i have a datsun 1200 ute 1980 model. I replaced the streering wheel tube because i buggered the thread. now i put it back on and the shaft doesnt turn the wheels anymore :'( can anyone give me some avdvice or a reason for this?? thanx

I can see NO reason for this.
If it's a collapsible steering column, then it's collapsible section is designed so that even if it collapses, that you can still steer the car. The ball-nut on the end, in the steering box, doesn't easily come apart. If you replaced the steerign shaft, and ballnut, then you must be aware that you need to fully dissassemble the steering box, and follow the Factory Servicde Manual, to understand how to put it back together, and in what order. You can'r remove the steering shaft, without fully rebuilding the steering box.

Can you explain more clearly what you did to get into this situation?

Chris

we replaced the tube but didnt take the shaft out. Now the steering has excess play in it... about 1/4 turn of the steering wheel. Do we have to re-adjust the steering box or something?

Yes,

The excessive play is either due to worm gear/ball-nut wear, or a collapsed lower bearing. Are you sure that you didn't jiggle the shaft out? It's easy to get out, but if the bearing slips out from under the shaft, then it's really hard to get back together, unless you remove the pitman arm from the
box, and follow the instructions by assembling the top part, loading it to the corrrect torque, but adding/removing shims between the tube and the box. Then you reassemble the box.

To have a 1/4 turn laziness in the steering, the bottom bearing must have slipped out.
I know this, because I removed the bottom bearing in my 1200 steering box, so I can easily get it apart, while my project car is in the shed getting rebuilt. I've got a second steering assembly that I rebuilt, that will go in the car when it's finished.

Chris.