Abandoning the Astro Van Shaft
#51
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Re: Abandoning the Astro Van Shaft
That's good to hear cc 82Z-28.
Does it seem to transmit any power steering pump noise up through the column? That seems to be one of the big concerns with the M-van piece.
Does it seem to transmit any power steering pump noise up through the column? That seems to be one of the big concerns with the M-van piece.
#54
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Re: Abandoning the Astro Van Shaft
After not driving the 3rd gen for a while (one cylinder now has low compression on the new engine... sigh), I fired it up to move it around and found the pump noise through the steering wheel really obnoxious. Maybe it was just some Stockholm syndrome when I said it was fine. Or the exhaust isn't loud enough.
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Re: Abandoning the Astro Van Shaft
The earlier non-booted Astro van shafts have the rubber damper. These are the ones to use as there is no pump noise. But they aren't a direct bolt in, they need some work to be used.
The jeep shafts are the same way. Rubber damper and no noise. These are a direct bolt in (IIRC).
RBob.
The jeep shafts are the same way. Rubber damper and no noise. These are a direct bolt in (IIRC).
RBob.
#56
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Re: Abandoning the Astro Van Shaft
Ive got at least 13 years on my Astro van dealeo & not one single issue with it.Worst problem i ever had was the bearing caps sliding out a bit (as seen in the vid JamesC refers to in the link).At the 20 sec mark you can see only one side of the u-joint moving side/side.Mostl likely the bearing cap/s have slid out some.Or were never pressed all the way in.
This happened to mine a couple weeks after i made it.Initially i only re-center punched the caps, but they slide out anyway.After pressing them back in, i spot welded them, problem solved.You have to really snug them up, so there is no slack whatsoever, without binding of course.
Also there is a small flat spring (looks like a tiny mono leaf spring) on a flat spot on the main shaft, near its end.This spring keeps the shaft under tension once inserted in the outer tube.If you leave that spring out you will have slack between the two parts.Especially as you extend the shaft (no pun) after its installed.Since at this point the main shaft is close to "slipping out" of the outer tube.
Ive always had the damper end installed, so cant complain about pump noise either.
This happened to mine a couple weeks after i made it.Initially i only re-center punched the caps, but they slide out anyway.After pressing them back in, i spot welded them, problem solved.You have to really snug them up, so there is no slack whatsoever, without binding of course.
Also there is a small flat spring (looks like a tiny mono leaf spring) on a flat spot on the main shaft, near its end.This spring keeps the shaft under tension once inserted in the outer tube.If you leave that spring out you will have slack between the two parts.Especially as you extend the shaft (no pun) after its installed.Since at this point the main shaft is close to "slipping out" of the outer tube.
Ive always had the damper end installed, so cant complain about pump noise either.
Last edited by 84 1LE; 11-05-2018 at 06:50 PM.
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Tidan (03-31-2020)
#57
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Re: Abandoning the Astro Van Shaft
Well , as much as this thread discouraged me , I ended up installing the Astro shaft I had bought some time ago (Bought it before I read this thread) . The rag joint in my original shaft was loose and having the Astro shaft with no play I went for it . I've only driven it once since I installed it and I did notice less play in the steering wheel in comparison with the loose original , and I did not hear any weird noises coming from the steering wheel .
I'll update this when I've driven it more , and I'll be listening closely for any new sounds/vibrations .
I'll update this when I've driven it more , and I'll be listening closely for any new sounds/vibrations .
#59
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Re: Abandoning the Astro Van Shaft
Just a thought; because of the, "mine works good with no noise", and, "mine generates noise and vibration", maybe it's the pump itself that's the problem. I rebuilt my pump when i was having a different steering issue, but my pump didn't make any noise before or after i rebuilt the pump, so i didn't get any noise before and after i replaced my steering shaft.
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T.L. (04-26-2020)
#62
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Horton hears a Who !
Well , as much as this thread discouraged me , I ended up installing the Astro shaft I had bought some time ago (Bought it before I read this thread) . The rag joint in my original shaft was loose and having the Astro shaft with no play I went for it . I've only driven it once since I installed it and I did notice less play in the steering wheel in comparison with the loose original , and I did not hear any weird noises coming from the steering wheel .
I'll update this when I've driven it more , and I'll be listening closely for any new sounds/vibrations .
