67 Steering column install

[Brandon K.]

Hi All....

Is there a specific direction that the steering column should be installed with regard to the alignment of the rag joint to the steering box, or do I just align the steering wheel hub so it is straight after the column is installed?

thanks!
Brandon

[Stephen L.]

Re: 67 Steering column install

I'm about to do this myself soooooo.... I believe the steering wheel is Keyed to the shaft and the shaft is keyed to the rag joint and the rag joint is keyed to the steering box shaft. I hope that is a correct assumption.

[John H.]

Re: 67 Steering column install

There's an index mark (looks like a chisel mark) at the 12 o'clock position on the upper end of the steering shaft, and there's a corresponding index mark on the steering wheel hub at its 12 o'clock position; they should be aligned when you install the hub. From the flange at the bottom of the steering column, everything through the rag joint is mechanically indexed to the steering gear input shaft.

[Brandon K.]

Re: 67 Steering column install

Thanks John!

So I guess I need to set the steering wheel straight ahead and the steering box to the straight ahead position to mate the rag joint to the steering box shaft?

[John H.]

Re: 67 Steering column install

Yup - it only goes together one way, or you can't insert the clamp bolt - there's a flat on the shaft to provide clearance for the bolt.

[Brandon K.]

Re: 67 Steering column install

On my car the steering COLUMN has a flat such as you describe, but the steering BOX shaft is round all the way around, with a notch all the way around as well, to clear the bolt.

Brandon

[Timothy B.]

Re: 67 Steering column install

Brandon,

Point the tires straight ahead, and with the rag joint removed or pushed back, look at the face of the steering box shaft for a small chisel mark. Place this mark in the 12 o'clock position by turning the tires left or right as this will center everything from the steering box forward. Next, on the lower half of the rag joint there is a split that allows the flange to be tightened around the steering box shaft when the bolt is tightened. This split is to be aligned with the chisel mark on the steering box shaft. Everything else has either a flat or a mark that can be seen. If after this the tires are not straight when the steering wheel is centered the toe needs to be set when the front is aligned. I have not had my 67 apart to see this small chisel mark on the steering box shaft but I have seen it on my 63 and this is the procedure that's in the 63 shop manual and I'm sure it's the same.

[Brandon K.]

Thanks everyone!!

It finally makes sense to me (sometimes I'm a little dense)... Thanks for all the help!

Brandon