RETRO-Mod: Jeep intermediate steering shaft

[SDJunkMan]

Got a couple of shafts at the pick a part yesterday, hope to get one on the CUCV this week and save one for the 78. Got lucky, someone started had taking one off and already had the steering box loose, unfortunatly the bolt for the bottom joint was missing.

 

[Jdgrant96]

I swapped mine yesterday and am now having a new problem. I have play in the steering wheel in and out. I can push and pull the wheel toward me about 1/4 inch. I did notice it looks like the bearing at the bottom of the upper shaft hangs out around just over an 1/8 inch. Could that be it?

 

[MisterB]

My truck is a 1980 GMC K25, but I'm running a 1976 tilt square body column. I did this mod with the Jeep shaft. I had heard on the Amazon reviews and elsewhere, that you need to grind part of the shaft on the column end, so the bolt will push all the way though to the threads on the other side. I did notice that the shaft is splined, and the jeep end is smooth on that end (steering box side is splined), but after cutting the notch and tightening it and using locktite, it sure seems perfectly fine to me. I've been driving it for a month without issue, but now some of you have me worried that I need to replace the top part of the jeep shaft that connects to the column and with a splined part?

Hopefully that isn't necessary, as it all seems so tight that I doubt it'll come off very easily on purpose to swap it out.

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[1987 GMC Jimmy]

I swapped mine yesterday and am now having a new problem. I have play in the steering wheel in and out. I can push and pull the wheel toward me about 1/4 inch. I did notice it looks like the bearing at the bottom of the upper shaft hangs out around just over an 1/8 inch. Could that be it?

The column is supposed to be independently affixed. I’d look elsewhere, either at the firewall or at the mounting ears under the dash.

 

[Camar068]

I swapped mine yesterday and am now having a new problem. I have play in the steering wheel in and out. I can push and pull the wheel toward me about 1/4 inch. I did notice it looks like the bearing at the bottom of the upper shaft hangs out around just over an 1/8 inch. Could that be it?

If your talking about the cap at the end of the column with the clip, yes that can create the issue you have. Should be around $15 for the kit and about 20 minutes time to change it. Make sure you put the clip on correctly. It has a center notch that goes into a slot. Somehow someway the previous owner put it on 180° out. Eventually it started pushing out the end giving the play your describing.

 

[MisterB]

My truck is a 1980 GMC K25, but I'm running a 1976 tilt square body column. I did this mod with the Jeep shaft. I had heard on the Amazon reviews and elsewhere, that you need to grind part of the shaft on the column end, so the bolt will push all the way though to the threads on the other side. I did notice that the shaft is splined, and the jeep end is smooth on that end (steering box side is splined), but after cutting the notch and tightening it and using locktite, it sure seems perfectly fine to me. I've been driving it for a month without issue, but now some of you have me worried that I need to replace the top part of the jeep shaft that connects to the column and with a splined part?

Hopefully that isn't necessary, as it all seems so tight that I doubt it'll come off very easily on purpose to swap it out.

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So do you fellas think I'm ok the way it is?

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[HotRodPC]

So do you fellas think I'm ok the way it is?

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Provided it stays tight on the splines I'd say so, BUTTTTT..... So let's say you lose your power steering all of a sudden and then you have to do power by Armstrong, as in your strong arms... Then you're going to be putting alot more pressure depending on the clamping to be tight on those splnes so you actually do street and it don't slip. That would be my only concern as far as a safety issue.

I am more interested in this kit that @Camar068 is talking about to convert the shaft to fit as an OEM type. Someone needs to do this kit and post it up as a sublet for the earlier model squares and the Jeep Shaft Mod.

 

[HotRodPC]

So do you fellas think I'm ok the way it is?

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Provided it stays tight on the splines I'd say so, BUTTTTT..... So let's say you lose your power steering all of a sudden and then you have to do power by Armstrong, as in your strong arms... Then you're going to be putting alot more pressure depending on the clamping to be tight on those splnes so you actually do street and it don't slip. That would be my only concern as far as a safety issue.

I am more interested in this kit that @Camar068 is talking about to convert the shaft to fit as an OEM type. Someone needs to do this kit and post it up as a sublet for the earlier model squares and the Jeep Shaft Mod.

 

[Camar068]

I am more interested in this kit that @Camar068 is talking about to convert the shaft to fit as an OEM type. Someone needs to do this kit and post it up as a sublet for the earlier model squares and the Jeep Shaft Mod.

it's not a conversion kit. I was talking about the 1/4" play he had on the steering wheel. If it's wore out it will cause it. It's the lower bearing kit.

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[Jdgrant96]

it's not a conversion kit. I was talking about the 1/4" play he had on the steering wheel. If it's wore out it will cause it. It's the lower bearing kit.

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was thinking that may be the issue. Is that bearing supposed to sit flush with the cap?

 

[TPISly-C10]

my question is: if you don't have big loose on stock rag joint....swapping XJ shaft still worth it (since you can have some loose on upper bushing XJ shaft)? or maybe Astro 2003 ish is a more easy solution? thx

 

[TPISly-C10]

i think i'm gonna go for Astro solution! so tomorow its Hunting time!

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[Catbox]

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Looks beefy for sure.
Let us know how it goes.

We have the Jeep shaft in our 3/4 ton and it works like a champ.

 

[Doppleganger]

Would love to find a Jeep shaft. None around here that are accessible.

 

[TPISly-C10]

so easy to remove from those Astro's...and well protected so part is clean and work good!

a take one.....and why not 2!!

price at Kenny U Pull $17 each

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