Need help steering shaft repair - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

hayhauler71 · 12-09-2013, 10:33 PM

I am redoing my steering column and noticed that the rubber boot on the steering shaft [the rubber boot that holds grease in the slip joint] has failed and the slip joint is worn. I want to know if I should cut the shaft and replace the the slip joint with a 3/4 36 spline x 3/4 dd coupler or does a universal joint need to be installed. I will be drilling the shear pins out of the shaft so i will have a slip point. Any pics of modified shafts would be great. Thanks

1971 c 10

manual steering

**LockDoc** · 12-10-2013, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayhauler71

I am redoing my steering column and noticed that the rubber boot on the steering shaft [the rubber boot that holds grease in the slip joint] has failed and the slip joint is worn. I want to know if I should cut the shaft and replace the the slip joint with a 3/4 36 spline x 3/4 dd coupler or does a universal joint need to be installed. I will be drilling the shear pins out of the shaft so i will have a slip point. Any pics of modified shafts would be great. Thanks

1971 c 10

manual steering

If I were you I would just find a good stock replacement one...

LockDoc

hayhauler71 · 12-16-2013, 11:58 AM

ttt

hayhauler71 · 12-23-2013, 04:56 PM

Well some time has gone by and I have removed and body worked the shifter bowl to make it smooth and got the steering column stripped and painted and it is looking good. I did pick up a u joint that is a direct fit and looks good to. Next I sent the slip shaft with my buddy to mill it dd all the way so I can cut it to the proper length. Here is a few pics

**Ol Blue K20** · 12-23-2013, 05:15 PM

Looks nice, should work real nice

hayhauler71 · 12-23-2013, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

Looks nice, should work real nice

Thanks Dale the old joint had lots of play and I did not like the grease running out of the boot on my fenderwells

**Ol Blue K20** · 12-23-2013, 05:28 PM

If you replace the rag joint with a new one the steering should feel nice and tight. Some people replace the rag with a u joint as well but in my opinion that lets to much vibration to be felt at the steering wheel.

jammer3096 · 05-11-2014, 10:17 PM

How do people hook up the second u joint instead of rag joint? Does it take out more play than a new rag joint?

BLAZERMAN · 05-11-2014, 11:05 PM

Here's what I use on my trucks, early to mid 90s Jeep Cherokee steering shafts, it's almost a bolt in. You will have to heat and collapse the shaft just a little and on the columns shaft you will need to grind or file a very small notch to clear the Jeeps pinch bolt. The Jeeps shaft has a built in vibration damper and I've found this setup really helps firm up the Chevys steering. Practically a bolt in for around 30 bucks from a salvage yard.

BLAZERMAN · 05-11-2014, 11:06 PM

Another

BLAZERMAN · 05-11-2014, 11:07 PM

One more

airdale94 · 05-12-2014, 11:10 AM

Wow! Great information! Thanks!

jammer3096 · 05-26-2014, 11:43 PM

Does the universal joint slide all the way on column end until bottoms out or until flush with inside hole? Hopefully that makes sense. Lol

Leadbelly · 02-20-2016, 11:40 AM

Digging up an old bone but very appropriate to my question. Blazerman's photos give reference. Jeep splines are 3/4 -36? and the other is 3/4 DD? Like Borgeson unit but price is a bit steep.
Leadbelly

'68 Newtricks · 02-20-2016, 12:18 PM

I believe to. I have an XJ shaft on my Blazer and C10. Around here, they are about $6 from the yards. Most of the time the rubber at the top is worn and sloppy, so I weld it. Amazon sells new shafts for $99 last I saw. They are on most square body Cherokees, not the Grand Cherokee. 80s- early 90s

I've probably used or sold 20 of them.

thunderchicken · 04-20-2016, 07:13 PM

Just wanted to say thanks for the info. This is exactly what I was looking for. Best 10$ spent so far.
Posted via Mobile Device

**BlueBullet** · 09-24-2017, 02:43 PM

Does the Jeep steering shaft mod only work for manual steering boxes

Leadbelly · 09-24-2017, 07:23 PM

My guess, top yeah, double "D" and 3/4". As far as steering box do not know the spline count so no idea.
Leadbelly

**BlueBullet** · 09-24-2017, 07:29 PM

I got the steering shaft but it does not work for a 72 4x4 with power steering. I thought this worked for all 67-72. If so wondering what I might be missing.

crakarjax · 09-24-2017, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueBullet

I got the steering shaft but it does not work for a 72 4x4 with power steering. I thought this worked for all 67-72. If so wondering what I might be missing.

How many splines on your power steering box?

**BlueBullet** · 09-25-2017, 10:25 PM

32 splines

crakarjax · 09-26-2017, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueBullet

32 splines

From the info above, the jeep shaft looks to be 36 spline so I'm thinking it won't work.

Leadbelly · 09-26-2017, 12:19 PM

I found it quicker, much easier, and guaranteed to work going to CCP. I am switching to Borgsen just because I am not a fan of chrome polishing on the joints for my truck plan. Black are easily overlooked. Here is a link to my swap, from ordering parts bolting on new parts.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dodson...57662779313234

Sorry do not know if or how to post build pics.
Leadbelly

12-09-2013, 10:33 PM	#1
hayhauler71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: St. Paul MN. Posts: 1,996	Need help steering shaft repair I am redoing my steering column and noticed that the rubber boot on the steering shaft [the rubber boot that holds grease in the slip joint] has failed and the slip joint is worn. I want to know if I should cut the shaft and replace the the slip joint with a 3/4 36 spline x 3/4 dd coupler or does a universal joint need to be installed. I will be drilling the shear pins out of the shaft so i will have a slip point. Any pics of modified shafts would be great. Thanks 1971 c 10 manual steering __________________ Fuzzy

