Does this look right? Box is bolted in, but don't think I have enough depth into the rag joint... thoughts?
That looks like the joint needs to go down more to me, the bolt should pass through that blank space between the 2 splines sections......this is what keeps the from sliding up
You may have to loosen the clamps in the dash side of the firewall and the engine side of the firewall to get the steering mast and cover (column assembly) to get it to move towards the gearbox to get the proper alignment for the bolt to pass through. Best if you can get all components slightly loose, and then "settled" before tightening everything back up.
You can spread the job some to help it slide on farther.....use a flat blade in the gap, grease the shaft spline and it should drop down faily easily
Maybe you already know, but, the bolt must be removed completely before the spline can engage deep enough to reinsert the bolt into/through the groove. It will not engage with the bolt in there.
Bingo! Thanks all, very helpful. Loosened it all back up, pulled two of the three mounting bolts so it could pivot, pulled the rag joint bolt out instead of just super loose, made sure the splines were aligned and it slid home like butter. Didn't even scratch the new paint