Upper U Joint

I just purchased a Borgeson 1" DD x 7/8 Smooth bore for my upper U Joint. I had assumed that it wouldn't be a weld on joint, but I am wrong. Since I don't really want to weld it to the steering column, do you think I could drill and tap the joint to put in a through bolt and leave the column a bit above 7/8s to create a more press fit design?

Or should I just weld it and leave a little gap to the column bushing?

 

I would not tap the joint, but run a bolt all the way through it, and a nut on the outside.

You want the bolts smooth shank (un-threaded portion) all the way through the U joint piece, use a grade 8 bolt.

It will be stronger if there is no threaded portion inside.

 

Warloch, yes the steering is something that can't be hacked. That is why I am afraid of how I should go about this. I spoke with Borgeson and they said pinning is best, but if the shaft is tubular then welding is the only option. I can see where they come from because if I drill into the shaft I am going to weaken it a lot.

I looked at the Advanced Adapters kit and their set up uses a through bolt and set screw. I am surprised at this set up because it seems to go against what everyone (including Borgeson) is saying to do. At this point I am thinking I will weld it only. But the person I spoke to at Borgeson said I have to be very very careful when welding as too much heat will ruin the joint.

My final question is, if I weld it, can I leave a space between the joint and the column bushing where the welds will be, or will the column then move up and down in the shaft?

 

That is what I am thinking about doing. I am really nervous about how this is set up because of the fact that if it fails, I am screwed, or worse, my passenger is screwed.

I was looking at the borgeson steering column. Those guys are actually local to me so it would be nice to support them.

Also, their column is about 100 cheaper than the Summit branded columns.

What summit column do you use and what length?

Thanks

 

Speedway motors has steering columns built similar to our jeeps for $100, they even have the quick release hub for the steering wheels.

 

Yes, I was looking at the non tilt version from Borgeson:

http://www.borgeson.com/xcart/catalog/Stainless_Steel_Economy_30_Length_Brushed-p-1299.html

Although, they want a restocking fee for the U Joint I already bought. I can understand this if I was simply returning the joint, but I mentioned that I wanted to trade u joints and buy one of their columns, so would they consider waiving the fee. No such luck. So even if they are local, I might entertain other options. I will check out the speedway motors columns.

Any advice on length?

 

Quick release hub is what i use, also works as a theft deterent.

 

If you use this method machine a flat spot for the bolt head and nut to tighten down on otherwise it will loosen.

 

I am going with the 32" column from Speedway. Thanks for the suggestions. I will take some pics of it when I get it.

 

Got the column today. Its pretty nice and feels good and durable. I like the quick disconnect, however, there seems to be play in the splines with that disconnect. In other words, the steering wheel can move about 3 mm up and down because the groove that the quick release skewer fits in is much larger than the skewer itself. Has anyone else noticed this?

 

Yep mines the same way, i just learned to deal with it.
I havent had any problems yet.
Regards
Terry