Mine looks identical to that too. It will not budge at all. If you would have drilled it out, are there splines on the inside that will keep the shaft from rotating?I was totally unable to collapse or expand my steering shaft. No amount of hammering would free it up. So very carefully I compressed it in a hydraulic press and checked fit. Did this several times, creeping up to the final length until the cross bolts would drop in and then stopped there. It appears the Chevy factory installed these shafts then punched a divot into them so they wouldn't move. View attachment 526
Now I looked at a few of the shafts at the DF shop, and they all had it, but none appeared as deeply dimpled as mine. I could have probably drilled it out or something but I was too worried about damaging the inner shaft and making it worse so left it alone. Works fine, can't see any reason it would need to move while rotating.
Just a matter of not shortening it too much as extending it back would probably be much more difficult than compressing.
I do not know but I'd assume there has to be. Otherwise the people that have shafts that do collapse would also rotate.Mine looks identical to that too. It will not budge at all. If you would have drilled it out, are there splines on the inside that will keep the shaft from rotating?
I'd bet money it won't. Worst case you get it to the correct length and weld it down. It's not like it's going to collapse as it is in a wreck anyway. There's no way mine would collapse in a wreck.I don't have a press and that's exactly what I'm worried about. I'd hate for the shaft to rotate.
Unfortunately I did not. Was really looking forward to it but life has a way of getting in the way! Plus when I signed up I didnt realize you had to select either a morning or afternoon slot. By the time I knew this all the afternoons were gone and I had to work in the morning. Next time!Did you make it to COTA? We need an update!