I'll update this when I've driven it more , and I'll be listening closely for any new sounds/vibrations .
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T.L. (09-16-2019)
#66
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Re: Abandoning the Astro Van Shaft
Yeah it really just boils down to whether or not you notice the noise and if it even bothers you. I hardly notice it anymore really. If the noise is very excessive, it's possible there's an issue with the pump/box or some air trapped somewhere.
And really it's not like it's that hard to swap out. You already have it, might as well try it! The most annoying part is wiggling the factory one off of the steering wheel shaft if it's a tight fit like mine.
And really it's not like it's that hard to swap out. You already have it, might as well try it! The most annoying part is wiggling the factory one off of the steering wheel shaft if it's a tight fit like mine.
#67
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Re: Abandoning the Astro Van Shaft
I have to remove a supercharger to get at the steering shaft It's something I'd only really like to do as little as possible. My car makes loads of noise at idle, so not sure the noise would bother me. The question is: is the upside worth it?
#68
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Re: Abandoning the Astro Van Shaft
PS , not any kinds of a dealbreaker , but it's only a 99.5% bolt in , there is a small notch required to be filed into the steering shaft that exits the firewall to provide clearance for the Astro shaft's pinch bolt . Takes about 2 minutes with a Dremel tool and the right bit and is easy as can be to do , but deserved mention anyway because the stock shaft has no such slight machined groove for it's bolt ......
#69
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Re: Abandoning the Astro Van Shaft
I can totally see where everyone is coming from. There is a noticeable whine amplified through the shaft being there’s no rubber to isolate it from the top side of the shaft. Its pretty much like the effect of listening to a fuel injector though a screw driver. Anyway, yea if your car is relatively stock with a stock exhaust, I would just stick to the stock shaft. It seems like alot of the guys, including myself, with more modified cars seem to not mind the most. I mean with the semi solid motor mounts, cam, and slp loudmouth I cant hear any whine. I also upgraded all the other bushings and steering parts on the car, so getting rid of the archaic rag joint wasn’t a bad idea.
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Tidan (05-04-2020)
#71
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Re: Abandoning the Astro Van Shaft
What year Astro does this shaft come out of? I've read and re-read threads multiple times and I always seem to forget the important bits. Is there an RBob definitive Astro shaft guide? I know the AWD shafts are to be avoided and there is some sort of bearing that you need to pull when you remove the shaft from the van. These are pretty difficult to find here locally for some reason, so when I do find the correct year I want to hop on it.
#74
Junior Member
Re: Abandoning the Astro Van Shaft
Did someone ever try to combine the Firebird shaft with the unmodified astro shaft? We will try that next week.
Unfortunately i don't have an unmodified Astro shaft, so we need to turn the head again. I'll let you know!
Unfortunately i don't have an unmodified Astro shaft, so we need to turn the head again. I'll let you know!
#75
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Re: Abandoning the Astro Van Shaft
The point of using the astro piece is to eliminate the rag joint w/ a u-joint.So you'd want to at least swap that end. The other side uses a dog bone or something type joint, its mostly metal and doesn't wear near as much, but since you have to remove the whole thing to replace the rag joint might as well go the whole nine yards.
#77
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Re: Abandoning the Astro Van Shaft
Post #650, https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...ml#post6111277
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T.L. (04-25-2020)
#78
Junior Member
Re: Abandoning the Astro Van Shaft
You can't merge the 3rd gen shaft with the Astro shaft. Been too long to remember why. But you can merge a 4th gen shaft with the astro shaft for a true bolt-in solution. But I don't recommend it unless you really know what the hell you're doing and have sick welding skills. Seriously, it's not something that should be touted here.
Post #650, https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...ml#post6111277
Post #650, https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...ml#post6111277
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Re: Abandoning the Astro Van Shaft
@mw66nova did the work for me and might remember better.
I also replaced the lower column bearing (engine bay firewall) while I was in there. You can get a new steel bearing from Hawks Motorsports. Expensive little sucker but brand new and true direct fit without hassle.
Last edited by QwkTrip; 04-28-2020 at 12:40 AM.
#82
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#83
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Re: Abandoning the Astro Van Shaft
Any questions why the upper bearing on the intermediate shaft ist that kind of wobbly?
More in a video in a few days..
More in a video in a few days..
#86
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Re: Abandoning the Astro Van Shaft
what year shaft should I use? 97
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