Recently i have noticed a small clunk in the steering that appears to be coming form the steering shaft going into the box (front end components already gone through and nice and tight). So i took a look at the steering shaft between the column and box and without taking the plastic cover off i grabbed the end that attaches to the column near the firewall and it has play up and down. Is this normal or should that be tight? Is the whole shaft replaceable or just the rag joint?

thanks.

 

There shouldnt be too much play but sounds like wear and tear have finally had their way with the joints. Not uncommon and not rebuildable. New GM repair parts are no longer available. However, Classic Industries sells a new steering shaft assembly if you care to go that route. If not, used assemblies are dirt cheap. http://www.tacreationsusa.com sells them for about $20+ plus shipping. Or, hit the wrecking yard for about half that price.

Good luck

 

Never having taken it off before, so how is it supposed to attach to the steering column? Is it a bolt like at the box or is it maybe some kind of slip fit?

 

The steering shaft assembly is bolted to the steering box and the steering column shaft. The shaft assembly will compress, you need to do that to remove it once you unbolt it.

 

So if the shaft is moving up and down at the column end, then perhaps it is just a loose bolt then?

 

That would be all too easy, wouldnt it? You may see some movement between the bolted female steering assembly and male steering shaft but from what you've described, it sounds as if the steering assembly coupling joints are worn. If you dont want to tear it out, you might first unbolt it, compress it a bit to get it off of the column shaft to where you can at least move the upper joint around. Is it sloppy worn or not?

Can you see the rag joint end down by the steering box? It's not torn or anything is it?

 

just a cautious word... Check your frame rail section underneath and around the steering box for cracks. 3rd gens are notorious for cracking here and causing clunking noises. Might not be your case, but safe to check that area anyways.

 

Z's and t-top cars are prone to the crack problem's, along with a host of other malidies.

Good luck!

 

From your description it sounds like the play is where the shaft exists the column? Common issue. There is a plastic bushing in the bottom of the column for the shaft to ride in. Wears like crazy and is only held in with a clip.

To replace it will need to remove the upper through bolt and pull/push the upper portion of the intermediate shaft off of the steering column shaft.

NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE HAS AN AIR BAG YOU MUST NOT rotate the steering shaft/steering-wheel assembly. IT MUST REMAIN in line with the steering box shaft the SAME AS WHEN THE SHAFT IS DISCONNECTED.

Tie a rope to the bottom of the steering wheel and then tie it to the brake pedal. WITH AN AIR BAG YOU MUST KEEP THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE SAME LOCATION AS WHEN THE SHAFT IS DISCONNECTED. AND DO NOT ROTATE THE STEERING BOX END OF THE SHAFT!

Now, at the bottom of the column is the bushing. Remove the clip (an 'E' like wire clip). And the bushing pulls out & off. Can replace it with a stock plastic bushing, or can get a better bushing from an Astro Van (some full size's also). These better ones are ball bearing style. They replace the plastic ones without issue.

Now, the ball bearing style aren't Timkin's, but are decent for the job. And are a nice upgrade at that.

Push the new bushing onto the shaft and into the column. Replace the cup & clip. Push the intermediate shaft back onto the steering column shaft and replace the through bolt.

Enjoy the tighter steering.

RBob.

 

Thanks for all the input guys! I definitely have some investigating to do once i get the stubborn "brake warning light on" problem fixed hopefully tonight.
Can't see the rag joint right now due to the plastic cover but i will take that off to take a peek. So there is joints in the shaft too? From all the reading i did i was under the impression that only the rag joint itself was a wear part?

I will definitely chech that. I did install a wonderbar 2 years ago but it certainly could have started before that. do you typically have to remove the box to see the cracks or will they be visible with it in place?
----------
Yes, it was up at that end....whether it was the column or the intermediate shaft though i am not sure without a closer look.

Is that bushing a dealer only item?

No airbag to worry about, tis an 85.

 

I don't know if that bushing is available at a NAPA, CarQuest or such. Never know it just may be. I do the pick'an'pull crawl for the Astro van bearing style.

RBob.

 

Ok, well here is an update after finally having a chance to inspect more thoroughly yesterday. It appears that the up/down play at the column ind of the shaft is the column after all as i even grabbed being the bolt of the int shaft and there was still play. Now the strange thing is that at lunch today i went to the dealer for quotes and he is saying it is a bearing (mine is an 85)??? Did these ever use bearings, and should there be no play at all?

The rag joint seemed to be in pretty good shape after sliding the plastic cover back.

When grabbing the shaft just below the universal joint at the column end and moving side-to-side, there was even more play and very noticeable.....this play was definitely in the joint itself.

Inspecting all around the steering box I could not see any cracks in the frame.