This is being done to a 70 auto, converting from column shift to floor shift. I bought a used floor shift column from member on this site. I also installed a NAPA quick ratio box. When I went to joint the coupler to the intermediate shaft it was about 5/8 to 3/4" short. I pulled yanked pushed did everything I could with no luck. Finally slid the two rectangular aluminum washers(for the lack of a better term) on the steering column bracket. It's the ones with holes(one elongated the other round) that the two bolts that hold the column up against the dash. I moved them(the rectangular pieces the bolts go through) toward the dash so that the column could be moved enough to join the coupler. I don't know if I did the right thing. Was I sold the wrong column? It's supposed to work for a 70. The lever at the end of the floor shift is straighter and shorter than the one on the column shift column that I took out. I hope I've explained myself so you can understand my dilemma. I also replaced the #2 body bushing with a new rubber one and haven't torgued it to specs yet(need to find out what they are) but I don't think it would make that much of a difference, would it? Thanks Pete

Did you get another intermediate steering shaft with the new steering column? If you did, check to see if it is the same length as the one you originally had in the car. Maybe you can use your original shaft if it is longer.

Even if you are using your original intermediate steering shaft, is it possible that it was collapsed by an inch or two? The shaft is in two pieces. Where they join together has some plastic injected into the junction to keep it at a set length.

You might try and extend the intermediate steering shaft. Even if you shear the plastic in the joint, your steering is safe. The worst that can happen is that the joint might develop a small amount of lash over time. The two pieces shouldn't just pull apart however. The end of the solid shaft is staked open such that it will not allow the two parts to come apart without a lot of force.

The two rectangular aluminum parts are called capsules. They fit into slots that are part of the column mounting bracket. They also have a small amount of plastic injected into the junction of the capsule to the column mounting bracket. From reading your description it sounds as if you broke the plastic so that the capsules are now almost out of engagement with the column bracket. I would be concerned that your steering column is or will become quite loose since you disturbed the mounting of those capsules.

I could also suggest carefully measuring your original steering column and compare it to your new floor shift model.
1). Measure both columns from the center of the capsule mounting holes to the end of the steering column shaft where it connects to the intermediate shaft pot coupling. The two column should have identical measurements within a 1/4 inch or so.
2). The steering column shafts coming out of the steering columns are also made in two pieces and are injected to hold them at a set length. (The junction is up inside the steering column.) Sometimes the steering column gets dropped or otherwise damaged such that the steering shaft gets pounded back up inside the column. It isn't easy, but you can usually find something to get a grip on the end of the shaft and pull it back out to its original length.

Hope these ideas help.
Jim

Jim,
I used the original intermediate shaft. It appears to be fine and not collapsed. Yes I did brake the capsule plastic. Can I reglue them? If so what should I use? I will measure the shafts tonight. I'm also concerned that the lever the transmission linkage attaches to is diffrent between the columns. Are there different linkages that go from the column to the trans? It looks like the current linkage besides binding might hit the proportioning valve or brake line(converted from power drums to disk). As always I appreciate your help. Pete

The lever on the bottom of your original column connected to the rod that shifted the transmission. The lever on the bottom of the floor shift column is the lever that is pushed all the way UP when you shift your floor shifter into REVERSE (manual trans) or into PARK (automatic). All I can say is the linkage, bellcrank, hardware is somewhat different between the column shift and the backdrive floor shift.

This link may give you a little more detailed information:
http://www.corvettefaq.com/acar/StrgColumnTransInterlockSystems.doc

Jim