How should I get the lower column bearing seal to fit well?

[robroy]

Hi Folks!

Today I put my steering box on the frame and attached it to the shaft, then went about adjusting the column to get it at the proper height.

Even with the bolts on the clutch/brake pedal bracket adjusted so the column sits as low as possible, the lower bearing seal doesn't contact the bearing. This is really surprising to me since it was a perfect fit before I took it apart.

Here's a photo of what I'm talking about:



How should I adjust the column/shaft so the seal fits snugly right under the lower bearing?

I see a collar right under the seal that I could loosen and raise up a little bit. Is that the right way to do it? As I understand it there are three ways to adjust this:

1. Raise or lower the collar on the steering shaft.
2. Adjust the two bolts where the column fastens in the cab, right under the steering wheel. (This is already at its max in my truck.)
3. Raise or lower the rag joint slightly on the steering box input shaft. (I haven't tried this at all).

What's the best way to go about this?

Thanks very much!
-Robroy

[FORDification]

The easiest (and recommended) way would be to just slide the retaining collar up on the shaft...but since it's only got to go a small amount, you could also get away with sliding the rag joint up a tiny bit.

[robroy]

Hey Keith! Thanks for the advice! I'll just slide the collar up a little.

I was a little concerned about having to do this because I thought it might be an indication that I put it together wrong! But I guess things just like up differently each time it's all ripped apart and put back together, especially with lots of new parts.

Thanks again Keith,
-Robroy