I changed my steering gear on my 69 Cutlass and have a question about how much spline should be exposed after the nut is tightened. I think it was similar before but don't recall. It is tapered and I have tightened it as far as I can get it using a 12" adjustable wrench. I don't have a socket that big or I would use a breaker bar on it. I will probably wind up buying one. Can someone confirm if this is correct?
thanks, Steve

 

Your adjustable wrench has nowhere near the ability to apply the correct 180-210 ft-lbs on that nut. Buy, borrow, or rent the correct socket and torque wrench.

 

I agree, I just thought it would snug up a lot more, then torque it. I guess it takes the torquing to get it tight, almost like a press.
thanks for clearing it up, I think. I'll pick up a socket today and see if I am capable of 200lbs.
Steve

 

So this is torqued to 190#. Is that typical to still have the splines exposed?
Steve

 

Yeah, that's normal. So long as you have several threads past the nut like that, you're good to go.

 

Just curious, did you use the crescent wrench to get the original nut off?

 

Yes, I did just use a adjustable wrench.

 

You may need a 4-5 foot long "tubular torque enhancer" to get that 200 Ft/lbs.

 

I was surprised, I used a 3/4" drive torque wrench and got it no problem. I was about 28" long. I also thought I would need to extend it.
Steve