Topic: Help, replacement rack and pinion won't fit

[nothingtodo]

Replacing the R&P on my 1979 due to faulty inner tie rods. I bought a replacement manual R&P from Rock Auto and looks fine, but discovered that the rag joint coupler needs a flat ground on the steering input shaft on the R&P and the replacement is perfectly round! Anyone seen this before? Not sure if I should grind a flat on shaft and use it or try to return it and find one that will work. For those of you who have replaced your manual R&P, where did you get yours from?

[amc49]

I myself have no trouble with putting a flat on but it is timed to make the steering wheel straight ahead and the rack centered end to end. You don't locate it just anywhere.

Flat not being there screams possibly wrong part, I would be double checking EVERYTHING else before I butchered the part to not be able to return it. Look close at the spline all the way around, some look round but one small tooth is missing to do the same as the flat.......... .........and not obvious until you look for it.

[rpaulsel]

I replaced mine on the '76 with a part from Speedway Motors.  It worked perfectly.