Steering shaft...

[jdmaffeo]

I have a question and wasn't sure if I should post this here or in another section so please move if need be. I am helping a friend rebuild a '83 short fleet. So far the entire front suspension has been rebuilt with new bushings, brakes and all the steering components less the steering box. I have a question though. His steering shaft between the steering box and the steering column needed to be replaced because the oil filled joint was shot and had leaked out all of the oil. He picked one up at a local junk yard from a '91 Burb. He is having trouble getting the new shaft onto the column. He has started to beat it on, but will it damage the new shaft or column? Anyone ever replaced this that may have some words of advice? Was there a change from '83 to '91? Thanks!

[N2TRUX]

Anyone?

[old Rusty C10]

ive done this on gm intermediate cars ( cutlasses and the like) and there are a couple of different shafts on them so id be willing to gues that its the same with the trucks... that being said id make sure that the inside of the shaft is clean and all... the lower part on the box you will have to tap on not beat tap it goes on easy enough.. you have to line it up tho there is one tooth that is different than the rest and is easy to spot when you look at it line it up and tap it on ive used a real small ball peen hammer to get this on without alot of effort the top part i put a little wd40 on to lube it as i slid that on but like i said that has to be cleaned so nothing impedes it from sliding on
hope that helps.....

[jdmaffeo]

Thanks for the replies! We figured out what happened...There is a little clip on the lower bearing that let loose on the steering column allowing the column shaft to go up into the column...We cleaned up the bearing and re-installed the shaft and it went together just like it should. Thanks again!