Adjustable/Collapsible Steering Column?

[67CUDA273]

All right guys, I'm stuck. I am trying to couple an automatic steering column to a manual steering box on my 67 Barracuda. I contacted FFI and got their adapter. The splines are excellent and the adapter fits on both the steering box and the steering column just fine. The problem is it's still not long enough. I checked with Firm Feel, and they said "Some of the column shafts have a collapsible safety feature, which I've seen happen many times and guys thought their column was too short. See if you can get it to extend any more." The adapter I have is 3 3/4" long, and it looks like I need one that is 5 1/8". I cannot for the life of me find a way to get any more play out of the column. It's snug against the inner firewall and pushed in as far as I can tell it can go. What am I missing here?

 

[Oklacarcollecto]

There is a shear pin in the column and if it is broken them the steering shaft needs replaced or repaired.

 

[1969383S]

Nylon pin. You can repair by melting some back in after re-alignment or using some other substance that will break in case of an accident allowing it to collapse.

 

[67CUDA273]

Thanks guys. I'll take the column back out and tear back into it. Appreciate the help!

 

[bobscuda67]

Yes, your column is collapsed. I just repaired a manual shaft that I bought that was collapsed.
I drove it apart with a block of wood back to where the sheer pins lined up. I drilled out the pins and used some JB Weld to fill in the holes. It still has the ability to collapse.

 

[67CUDA273]

Yes, your column is collapsed. I just repaired a manual shaft that I bought that was collapsed.
I drove it apart with a block of wood back to where the sheer pins lined up. I drilled out the pins and used some JB Weld to fill in the holes. It still has the ability to collapse.

You nailed it. Pulled the inner shaft out and found the shear pins..sheared. There was a little piece of it left in only one of the 4 holes. I extended the shaft back out and reassembled. It was still really snug so I didn't add any pins back in. Adapter fits! Thanks all