Brand new steering shaft, still lots of play - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JMD · 10-05-2016, 11:41 PM

Hi all,
Working on my 67 k10 with power steering, I recently installed LMC's "tilt column install kit" which includes a rag joint, intermediate shaft, and a U-joint for the end of the column. The DD intermediate shaft slips in to the rag joint just fine and everything looks nice. However, the slip joint has a severe amount of play (severe for a brand new part anyway) that will translate into a few degrees of slop at the steering wheel. I don't see how I could have installed it wrong, is there something I'm missing? Does the sleeve need to be crushed a bit or maybe filled with silicone?

joeydurango · 10-06-2016, 09:15 AM

My guess is simply poor manufacturing tolerances on that part. The repro stuff out there - particularly from LMC, in my experience - isn't that great.

JMD · 10-06-2016, 09:38 AM

I feel the same about LMC, some stuff is great, some stuff is not...I should be able to put that sleeve in a press and crush it a little bit, right?

67ChevyRedneck · 10-06-2016, 10:11 AM

? Are you sure that's where your play is coming from? That *looks* like a snug fit to me, are you sure the play isn't in your steering box?

joeydurango · 10-06-2016, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

? Are you sure that's where your play is coming from? That *looks* like a snug fit to me, are you sure the play isn't in your steering box?

Good point... also double-check the intermediate shaft slip joint, as they can easily have some play.

Shinysideup · 10-06-2016, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

? Are you sure that's where your play is coming from? That *looks* like a snug fit to me, are you sure the play isn't in your steering box?

I agree on that thought. A little play in all the joints can add up as well.

JMD · 10-06-2016, 02:06 PM

That's definitely where all the play is coming from, everything else is rock solid. Maybe I can find some metal shims to jam in there? What's the purpose of that slip joint anyway?

**leddzepp** · 10-06-2016, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

? Are you sure that's where your play is coming from? That *looks* like a snug fit to me, are you sure the play isn't in your steering box?

This.

JMD · 10-06-2016, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leddzepp

This.

I promise you guys it's not the gear box or anything in the column, it's this slip joint

If I grab each piece and twist in opposite directions the slop is very obvious and I can hear a loud "clunk". Plus the box and column are also brand new...

I guess tomorrow I'll put some heat on it and see if I can close that tolerance up. Seems ridiculous that I'm having to do this to new parts. I'd return it but I already cut the shaft down to size so I doubt they'd accept it.

JMD · 10-15-2016, 10:37 PM

Just an update, some heat and a vice did the trick!

indymachinist · 10-06-2016, 02:19 PM

The purpose of that slip joint is in case of a front end crash that needs to be able to compress to stop you from eating the steering wheel.

You could probably pinch it lightly in a vice to smash it a bit tighter... not sure that I would do that vs. just sending it back and getting a better one though.

brad_man_72 · 10-06-2016, 08:36 PM

Heat it red hot, then quickly cool. Should snug it up a bit. Or crush/bend slightly. Or put a small tack weld on it.

10-05-2016, 11:41 PM	#1
JMD Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Grand Rapids Michigan Posts: 291	Brand new steering shaft, still lots of play Hi all, Working on my 67 k10 with power steering, I recently installed LMC's "tilt column install kit" which includes a rag joint, intermediate shaft, and a U-joint for the end of the column. The DD intermediate shaft slips in to the rag joint just fine and everything looks nice. However, the slip joint has a severe amount of play (severe for a brand new part anyway) that will translate into a few degrees of slop at the steering wheel. I don't see how I could have installed it wrong, is there something I'm missing? Does the sleeve need to be crushed a bit or maybe filled with silicone? Attached Images __________________ My build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...96#post7439296

10-06-2016, 09:15 AM	#2
joeydurango Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Durango, CO Posts: 827	Re: Brand new steering shaft, still lots of play My guess is simply poor manufacturing tolerances on that part. The repro stuff out there - particularly from LMC, in my experience - isn't that great. __________________ 1972 K10 Cheyenne Super \| LWB, fleetside \| 350/350/205 \| KEEPER 1971 K10 Cheyenne \| SWB, fleetside \| LS Swap 5.3/4L60 \| SOLD 1976 Trans Am \| 400/4-spd \| SOLD 1976 Trans Am \| 455/4-spd \| TOTALED

10-06-2016, 09:38 AM	#3
JMD Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Grand Rapids Michigan Posts: 291	Re: Brand new steering shaft, still lots of play I feel the same about LMC, some stuff is great, some stuff is not...I should be able to put that sleeve in a press and crush it a little bit, right? __________________ My build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...96#post7439296

10-06-2016, 10:11 AM	#4
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Brand new steering shaft, still lots of play ? Are you sure that's where your play is coming from? That looks like a snug fit to me, are you sure the play isn't in your steering box? __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

10-06-2016, 02:06 PM	#7
JMD Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Grand Rapids Michigan Posts: 291	Re: Brand new steering shaft, still lots of play That's definitely where all the play is coming from, everything else is rock solid. Maybe I can find some metal shims to jam in there? What's the purpose of that slip joint anyway? __________________ My build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...96#post7439296

10-15-2016, 10:37 PM	#10
JMD Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Grand Rapids Michigan Posts: 291	Re: Brand new steering shaft, still lots of play Just an update, some heat and a vice did the trick! __________________ My build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...96#post7439296

10-06-2016, 02:19 PM	#11
indymachinist Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Indanapolis, IN Posts: 603	Re: Brand new steering shaft, still lots of play The purpose of that slip joint is in case of a front end crash that needs to be able to compress to stop you from eating the steering wheel. You could probably pinch it lightly in a vice to smash it a bit tighter... not sure that I would do that vs. just sending it back and getting a better one though. __________________ -Curt My 1968 Chevy shortbed stepside build

10-06-2016, 08:36 PM	#12
brad_man_72 the boat guy Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: springfield mo Posts: 2,339	Re: Brand new steering shaft, still lots of play Heat it red hot, then quickly cool. Should snug it up a bit. Or crush/bend slightly. Or put a small tack weld on it. __________________ 67, swb, fleet, tach, throttle, 5.3, 4l60e, 3.73's, fuel cell, 5 lug, p.d.b., 4-6 drop. great little truck 66, stevens drag/ski 18' silouette, 350, 2.02 doublehump heads. comp extreme marine 278 cam, vette 7 fin valve covers, old polished edelbrock intake, velvetdrive, casale v-drive, adj cavitation plate. 28, model a rpu project,

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