Jeep Steering Shaft Question
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Posts: 988
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1989 Firebird Formula
Engine: 383 Stealth Ram
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73 9 bolt Posi
Jeep Steering Shaft Question
Hi Guys,
I got a steering shaft from a 1988 Jeep Cherokee which, as I read on here, is supposed to be a direct fit. However, it is too long? It's my understanding that the shaft is supposed to collapse and once collapsed would fit, but the shaft seems solid.
Will this shaft simply not work? Or is there a trick to it?
I read many posts about this topic but none mention a shaft that's a little too long. Any advice would greatly be appreciated!
Thanks!
I got a steering shaft from a 1988 Jeep Cherokee which, as I read on here, is supposed to be a direct fit. However, it is too long? It's my understanding that the shaft is supposed to collapse and once collapsed would fit, but the shaft seems solid.
Will this shaft simply not work? Or is there a trick to it?
I read many posts about this topic but none mention a shaft that's a little too long. Any advice would greatly be appreciated!
Thanks!
#2
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 26,050
Received 1,672 Likes
on
1,269 Posts
Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: Jeep Steering Shaft Question
It's supposed to collapse.
You basically ruined it by squirting whatever that red stuff is all over it.
Clean that off and lube the slip joint, it should then work right.
You basically ruined it by squirting whatever that red stuff is all over it.
Clean that off and lube the slip joint, it should then work right.
#3
Moderator
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Chasing Electrons
Posts: 18,401
Likes: 0
Received 215 Likes
on
201 Posts
Car: check
Engine: check
Transmission: check
Re: Jeep Steering Shaft Question
Gently heat the area of the larger diameter shaft where the smaller shaft goes into it. About 6" length of the larger shaft.
Then bang the end of the shaft down onto a block of wood that is sitting on a solid surface (garage floor or driveway works). Keep heating & banging until the shaft collapses.
RBob.
Then bang the end of the shaft down onto a block of wood that is sitting on a solid surface (garage floor or driveway works). Keep heating & banging until the shaft collapses.
RBob.
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Posts: 988
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1989 Firebird Formula
Engine: 383 Stealth Ram
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73 9 bolt Posi
Re: Jeep Steering Shaft Question
Thanks for the replies guys!
I did as RBob suggested and it worked great! Shaft now moves freely and is installed but I have to go to the hardware store as my original 2 bolts won't work with the Jeep shaft.
I did as RBob suggested and it worked great! Shaft now moves freely and is installed but I have to go to the hardware store as my original 2 bolts won't work with the Jeep shaft.
#5
Moderator
iTrader: (5)
Re: Jeep Steering Shaft Question
After the fact for others who are converting:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...ing-shaft.html
JamesC
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...ing-shaft.html
JamesC
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Posts: 988
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1989 Firebird Formula
Engine: 383 Stealth Ram
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73 9 bolt Posi
Re: Jeep Steering Shaft Question
Thanks James! I read that post before tackling this job... I just had some difficulties getting the shaft to compress. Once it was compressed, it was a simple bolt-on
#7
Supreme Member
iTrader: (4)
Re: Jeep Steering Shaft Question
Any evidence that yours is slipping like James' did? Im going to the JY next week to grab a shaft and maybe a bearing since mine is apart right now. Wasnt aware of the slipping issue, but that's a deal breaker for me.
Im not afraid to weld on it though...so I might just look for the cleanest one I can find that will work the best and grab it.
J.
Im not afraid to weld on it though...so I might just look for the cleanest one I can find that will work the best and grab it.
J.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post