1999 K1500 Suburban Steering Box connect
 

On a 1999 4x4 Suburban, replacing ball joints(upper and lower both sides),both tie rods, pitman arm, and Idler arm.

Need help!

Started work this weekend but stuck on something. I had to remove the steering box to get the pitman arm off and the new one on and torqued down to specs (170lbs.. ugg). It went back in but I cant get the steering column to seat fully on the slotted stud coming out of the steering box. I've got the compression collar at the end of the steering column as loose as i feel comfortable (dont want to back the screw out all the way, or can you?). It still has about 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch to go before it is fully seated. It is lined up correctly and did go partly on. Any suggestions?

Also, is there any way to tell if the steering dampener is worn? This is what attaches to the idler arm and bolts to the frame(maybe called a idler-arm mounting bracket instead of a dampener). Since I am changing the idler arm and I have the dampener, I want to to this at the same time if necessary. Picture of the part included below.


Attachment 16095
The lower ball joints have to be pressed in on a 4x4 by a shop, what a pain!

Thanks loads.

Response
 

Remove the bolt completely, then lightly tap on the flexiblejoint just above splined connection, make sure the splines are aligned first so no damage occurs. If they are not aligned you can bump the pitman arm (prior to attaching the stud to steering linkage) and hold the steering columb from above to obtain alignment. Looking down on the steering columb the pinchbolt head is at 12 o'clock aligned with the power steering line on the steering box, the flat of the shaft on the box is on the bottom or 6 o'clock at least thats how mine was oriented. I loosly mounted the box to the frame first, the frigin box is heavy and a bitch to do alone, it's possible but an extra pair of hands will help alot.