GreenLightGo

While inspecting underneath my car I found my lower steering coupling joint, part # 53323-S2A-000, to look similar to the following photo (I borrowed this photo from google as I could not figure out how to quickly attach my own images into this post). My steering shaft appears to only be about 3/4-1" into the splined joint, which is about halfway into the coupling joint leaving about 1/2" of spline empty/unused inside the joint coupler and leaving about 1" sticking outside of the joint (on the steering shaft side).
1)Is this correct or does the steering shaft need to be inserted all the way into the joint coupler using all available spline? Right now only a little over half of the spline is used up to the point just alittle past the tightening bolt. Perhaps this is normal and the extra spline is only there for the joint to slide up in removal?
2)If this is the normal, then is there an aftermarket lower steering joint that would use all of the available spline to make a tighter joint?

Note 1: I found this photo below on google. Is there away to attach my own photos directly, or do I have to upload to another site and link to them?
Note 2: My car is an 2002 AP1 with 21,000 miles and I am the 2nd owner. I think this is how the steering joint was connected from the factory. I just wanted to confirm it was correct as it seems the joint would be tighter if the joint was inserted further using all available spline.

Thanks in advance for any help or advice!! I am loving my s2k so far. This is my first one and have owned it for about 5 months.

GreenLightGo

Ok, here are links to the exact photos from my car (uploaded to flickr) (right-click to open in new tab). I put the red lines on the photos to show about how far the steering shaft goes into the coupling joint. How does this compare to your cars? Is this correct? Thanks again for any advice or help!!
Flickr Photo 1
Flickr Photo 2
Flickr Photo 3
Flickr Photo 4

RedCelica

Moved to Under the Hood. Photo is a little blurry.

See this thread: https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/746...joint-splines/

99SH

NO, you need to correct that before driving any further. Your safety and that of others is at risk.

The pinch bolt has to ride over the flat surface of the steering shaft (it prevents it from backing out)

Billman250

What you are seeing is completely normal. That blank surface is there to allow coupler slide-back with the top bolt in place.

You're fine.

GreenLightGo

Thanks for the response! I did track down a service manual and I think mine is installed correctly. I think my pinch bolt is on the flat surface, probably at the far right end of the flat surface, but as long as it's held in by the flat surface then it should not come out. I still can't help but wonder if the steering would feel more solid if the steering shaft was inserted in further though..? Are most people's steering connected up like mine in the pic above and attached Flickr photos? Or do some people fit a longer coupler or adjust the other steering joints to allow the shaft to insert further? Perhaps it is fine, but I am actually currently trying to figure out how to improve and tighten up my steering feel.

Billman250

There is nothing wrong with your coupler positioning, they all sit just like yours.

Car Analogy

OP, since you're new, you may not realize this is the guy you always listen to...