Steering shaft not fitting

[T_love]

I'm using the RB25 crossmember and mounts on my swap. i put the KA streering rack on the RB crossmember. I just went to join the steering shaft to the U-joint and i can't. The steering shaft extends too far past the U-joint and i can't figure out how to put it in. Is there some way to push the shaft back into the body or did i do something wrong?

Any help would be much appreciated

[Joe]

the shaft shouldnt go past the joint, sure the rack is mounted 100% correct? angle is important

also, you know you will need a custom o2 housing and downpipe right?

[T_love]

I'm not sure about the angle but i put it in where it kinda lines up with the shape of the bracket that goes over it. I might have to take it off and bolt it back on. The shaft still seems pretty long. It was touching the top of the rack where you put the u-joint before i put the U-joint back on the rack.

I'm waiting to see how bad the rubbing on the O2 housing will be before i work on that. Hopefully i'll just need to shave a little off of it.

[Joe]

lol dont get your hopes up on the shaving part.

[Wulfgang]

Hmm... and I had the exact opposite problem, where the shaft was not long enough with the R32 x-member.

I guess it all depends on how badly your frame is off from past wrecks and visits to the body shop.

The steering rack is collapsable, tho. It can take up a few inches of travel, and it is possible to push the shaft up into the sleeve a bit -- IF you are careful and IF the shaft is not frozen.

[T_love]

you mean push it back towards the steering wheel? I hope thats possible coz i really don't want to drop my crossmember again. Do i just push up on it or is there some trick to it?

[Wulfgang]

The solid shaft that connects to the u-joint has splines at BOTH ends. If you can see the splines at the upper end (just below where it comes through the firewall), then you can push the solid part up further into the hollow piece.

I would recommend removing your steering column before doing this so that you can clamp the bottom shaft and avoid damaging the upper column.

[T_love]

How hard is it to take the sterring column off. I think i'd rather try to get it back in there than have to unbold the crossmember and try to push it in with it bolted to the U-joint, that's what i was about to do

[Wulfgang]

Removing the column is easy. Just 4 bolts hold the column up, plus a handful of other screws and bolts for trim pieces and the firewall seal. Much easier than it sounds. Just take a look under your dash and you'll see that there is not much to it.

[FAST-DATSUN]

The steeering shaft is collapsable and may be in the wrong position, do to a wreck or some one changing it.....

[T_love]

I hope i just have to shove it back in then bolt it back on. i won't be able to get to it till Friday maybe