12-16-2013, 11:58 AM	#3
hayhauler71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: St. Paul MN. Posts: 1,996	Re: Need help steering shaft repair ttt __________________ Fuzzy

12-23-2013, 04:56 PM	#4
hayhauler71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: St. Paul MN. Posts: 1,996	Re: Need help steering shaft repair Well some time has gone by and I have removed and body worked the shifter bowl to make it smooth and got the steering column stripped and painted and it is looking good. I did pick up a u joint that is a direct fit and looks good to. Next I sent the slip shaft with my buddy to mill it dd all the way so I can cut it to the proper length. Here is a few pics Attached Images __________________ Fuzzy

12-23-2013, 05:15 PM	#5
Ol Blue K20 Proprietor of Dale's Corner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Vacaville , CA Posts: 16,245	Re: Need help steering shaft repair Looks nice, should work real nice __________________ "Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man R.I.P. FleetsidePaul

12-23-2013, 05:28 PM	#7
Ol Blue K20 Proprietor of Dale's Corner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Vacaville , CA Posts: 16,245	Re: Need help steering shaft repair If you replace the rag joint with a new one the steering should feel nice and tight. Some people replace the rag with a u joint as well but in my opinion that lets to much vibration to be felt at the steering wheel. __________________ "Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man R.I.P. FleetsidePaul

05-11-2014, 10:17 PM	#8
jammer3096 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: republic, mo Posts: 57	Re: Need help steering shaft repair How do people hook up the second u joint instead of rag joint? Does it take out more play than a new rag joint?

05-11-2014, 11:05 PM	#9
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,828	Re: Need help steering shaft repair Here's what I use on my trucks, early to mid 90s Jeep Cherokee steering shafts, it's almost a bolt in. You will have to heat and collapse the shaft just a little and on the columns shaft you will need to grind or file a very small notch to clear the Jeeps pinch bolt. The Jeeps shaft has a built in vibration damper and I've found this setup really helps firm up the Chevys steering. Practically a bolt in for around 30 bucks from a salvage yard. Attached Images __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C Last edited by BLAZERMAN; 05-11-2014 at 11:12 PM.

05-11-2014, 11:06 PM	#10
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,828	Re: Need help steering shaft repair Another Attached Images __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C

05-11-2014, 11:07 PM	#11
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,828	Re: Need help steering shaft repair One more Attached Images __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C

05-12-2014, 11:10 AM	#12
airdale94 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Topeka,KS Posts: 778	Re: Need help steering shaft repair Wow! Great information! Thanks! __________________ 68' C20. 283CI w/55CC 305HO heads, NP435 Close Ratio, Corp. 14 bolt FF 3.21, 75' front end swap (everything but the X-member).

05-26-2014, 11:43 PM	#13
jammer3096 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: republic, mo Posts: 57	Re: Need help steering shaft repair Does the universal joint slide all the way on column end until bottoms out or until flush with inside hole? Hopefully that makes sense. Lol

02-20-2016, 11:40 AM	#14
Leadbelly Registered User Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas Posts: 51	Re: Need help steering shaft repair Digging up an old bone but very appropriate to my question. Blazerman's photos give reference. Jeep splines are 3/4 -36? and the other is 3/4 DD? Like Borgeson unit but price is a bit steep. Leadbelly

02-20-2016, 12:18 PM	#15
'68 Newtricks Registered User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Los Angeles area :( Posts: 499	Re: Need help steering shaft repair I believe to. I have an XJ shaft on my Blazer and C10. Around here, they are about $6 from the yards. Most of the time the rubber at the top is worn and sloppy, so I weld it. Amazon sells new shafts for $99 last I saw. They are on most square body Cherokees, not the Grand Cherokee. 80s- early 90s I've probably used or sold 20 of them. __________________ '68 C10 SWB '85 K30 Blazer

04-20-2016, 07:13 PM	#16
thunderchicken Registered User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 1	Re: Need help steering shaft repair Just wanted to say thanks for the info. This is exactly what I was looking for. Best 10$ spent so far. Posted via Mobile Device

09-24-2017, 02:43 PM	#17
BlueBullet Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Danvers Minnesota Posts: 967	Re: Need help steering shaft repair Does the Jeep steering shaft mod only work for manual steering boxes __________________ 1972 K10 SWB wife's driver 1967 Pontiac GTO Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753294



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

09-24-2017, 07:23 PM	#18
Leadbelly Registered User Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas Posts: 51	Re: Need help steering shaft repair My guess, top yeah, double "D" and 3/4". As far as steering box do not know the spline count so no idea. Leadbelly

09-24-2017, 07:29 PM	#19
BlueBullet Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Danvers Minnesota Posts: 967	Re: Need help steering shaft repair I got the steering shaft but it does not work for a 72 4x4 with power steering. I thought this worked for all 67-72. If so wondering what I might be missing. __________________ 1972 K10 SWB wife's driver 1967 Pontiac GTO Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753294

09-25-2017, 10:25 PM	#21
BlueBullet Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Danvers Minnesota Posts: 967	Re: Need help steering shaft repair 32 splines __________________ 1972 K10 SWB wife's driver 1967 Pontiac GTO Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753294

09-26-2017, 12:19 PM	#23
Leadbelly Registered User Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas Posts: 51	Re: Need help steering shaft repair I found it quicker, much easier, and guaranteed to work going to CCP. I am switching to Borgsen just because I am not a fan of chrome polishing on the joints for my truck plan. Black are easily overlooked. Here is a link to my swap, from ordering parts bolting on new parts. https://www.flickr.com/photos/dodson...57662779313234 Sorry do not know if or how to post build pics. Leadbelly

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.