Steering Gear! Is this supposed to have a cap over the spline?

Camshaft

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All: Putting the front end back together on my 300 drop top, and looking at my steering gear and universal. As per a 13 year lay off, I have plastic tubs of parts all over my garage and wondering if I am missing something. Is there supposed to be a cap over the spline that connects the steering column universal to the spline on the steering gear? See photos.
IMG_4055[1].JPG
 
The column piece simply slips further forward than what is showing now so that the cotter pin that goes in the hole you see there lines up with that groove you see above the exposed spine. Thus once that universal is fully slipped into position there should be no spine showing.
 
@Wollfen is correct, however, I think he meant to say roll pin, not cotter pin. Don't use a cotter pin but a roll pin to go in there. The hole is a little off centre and the roll pin sits in the groove on the spline. You need a punch to tap it into place. The roll pin by design is spring loaded and will squeeze to fit and will stay in place.

A cotter pin is way too weak and will shear off and drop out.
 
Thanks for your comments gentlemen. I understand that the square universal cover gets driven onto the shaft about another inch and that the pin goes in to hold it all together, but what about the round end of the shaft where it goes into the gear housing? It looks to me like there should be a dust boot or ?? that goes in between (Like the shape of a peanut butter jar lid) that fits over the housing to keep dust and junk out? No? Maybe I don't have that piece cause it does not exist! Camshaft
 
Make sure you line up the master spline before forcing it together.
It is like a key.

Alan
 
Having read more on the Borgeson box now, I wonder just how much of the "imporved steering feel" claimed is attributable to the box and how much is due to the increased caster when you use one? A good friend of mine is going to install one in his beefed up Satellite, so I will drive one first-hand soon. I find that the original mopar box when set up and adjusted correctly with suspension settings that achieve maximum caster above all else after accomodating acceptable camber, that the steering feel is pretty decent finally. For me, I will not depart so much from stock to consider a Borgeson box but I am interested in just how much improvement is achieved with one compared to a properly adjusted and aligned factory setup.

I have yet to hear of an apples to apples comparison of the results and would also like to experience for myself if the Borgeson box really is quiet with their coupler or not...............and just how close it comes to what I consider the perfect steering of my rack and pinion set up of my factory stock 1997 Chrysler Concorde.
 
I may be out of line here, but I wouldn't put that together until it's in the car.... With the wheels and steering wheel all lined up as close to straight as you can get it. One or two teeth off and you'll be bitchin' every time you drive it!
 
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