72 nova rag joint

[Z06 KID]

hey i am workin on a 72 nova and am installing a new steering box as well as a new rag joint. im having a hell of a time getting the 3 steering box bolts to line up... everything matches up and i just cant get the 3 bolts started. anyone have any hints or tips. anything just to get me goin

[SSDude]

Put a little hair around the holes:thumbsup


Are the ends of the bolts booger-ed up? Can you start the bolts in the holes when its off of the frame?
If the bolts are good, try putting a long tapered punch in one of the holes to help line up the others.

[Z06 KID]

It bolts up without the rag joint on it but as soon as the joint is up in there I just can't get the bolts in cuz the box is on an angle. It don't wanna budge either

[Russ Jerome]

I had to loosen the gearbox to frame bolts a little on a 67 Chevel to get a guys hooked up, the angle was hard to work with before the bolt would line up.

[Rocket Power]

When I changed to a manual one in my 64 I bolted the box on then slid the column down to the box and bolted the joint together.

Got any pics of whats going on?

[frank_zappa_is_dead]

make sure the body mount arent toast. had it happen to me.

[jbiscuit]

Great thought. He thought of a similar idea though the body mount bushings were replaced but same basic issue could be there. IE the mounts/angle of the subframe could have shifted etc

[Z06 KID]

i think i actually figured it out... on novas there are spacers that go on top of the middle bushing.. there about 3/8 thick. when we took it all apart didnt realize that there were some spacers that came from there. im hopin that should be enough clearance when i find the other spacer... thanks for the help and ill let all know how it goes

[jbiscuit]

Good luck dude! You'll get it figured out!