Steering shaft with alignment mechanism disposed in an end thereof to facilitate aligned fixation with a clamp yoke

A steering shaft and clamp yoke assembly, comprising:

• a clamp yoke having an annular wall with a through bore and a fastener opening configured for receipt of a clamp fastener therein;
• a steering shaft extending along a central longitudinal axis between opposite first and second end portions terminating at respective first and second ends, a pocket extending axially into said first end, said first end portion being configured for receipt in said through bore of said clamp yoke;
• and
• a flag device having a body configured for receipt in said pocket and a flag extending radially outwardly from said body, said flag being configured to obstruct said fastener opening until said steering shaft is inserted into said through bore to a predetermined insertion position.

A steering assembly, comprising:

• a pinion shaft;
• a clamp yoke having an opening for receiving an end of the pinion shaft and having a fastener opening for receiving a fastener that clamps the clamp yoke to the pinion shaft;
• and
• a blocking member having a body disposed within an aperture of the pinion shaft and having a blocking segment extending from the main segment positioned to block the counter bore during an insertion range of the pinion shaft within the central opening and being clear of the counter bore at a predetermined insertion position.