Heidts R&P hook up and shaft kit

My father-in-law recently installed a TCI front sub on his 64 , he also bought the hook up kit (joints and shaft) plus the splined steering shaft kit from Heidts , to use in his original column . The problem is that he installed the splined shaft in his column , and it will slide forward and backward in the column (I.E. -you could pull on the steering wheel and pull the whole shaft out of the column!) . He doesn't have a clue what the problem is and says that there were no instructions included with the kit (He tends to not be very organized is his disassembly and storage of parts and peices , kinda like a snake in a bushhog ). I haven't looked at the column and don't remember how everything went together when I rebuilt it a couple of years ago , but I am charged with the task of fixing it .
I know the original shaft was part of the steering box and could be slid out of the column , is there some sort of keeper below the steering wheel that you install to keep it stationary on the new shaft ? Or what keeps the shaft in the right position ? Like I said , I haven't looked at it yet , but I wanted to ask you guys about it since I did a search , and read through 8 pages on the topic with no real history on the topic . I tend to think that the fix is going to something simple like he left out a retainer ring or something , since too many people have installed this conversion without any problems . Thanks for your help , Terry

I sell lots of those shaft kits along with the subeframe units. The shaft replaces the original shaft that is part of the steering box. Heidt's supplies a urethane bushing that goes in the lower end of the column tube. The shaft has a 3/4-36pline on the bottom. Heidt's provides a 3/4-36 x 3/4 smooth bore u-joint to go on the shaft. The joint goes on the spline and pushes against the bushing. When the set screw is tightened the shaft will not pull upward. The joint can be adjusted up and down the spline to get the proper gap between the steering wheel and the upper column. Once the set screw is tightened and a mark is made on the spline you should remove the u-joint and drill a dimple in the shaft so the set screw will go into it. This is a safety issue so that if the set screw loosens a little you will not pull the shaft and wheel out of the u-joint. If this happened it would ruin your day. As a extra saftey precaution I would drill a 3/16 hole through the joint and shaft 90 degrees from the set screw and drive a roll pin into it. That way it could never fall off.
Tim

Thanks Tim , so the u-joint holds the new shaft in , easy enough ! I thought it odd that there was no retainer or keeper to hold the shaft , learn something new every day . Like I posted earlier , I didn't install the shaft in the column , just measured and built the u-joint/shaft for him . I purposely haven't been working on his car to force him to gain some hands on experience and confidence , usually when I help him , I end up doing it while he watches . lol .
btw He purchased the clip and steering kits from you , thank you for the good service and response to this thread , we need more vendors like you . Terry