URGENT - Steering Shaft displaced from Bracket (Lifted Hilux)

[jesterminute]

(okay okay, I know it's bad etiquette to post URGENT BUT i figured it's got more chance of catching someone's eye here than there - mucho apologies nevertheless).

Short version - Have fitted a 1.5" body lift, had loosened the 'pinch bolt' holding the steering clamp from the steering shaft and now, with the lift, I have no steering (as the shaft is now 1.5 inches above the clamp.

Why did I do this? well, because as far as I knew i'd removed the two correct nuts from the clamp - basically when I lifted the thing I expected to be able to split the clamp in half. This wasn't the case as I'd loosened the wrong two bolts (the _other two bolts are seized).

So. Question.

1. The steering shaft...any easy to obtain _longer_ steering shafts (and easy to swap).

2. is there any way of seperating the rubber from the two bolts I _have_ loosened (at the moment it seems wedged on tight). For reference, using the linked image, the two nuts I've removed are from the bolts _without_ washers. The ones _with_ washers are seized (and with the wheel turned 3/4 lock i can't get to the other even if they weren't).

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/...eering_mod.jpg

3. Any other ways of bodging a link from the shaft to the clamp?

The urgency comes from the fact that I was meant to be taking my missus camping in the thing. No good if I can't steer!

Winning suggestion gets a crate of beer (but only decent stuff, not shitty lager).

Much thanks for your patience and time.

Ant

[jesterminute]

OR. Can something like a steering shaft extension be procured in the UK?

link attached?

http://www.vehiclemods.net.au/images...-extension.jpg

[Growler]

Did you undo "ALL" the pinch bolts ?

I found three on the 2nd gen, as in £ joints to undo, some are under the dash inside the truck.

I had a 2" lift on mine and didn't need an extension.

I'd imagine it is similiar on the 3rd Gen

[jesterminute]

Anyone able to verify if the gen 3 one is similar?
I could effectively drop it from the top then I imagine.

That being said, I was planning on removing the lift from the drivers side in the hope it dropped the whole thing enough to re attach the column to clamp.

[jesterminute]

aaaand after much fighting it's done.

I ended up lowering the drivers side down again and fought and swore against the two bolts that remained on the clamp that were seized.

I ended up using Halfords Shock and Unlock (or something like that) and a WD40 equivalent....and a dremmel....and a hammer...and swearing.

but ultimately it got undone and I could take the bracket apart, lube it up and ram it back in with the 1.5" lift block.

Much thanks to BUSHWACKER and GROWLER for support and advice in getting this lift done. It would have been easy if it wasn't for the seized bolts

Ant

[BUSHWHACKER]

Damn, I missed this thread!
So all sorted now?
Any photos?

No photos = didn't happen.

[jesterminute]

So. Taken it for a run around the block. Runs okay so I don't need to bugger with the auto box.

two problems :

1. I put the steering wheel on the wrong way round. Or to put it another way. I put the steering plate on the wrong way round and now when my wheels are straight my steering wheel is upside down.

I will fix that....later.

2. The steering in general feels a lot stiffer/harder work. Any idea why that might be or is that a common side effect?

Prob definately needs fixing as I quite liked being able to spin the wheel around etc and currently it just sticks in position.

Anyway. Pictures!

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8Ud...it?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8Ud...it?usp=sharing

[Growler]

2. The steering in general feels a lot stiffer/harder work. Any idea why that might be or is that a common side effect?

Check it's not rubbing/catching on the firewall

[jesterminute]

Is there a way of getting eyes on the point at which steering shaft and firewall meet?

If you 3/4 turn the wheel to the right it loosens up again (quite suddenly) going back to stiffness when the wheel fires back left. Don't know yet if it does the same thing when going left.

Currently on our way to sunny Wales, I hear they have left turns there so I'll find out.

Ant

[Justjoe90]

I had to extend my steering column on the gen 3 when fitting a 2" body lift the kit came with a spacer that bolted in where the rubber flexy sorta joint is just above the steering rack and my steering feels as light and normal as it did before, but i know not all kits come with the spacer for steering column so things have to be made!