Aspire: Can't spline steering column back into car

[getnpsi]

Posted this on the aspire site but it gets traffic like...Kansas...
I found out what was killing my clutch cables. The tack welds failed on the bracket which let it rub back and forth. Anyway i went to a yard and got the whole bracket which was a pain to take off, as its bolted to the back of the master cylinder. Anyway the proper way to get it out of the car is to remove the steering column completely. I did this and now, am having the worst time reinstalling it into the car. i put it on half way to be able to move the car, but afraid if i leave it like that, i may hit a bump and lose steering of the car and crash. First i tried putting the u-joint on the column and sliding it onto the rack, and failed. Then i tried putting on the rack end and sliding the column on and cant do it that way either. It sucks because i did get it on 2 seperate times and just can't anymore. Is there anyone here with autobody shop experience or something that knows a trick to get this car back on the road? Just as this happened price of gasoline dropped like a rock so ive gotten lazy to fix it but i need this finished. I have the worst kind of BS luck with cars. Nothing that is "supposed" to screw up ever does...its the weird most annoying stuff that you just cant take to a mechanic for a quick fix.

[fastivaca]

Are the splines indexed? If they are the shaft will only go back together one way.

[getnpsi]

if you mean index like a flat spot where a bolt goes thru, then yes It's just a total b**** to do. Even the neighborhood kids (kids meaning 18ish, not 12) wont do it for 40 bucks or beer or both. I think they have seen me struggling with it a week while they skated by and KNOW its a problem LOL.

[mechanicaldj]

can't you just drop the steering column to maneuver onto the shaft

but i really hope the airbag and clock spring is not on the column or you may be replacing the clock spring

[jglutz]

I'm not to sure what you are having problem......

Where did you disconect to remove the column?

To slide the spline back into the universal at the end of the column, the bolt that draws the female spline together must be removed. Once the bolt is removed place a pry-driver into the female universal gap and pry it open a little bit....then slode the column into the universal and re-install the bolt. Hope that helps.

[getnpsi]

The column comes off like most cars...two bolts to hang it under the dash, and a u-joint with 2 bolts. Its pretty strong and cannot be pryed open more.

the airbag and everything is intact. i am careful with it and when i spin the wheel around it isnt even connected. if i break that stuff who cares. I can tell if my turn signal is on, im not old.

[getnpsi]

UPDATE: FIXED IT! airbag and steering wheel puts a lot of weight on the wrong end and with them off, i had the car back together in less than an hour. It took THAT long because i had to scrounge more nuts and bolts that had been kicked around. NEXT is to pull the column off again and find myself a tilter