ok so im doin the column in my 87 Iroc and it was all goin fine untill it came time to bolt the new one to the knuckle on the shaft. I tried to connect it with the column unbolted and it would not fit into the shaft, then tried to bolt up the column and slide the shaft into the knuckle that way and this time it seemed to short. Now im not just an idiot mechanic, ive been doin these for years but every time i do a thirdgen F-body it is the hardest thing to do. Please any help would be greatly appreciated

 

Are you talking about the intermediate shaft? The one with the rag joint that attaches between the steering box and the steering column?

 

yep thats the one.

 

wait its the joint that the base of the steering column slides connects with the shaft

 

If it's this piece 'pictured' then that shaft has a slip joint. The intermediate shaft is actually two pieces. One slide into the other. You should be able to pull the shaft up towards the steering coloumn if it's just a little short. The piece pictured is telescopic in other words.

 

ok i got you, So its should lengthen enough to get it in. thats what i thought because they do that for crash safty but i couldnt get it to budge (rusty). im thinkin about jus takin the shaft out completely to work on it because i have no room around the brake lines and exhaust manifold