I need to lengthen steering shaft

[happyhunky]

Hello, I need to lengthen my collapsible steering shaft. The half to the steering box is 1" dd, and the half to the column is 3/4" dd. It then connects to a 3/4" X 1" dd ujoint to the steering column. My question is, can I separate my two piece steering shaft and put in a longer section of 3/4" dd shaft? Hopefully I can do this so I don't have to mess with more joints. I'm not sure how to separate the two shafts cause trying to pull them apart, they have a stop of some sorts on the end of the 3/4" dd shaft. I need the cheapest route possible. Thanks Lou

[Donaldo]

Is there a chance your steering shaft telescopes <-&-> maybe has an allen lock nut ?? Mine does - so perhaps...and I have seen different lengths of the D shafts listed on some of the truck part dealer sites.

[Dustint]

U-joints should have a set screw of some sort holding the shaft in place, some have a bolt that goes all the way through the end of the column, etc. worst case you have to redo all the joints if they are solid to the shaft. You can find all of the u-joints, and shaft on eBay or several sites just google 3/4dd joints or shaft. eBay proved to be the cheapest I found, but certainly not the only option.

[OrrieG]

The Astro van donor column I used had a hard plastic shear pin to let the shaft collapse, yours might have the same. I mated it to the steering box and column, drilled and tapped it for a set screw, and used the collapsable part as slip joint to allow forthe frame and cab flexing offroad

[happyhunky]

I'm not having trouble with the shaft collapsing or getting the joints on and off. I need to lengthen the shaft another 3 inches more than when it's fully entended. That's why I think it would be easiest to take out the existing 3/4" dd section and replace it with a 3" longer piece. But I don't know how to separate the 2 collapsible sections. Thanks for trying to help.

[Donaldo]

Is there a set screw or pin that rides in a groove on the 3/4" shaft - if so you can remove it and pull the shafts apart - mine has a piece od spring steel inside in a groove as a tensioner -

[happyhunky]

No, there is no set screw, pin, or groove on either of the shafts. Just a zert fitting up close to the joint that connects to the steering box.But thats on the far end of where the shafts expand and contract.

[happyhunky]

What is keeping these 2 collapsible dd steering shafts from coming apart? There is nothing from the outside that is holding them together.

[OrrieG]

When I did mine I determined the total travel and put it in the middle, if I remember right that gives me about 1.5" travel each way. Here is a photo. The Astro upper and lower are pinned and spot welded to the 74 center section. The lower section goes up into the upper at the rubber cover about 1.5" I figure if the cab and frame are separated my more than that I have other issues....

[_Ogre]

from the pic you posted it looks like you need to loosen the set screws and remove the dd shaft and just replace it will a longer dd shaft

[happyhunky]

perfect, thanks Ogre

[happyhunky]

You too Orrie!

[mr48chev]

Cool, something else to nab off an Astro Van when I go after a hydrovac off one.

HH Have you tried clamping the male piece in a vise and using a mallet or soft hammer to drive the other piece off? I'd think that if you have them so they will move there may be something inside causing them to hang up a bit and lot slip apart.

[Old Crow]

Might try taking the couplings off both ends and pushing the DD section through the back of the hollow piece instead of trying to pull it out the front.

[happyhunky]

Thanks Old Crow, That's what I did last night and finally got it out. It took alot of beating but finally came out. Thanks mucho!

[mr48chev]

I'll have to add that trick to my list of things to remember.