Steering shaft spline engagement, how much is enough?

Took the body lift out of the truck last week and pulled the damn steering extension (rusty PITA!). I expected to have more than 1" engagement between the male/female parts (isn't that always the case). The milled index goes to the pinch-bolt side, correct? Wasn't sure because the steering wheel is now upside down when the wheels are straight. Anyway, how deep is enough?

 

Once the shaft goes in, there is a bolt that goes in. If it goes in, you're good I would assume

 

get your steering wheel straight first. having it turned to one side will mess with the clock-spring engagement

 

Don't I need to align the spline index to the pinchbolt and then use the tie-rod adjustment to straighten the steering wheel?

 

not if you're already a full turn. disconnecting the shaft without marking is a little on the bad side.

straighten your steering wheel, then align the index as close as possible (if your "wheels" are also close to straight).

if you only use the tie rods you will run out of room on one side and never get it straight. ideally you want close to the same amount of thread showing on each tie rod, but it will never be exact

 

Yeah, I thought the splines could only engage if the notch was in a certain place so I didn't bother to mark it. If it can slip together with any clocking I'll go ahead and line up the wheels then just fine tune with the tie rod adjustment.

 

Hey so of course being the genius I am I turned my wheel extensively with the rack off . Granted I bought a new clock spring so I can fix that but how do I get the steering wheel lined up ? Just straighten the wheels then bolt it up ? I never touched the tie rods so in theory they should be exactly where I need them correct ?