Steering column collapsed?

[suburbanfireman]

Well I finally got the charger on the road - to discover that the power steering gearbox is shot. After waiting 2 weeks for the remaufactured gearbox, I commensed with the incrediblely sucky task of removing my starter, header, spark plugs, and loosened my steering column.  Realized that the steering coupler shoe spring was broken, waited another week for it to come in from year one. Putting it all back together today, and had my wife push in on the steering wheel so I could slide the steering shaft into the coupler. She pushed the steering wheel in - but the steering shaft did not push into the coupler!!!  I'm guessing that the plastic shear pins are broken / missing inside the steering column?  It does not appear that they are even available in the aftermarket.  Is it safe to drive without them?  I'm not really in the mood to disassemble the entire steering column.  I've been working on this car for almost a decade - I just want to drive the car before they start salting the roads!

[Highbanked Hauler]

 Its a combat repair but you might be able to clamp a couple of pairs of vise grips on the steering shaft near the coupler and and with a hammer drive against the grips and see if it goes back out to the length you need. It may work if it isn't rusted up inside. I did mine that way,long story.

[A383Wing]

yup, just tap the center shaft back out to mate up to the steering box....the plastic pins just stop the noise rattle in the column...the pins do not "hold" the shaft from moving

[suburbanfireman]

Thanks.  I'm going to do the vice-grip idea tomorrow.  I hoped to run the car down the track Wednesday night - wanted to make sure it will be safe. I will update you all with my progress.

PS - I probably won't hear the steering column rattle over top of 3" exhaust with flowmaster mufflers! 

[Highbanked Hauler]

Thanks.  I'm going to do the vice-grip idea tomorrow.  I hoped to run the car down the track Wednesday night - wanted to make sure it will be safe. I will update you all with my progress.

PS - I probably won't hear the steering column rattle over top of 3" exhaust with flowmaster mufflers! 

   Cool, give er hell.. mine has never been a problem. I wonder it the plastic pins were put in to set the length when the column was assembled ..

[A383Wing]

pins are there just to stop the metal to metal rattle of the inner to outer shaft

[suburbanfireman]

Update - it's back together.  I want to say "thank you" to Highbanked Hauler and A383wing for the help / advice.  (The vice-grip trick worked like a charm!). You both saved me from having a nervous breakdown! 

[Highbanked Hauler]

Update - it's back together.  I want to say "thank you" to Highbanked Hauler and A383wing for the help / advice.  (The vice-grip trick worked like a charm!). You both saved me from having a nervous breakdown! 

   Glad it worked for you.