'71 road runner Steering Column Collapsed or Not - How to Tell (Coupler Rebuild)

[road robert]

Hey Gang, back in Spring I first dropped the steering column to fix the tachometer and noticed that the studs and bolt that secure it through breakaway washers under the dash were all the way at one end with the shaft pulled all the way out suggesting that the shaft is too short or collapsed. This also means that the shaft is at the end of the steering couple near the cap. Please see pics:
Steering wheel shaft pushed in away from driver (studs not close to bracket)

Steering wheel pulled out toward driver (hitting coupler cap) closer but not in center

So I was told to pull out the steering column to try to stretch/"uncollapse" it it by hitting the coupler shaft pins upward with the steering wheel on the ground. BEFORE I DO THIS CAN YOU TELL ME IF IT IS IN FACT COLLAPSED BY THE BELOW PICS? I don't want to break it!!!

It measures 48 1/8" from the steering wheel on the ground to the end of the shaft.

 

[66 Sat]

Grab the end while someone grabs the wheel (or put your feet on it if you're on your own) and pull it apart - if it's collapsed it will open back to full length. If it doesn't budge then it's not collapsed.

 

[Rockland71GTX]

Do you have a power steering column in a manual steering car?

 

[Bb70charger500]

All that keeps it from moving is a plastic pin that's design to Sher off . It very well could of popped when someone installed it or removed it. As stated give it a tug it will move easy enough if pin is gone.
But I would look for how long a power steer column and a non power steer column are . Might just be the wrong column but if I remember correctly there's two pin spots to change the length from one to another so you would just need to pop pin and set to the proper length.

 

[road robert]

Thanks, I have manual steering and don't know if it is the correct shaft (manual or power) or not I bought the car recently this way. Where is the shear pin and how can I tell if if it is the correct shaft?

 

[Bb70charger500]

The shaft it self needs to come out you'll need to pull lower bearing and undo the stuff at top
Make sure you give it a tug first before pulling it apart

 

[Bb70charger500]

I think I have a shaft sitting out back I can look at witch hole the pin is in there only a inch or two apart

 

[road robert]

Thanks Bb70charger500. I was told that I could "stretch" the shaft (if it was collapsed) by standing on the steering wheel on the floor then hitting up on the steel pin at the coupler end of the shaft. From what I've read the manual vs. power steering shafts are different by about 3"...

 

[road robert]

Update! I was able to "stretch" the shaft by more than 1" by hitting the shaft upward while standing on the steering wheel (see pics) - not sure where I need to be but don't want it to come out! It could not be pulled up by hand, it was quite tight