steering column??

[hereiam]

Ok this may sound stupid but the 81 malibu was broken into and the steering column smashed. I had a used one shipped to me. Here is the problem both are 81 malibu. I removed the broken one and had to hammer on the coupler to get it to release. Seems like it was frozen in there. I installed the used new unit and find that the end of the shaft on the new part ends up being about 1/2 away from the coupler of the shaft on the steering box. It is my understanding that these are collapsing colums. Now what collapses When I hammered the steering box side off did I shorten it, is the new column collapsed do to shipping. I have tried to pull both sides out farther but no luck. Something has to move here so that I can connect them and get the bolt in. Maybe it is just one of those things, cant see it for looking. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Longroof79]

The extra play, or give, would be in the intermediate shaft, not the column itself. Apparently yours sound like it's stuck from sliding further back. Probably some surface rust on the shaft. You can try removing the shaft and working on it from outside of the car, or you can replace it with the Jeep Cherokee intermediate shaft, which is what I have done.

 

[TODoubleD]

pull/push on the shaft as much as you can to get it touching the lower column and then tap on the joint with a small hammer while still pulling on the shaft to work it on. i had to do that putting my column back in a couple days ago.

 

[hereiam]

is it the shaft that goes to the wheel or the shaft that goes to the steering box that i have to get extened in order for me to get them joined?????????

 

[hereiam]

Thanks to those who responded, but I still dont know what shaft is causing the problem. Tomorrow I will remove the steering column from the car and take it apart to see if that is the one that moves. If I dont find anything there then I will remove the one on the box and see if the problem is there. Either way by tomorrow night I will know what is wrong and have it fixed. Most times it is best for me to learn first hand, that way I will remember it, or atleast have a chance of remembering it.

 

[TODoubleD]

sorry didnt see this. the shaft that connects the column to the steering box!! no need to take apart the column.

 

[anthonychacon80]

I found this image on google. Yours is the uglier of the two I think? You can see how the skinnier shaft fits inside the fatter shaft. Mine is frozen/rusted as it is so i can not get it to collapse any further. You can use the intermediate shaft from your broken column. Either one should work as long as you can freely move the shaft and collapse it. The point is it is better for the column to compress into itself than for the steering wheel to crush your face/chest in the event of a front on collision. That happened to me Mom back in 1976. Pushed her into the back seat!

 

[hereiam]

Thanks TODoubleD for your reply. When I figured out what shaft was not moving I sprayed the shaft where the joint was with outboard fogging oil. Left it sit for about 5 minutes and then I could move it with my hand. I guess it was just rusted in a bit. If the plastic cover wasnt there I would have been able to see the joint and would have known rather than asking.
I never had a Gbody before so I have a little learning ahead of me.
Thanks again

 

[TODoubleD]

no problem!