit shorter. Loosen up the four screws that hold the bracket where the column is bolted to and push/wiggle the column down - also keep the bolts between the bracket and column loosen. I don't know the name of this bracket but it has four bolts/nuts that attach it to the dash.

 

[Tesla80]

Yes, it looks a bit shorter. Loosen up the four screws that hold the bracket where the column is bolted to and push/wiggle the column down - also keep the bolts between the bracket and column loosen. I don't know the name of this bracket but it has four bolts/nuts that attach it to the dash.

I know what bolts you mean. I have them in but loose. I will give that a try. Worst case I can pull the column out of the car and see if i can get it to extend out.

Thanks !

 

[Stanglover]

Strange you're having that issue. The rag joint coupler is the best one out there, however, the two pins are the same diameter, unlike the original. When you do get it all to line up, make sure your steering wheel is clocked correctly. The original had one pin larger in diameter for quick alignment on the production line.

 

[Hemikiller]

Sometimes you have to get behind the flange with a pry bar to get it to move.

 

[Bentworker]

The collapsible column can be pretty tight. Don’t go full animal with a pry bar, however light to medium pry bar pressure should extend it.