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.

 

[Stanglover]

My question is; why is it that much too short now? If the column was only dropped to get the rag joint in, it should just go back where it was.
I know when I did mine, I had the box out for rebuild as well as removing the column for a clean up and new seals, it all went back together no problem. In my case, I reinstalled the column first, then installed the box with a new Lares 201 coupler.
Am I missing something?

 

[Tesla80]

My question is; why is it that much too short now? If the column was only dropped to get the rag joint in, it should just go back where it was.
I know when I did mine, I had the box out for rebuild as well as removing the column for a clean up and new seals, it all went back together no problem. In my case, I reinstalled the column first, then installed the box with a new Lares 201 coupler.
Am I missing something?

I think when I put the column back in maybe I clipped the fire wall abs the column collapsed but I am not sure. I am going to try some lite prying tomorrow and if that doesn’t work I’m gonna pull the column out of the car to see if I can get it freed up.

 

[Tesla80]

Well with some gentle prying i got it to move a few millimeters. Still not close enough. I think I am going to pull the column back out and see if i can lube it up good and get it freed up. It seems really seized. I do have it that the safety pins are barely engaged but there is still around a 1/2 gap between the rubber and the flange. I did pull the bolt out of the rag joint to steering gear and I can slide the rag joint up further but then I can not get the locking pin back in on the gear. Why does something so simple have to become the most difficult

 

[awizner88]

@Tesla80 I am about to do exactly what you are doing next week, using the LARES 201. After you removed the 4 bolts to lower the steering column, did you remove the old Rag from the top though the engine bay, or did you get under the car? Just trying to figure the best way to get at it. Thanks in advance!

 

[Tesla80]

I replaced my entire steering gear. Once I removed the 4 bolts I also removed the three bolt that hold the grommet thing through the firewall. I then pulled the column back and I was able to install the rag joint from the top. Word of caution the damn hood hinge spring is sharp as hell and will crew up your arms. Make sure you can collapse and extend the column once reinstalled that is the issue I am dealing with. My column is seized up at the moment and I can not close the distance between the flange and the rag joint. Hope this helps.

 

[Stanglover]

I think when I put the column back in maybe I clipped the fire wall abs the column collapsed but I am not sure. I am going to try some lite prying tomorrow and if that doesn’t work I’m gonna pull the column out of the car to see if I can get it freed up.

Adding a comment below.

 

[Stanglover]

I don't want to be too critical of your method, but why didn't you put the coupler on the PS box before you installed it? Unless the column needed to be repaired in any way, it ought to have gone back together without a problem.
Anyway, what's done is done and you will get it fixed soon. It's very frustrating when sh*t happen, but that's how we learn. Ask me how I know!!

 

[tony-muscle]

You say you replaced the steering gear. Could it be that it is a shorter version or with a different bolt configuration? Do you have the old one so you can compare?

 

[Tesla80]

I do still have the old one and it looks the same this is the one that I got.

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