Jeep mod-upper joint play?

[C10wip]

I put in the Jeep steering mod recently, with a '94 Cherokee as the donor. However, there is some play in the upper joint of the Jeep shaft. The shaft easily rotates back and forth ( closing the gap you see above the "M" ). This adds noticeable play to the system, but it looks like this is by design. I put heat to the shaft to collapse it but did not heat this area. Is there a rubber bushing or something in there that is shot?
I have seen the same type of joint in some of the DIY writeups, but my question is - has anyone had the same issue, and what did they do about it? I am tempted to tack the the two parts together. What do you think?

[Zane M]

Yes, there is a rubber bushing/isolator in there and it is shot.

I had the same issue as you and I just replaced my shaft.

Smarter people than me will have to comment on if it would be a good idea to weld the parts together.

[C10wip]

OK thanks. If it's toast then I'll try tacking it together as the piece is pretty solid; if that doesn't work I'll get another one. It looks there is also solid shaft GM version that the Monte Carlo guy mc87ss rebuilds/sells so apparently it's done like that in some applications.

Still though, if anyone knows that welding would be a bad idea, let me know.

[clapage6]

you CAN weld it. there was a very long thread I used to have bookmarked from another forum but yeah it's originally there to dampen road vibration. Some argued that it was also another small area for collapse in the shaft for safety. I believe the final consensus is as long as you do not weld the other seem with the plastic guides. It is fine. That seem is proven to allow the steering shaft to collapse in front end impact so the steering wheel doesn't come towards the driver and do some serious damage. This shaft swap was the best mod I've done so far for sure.

[cory d]

the bushing in my jeep steering shaft was shot, so i grabbed the welder! i can feel the shaft bind when i brake or accelerate hard. i might try heating the shafts so they can collapse.

[willett]

What's the benefit of doing the swap? Just to eliminate the rag joint?

[walkerb]

Originally Posted by willett

What's the benefit of doing the swap? Just to eliminate the rag joint?

Yes, thats my understanding of it.

[cory d]

so far im not really diggin it. i will see how it is after i do polly
cab bushings

[arrover]

Yes I think people have welded the joint right above where it says "NaCam" on your shaft. My shaft does not have those ears so mine is unwelded. I think those are safety ears just in case the rubber isolator gets loose. I believe the thread clapage6 is talking about is on ck5.com but you may have to be a member to view it. This only works with trucks around 1981 and up. Before that had a different steering column end. Here's a how-to that I did on the swap:

73-87 Chevy/GMC Truck Steering Upgrade - Jeep...

[cory d]

74 column, good old angle grinder and some finesse and it works

[C10wip]

Thanks. I welded them together yesterday, just a short bead on one side since this really doesn't take too much load.
In case any one else is going to do this with a wire feed welder ( like I have) - I ground off a bit of the paint on the heavy part of the joint ( the part that says NACAM ) and used that as a ground; didn't want to take the chance of it arcing internally in the shaft's u-joint.
Took it for a short drive and the difference was noticeable. I actually had the opposite problem possibly from cory d - the shaft were collapsing too easily and this part of the joint was riding up so this solved two problems.

[iceship]

I thing in going to go and get one today. ..

[iceship]

Ok I got the shaft in and then I broke a bolt... I felt it, but it does feel better