Steering shaft upgrade
 

Ok so im looking at a 1980's chevy g20 van and i see that it has the u joint steering shaft just like the one in the astro vans im wondering if this will work in my 88 gta also if it will fit what meeds to be done for it to fit into a f body i remembering reading something about the u joint needs to be spun 90 degrees in order for it to keep the steering in alignment is this true

Re: Steering shaft upgrade
 

There are many threads on this and members selling the components all ready to install. Do some searches.

Re: Steering shaft upgrade
 

Ok so instead of the astro van shaft i decided im gonna use the xj cherokee shaft we have 2 of them going to scrap at work and my boss said if u need anything pull it out now before it goes i saw that this is a direct bolt in is this true or is there major work involved

Re: Steering shaft upgrade
 

I think the Jeep shaft requires you to grind a groove in the end of the steering shaft that comes out of the fire wall.

Re: Steering shaft upgrade
 

I cant help with your last post as I have no experience with the jeep shafts...

But I did buy a astro shaft from member "MC87SS" and had no issues what so ever with the transaction. The astro shaft he sold me made a noticeable difference, even with a brand new rag joint my steering still had a small amount of play. Installing the astro shaft completely eliminated the last of the play I had in my steering.

Here is his for sale thread:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...t-upgrade.html

Maybe try messaging him if your interested... Hope this helps.

Re: Steering shaft upgrade
 

Yes it does. I have a jeep shaft in my camaro, and I had to grind a small groove in order to get the retaining bolt to fit. Not a difficult job, took only a few minutes with my dremel and a grinding stone.

Re: Steering shaft upgrade
 

Yea i wanted to do the astro shaft but if i can get the jeep shaft for free im gonna go that route im how ever gonna be the astro van steering column bearing to also eliminate the factory f body plastic one we have a astro van thats gonna be going to junk as well soon so ill make sure to take the steering shaft and bearing off that just to have the shaft as a extra and install the steering column bearing to have it installed in my steering column i have for my car

Re: Steering shaft upgrade
 

And if u dont mind can u send a pic of what i need to grind that would be great u can send them to my email soarestransam@aol.com

Re: Steering shaft upgrade
 

I'll try and grab a pic tonight while I'm working on the car.ill just post it in this thread so everyone can see.

Re: Steering shaft upgrade
 

Ok thanks alot for the help

Re: Steering shaft upgrade
 

https://video.search.yahoo.com/video...&fr=aaplw&tt=b

Here's a how-to I contributed a while back:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...ing-shaft.html

JamesC

Re: Steering shaft upgrade
 

Hey james thanks for contributing to the thread im going with the xj shaft instead though since its more user bolt in i seen a vid of it where u heat it up but the grinding part im trying to figure out what needs to be grinded down

Re: Steering shaft upgrade
 

If you mock the shaft up, you'll see where you need to use your Dremel. Hit that place lightly until you can thread the retaining screw into place. Easy peasy. Check the pics in the second link above for the general proximity of the grind. Post #2, pic #3 and post #4, pic #3.

JamesC

Re: Steering shaft upgrade
 

Ok when i get the steering shaft home ill see where it needs to be grinded at to make it fit

Re: Steering shaft upgrade
 

Grabbed a few pics today of my setup. You need to grind the shaft right under where the bolt is sitting.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...e8790772e5.jpg

Re: Steering shaft upgrade
 

Ok so this is on the steering column im guessing not the steering box side

Re: Steering shaft upgrade
 

Yes. The steering box actually has a flat side on it already, just line up the shaft so the bolt is on that side.

Re: Steering shaft upgrade
 

Ok so i got the steering shaft out yesterday and it got it installed on the column now will this keep the steering wheel straight when i install it onto the steering box or am i gonna have to recenter the steering wheel

Re: Steering shaft upgrade
 

I was wondering the same thing...

Re: Steering shaft upgrade
 

Verify that the steering wheel is locked and the front wheels are straight before you attempt the swap. That done, you should be good to go.

JamesC

Re: Steering shaft upgrade
 

If the steering wheel is off a little after the swap, need to correct (recenter) it by adjusting the tie-rods. Do not R&R the steering wheel to recenter it, that is the all-wrong way to do it.

Note that it isn't unusual for the steering wheel to be off a little after replacing anything in the steering column linkage.

RBob.

Re: Steering shaft upgrade
 

The 2nd post has instructions on notching the column.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...ing-shaft.html