S10 Power Steering Box Question

[BRDog509]

The 1995 S10 power steering box I am using has an input shaft as shown in the attached photo with a smaller shaft protruding through the splined outer portion and a pin going through both parts. The smaller shaft is broken off even with the pin that goes through the shaft. My question is what is the purpose of the inner shaft and is the splined outer portion depending on this pin to hold everything in place? I have been unable to find an exploded diagram of the steering box that shows this detail.

[b-mac]

I came here to say that the Camero box I used didn't have one, so I didn't matter...but it does...So I don't know how to answer your question.

[dwcsr]

That pin goes into the rag joint and helps keep it from twisting and tearing

[BRDog509]

OK that makes sense. The steering box was bare when I bought the chassis. Thank you for your help !

[mr48chev]

Yours may have been cut off rather than broken off if someone put an aftermarket Universal joint directly on the box. The rag joint was primarily intended to take a bit of the shock out of the steering column that transfers up to the wheel on rigs unlike the rigs that don't have them. I've never noticed that much difference but learned to drive on solid steering shaft rigs long before driving one with a rag joint which I think was my grand parents 61 Chev wagon that I only drove to take my driving test because it was the only car in the family that would pass the license officers inspection.

[Katrina/10]

The input shaft on those boxes is a coaxial type, with the splines on the outside and an inner shaft with that little pin sticking out. I cut the pin off one years ago to make the u-joint easier to install, and it did not seem to affect anything.

[BRDog509]

Thanks for the input. I am installing a U joint directly on the steering box as there is not room for a rag joint at that location. Now I can proceed without being concerned about the missing tip.