Steering Column UJ Re-Connect?

[356Speedster]

As my self-cancelling ring was incorrectly set, I've just had to disconnect the UJ under the dash to pull the steering wheel and main column section out..... now, I can't get the damn thing back in Every time I try to push the column back into the UJ, the joint kicks out and everything goes wonky. Any tips on getting the two to line up and stay aligned, to get the column back into the joint??

[macgtech]

Try jamming a thick screwdriver into the slot to open it up a bit - and some WD40 on the splines.

[356Speedster]

Thanks Johnny...... I've wedged a chisel in there, maybe the WD will help too, I'll try that tomorrow... I had to walk away from it this afternoon before I damaged something in frustration!

[UltimaCH]

Mark, if you remember my FB build diary, I polished ALL the splines and assembled with a bit of copper grease. Slides in and out easily.

[356Speedster]

UltimaCH said:

Mark, if you remember my FB build diary, I polished ALL the splines and assembled with a bit of copper grease. Slides in and out easily.

Good point Daniel, thanks for the tip! I'll get some wire wool on it and then a bit of lube (either WD or copper grease) and hopefully that'll stop me from pulling my hair out with it!!!

[macgtech]

Yes something a little thicker than WD may help more - grease would work.

[GtrMan]

Mine is like that to Mark ... I will try to do as Daniel did ... rotary wire brush or similar...

[Graham-P]

When I've done this, a few times lately, it's a case of on your back reaching under the dash to hold the uj steady and then either get someone to feed the column slowly into the joint without turning it (but not if you want to dinner that night or even want to stay married) or you try to feed it in yourself. I have a detachable wheel so can get under the dash without too much pain but my wheel is still about one spline out and it really bugs me...........

[356Speedster]

Thank for the help guys.... after polishing the splines and wedging a big chisel in the gap, I still couldn't get it to connect up. After another 30mins of cursing, I finally got it to slide in like butter. It seems the key is the orientation of the UJ itself.

Originally, I had it pointing straight ahead to make the wheel easy to line up correctly, however, after I'd got the col started, I turned the wheel (and thus the UJ) about 45 degrees and that seemed to just allow everything to line up and the col slid in easily. Strange, but job done