I went ahead and did it, from above as advertised. New coupling, along with a new steering lock and ignition tumbler.

Result: I was amazed by how much steering slack resulted from the coupler. I've seen many in much worse shape than this, yet my steering play went from about 1" to maybe .25". Just that difference made it worth it; with a new ignition lock to boot, it feels like a new car getting in and starting up.

Shutting down, though, I'm reminded of what I'm driving. I have time to get out of the car and lock up before the engine finishes it's death rattles. Oh well, time to chase some vacuum lines..



As for the install, I won't go through the whole thing, except for maybe some thoughts:

1. Pull the cluster, but do not disconnect the lines. This needs the extra space, but can be done completely from below.

2. Drop the steering jacket and shaft, by loosening the nuts without removal. Do this before removing the locking components. On installation, do not tighten these nuts until the locking system is fully reinstalled.

3. Completely remove the screw from the steering coupling connection to the steering shaft (the flat one, not the spline to the box) before removing the shaft. On the new coupling, do not insert this screw until the shaft is completely in place.

4. No need to even loosen the hex screw on the upper coupling. Just bring the whole jacket and shaft out together. Also, I've heard a rumor that you can pull an upper coupling from a pick'n'pull and replace the lower with it. Not true. The upper and lower parts are very different.

5. Put the coupler on the box first, you'll be able to sight it through the hole from the driver's seat. It took moderate force, wobbling, and wedging the coupler open slightly with a screwdriver.

6. I could not tighten the steering shaft nuts much until I had connected the steering wheel and gently rocked it left and right (steering lock removed at this point), which seemed to help seat the spline or flat connection. Everything then seemed to fit together quite well, and the nuts were easily tightened.

7. Not a lot of help for getting the ignition lock out or in. I think it went in like a 'T' with the socket for the tumbler to the right, and the steering lock down, up to where it's almost behind the cluster, then down into the steering jacket? Remember to drop everything down a little after you're done seating it. I did it with the big wire connected, but the vacuum and the smaller unhooked.

The steering lock seemed to be leaking wd-40 when I pulled it. Without the black cap, the silver plate of the tumbler hangs to one side.