1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Steering Shaft Coupler Explodes While Driving On Farm?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by 70cj5134f, Feb 27, 2019.

Page 2 of 3
  1. Mar 1, 2019
    70cj5134f

    70cj5134f Member

    East Tn
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2018
    Messages:
    749
    AGAIN ,I'll ask, if not the wire retainer that went around the rubber boot, what held this thing together???
    I sure as He%& wouldn't have used it if I thought it would let go?
    And also it didn't bind at all, must have benn on the edge!
    My on the edge days are behind me now!
    So glad it broke on farm, crawling in 2nd low, I occasionally drive 1/4 mile to store for gas and snacks, even though my average speed never exceeds 35-40 mph, still could have benn n
    NASTY!!!
    My 72, 2 door matador has the same setup. The 4-door the column came out of was a parts car, needed a hood and bumper for my 2 door. 1551474162883689754909.jpg 15514742554242120169915.jpg
     
    70cj5134f, Mar 1, 2019
    #21
  2. Mar 1, 2019
    Vanguard

    Vanguard Take Off! Staff Member

    Vista, CA USA
    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2006
    Messages:
    2,259
    Ok. So pretty much all the time. :D
     
    Vanguard, Mar 1, 2019
    #22
  3. Mar 1, 2019
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
    Messages:
    8,523
    The wire retainer that goes around the boot and locks into the coupler.
    That's it.
    And the bearings/buttons should never move/travel so far that it is an issue.
    Never.
    Period.
     
    jpflat2a, Mar 1, 2019
    #23
    Vanguard and 70cj5134f like this.
  4. Mar 1, 2019
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,422
    This. I havent measured how much travel it has, but guessing there is not that much movement in the shaft as far as length goes. I just had that bell joint apart on mine tonight. Looks like it provides some slip but im guessing most of the movement from frame twisting is going to affect the angles on the bell joint and u-joint more than the length of the shaft? Maybe 1/4-1/2"?:shrug:
     
    termin8ed, Mar 1, 2019
    #24
  5. Mar 2, 2019
    fesser

    fesser Napa, CA 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Napa, CA
    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2014
    Messages:
    542
    That's been my experience. When the steering shaft is in place, you shouldn't be able to pull the shaft downward enough to pull the bearings out of the coupler. The GM's with the collapsible section below the coupler had a shear pin (if I recall it looked like nylon) that would keep the column a fixed length unless there was an impact.
     
    fesser, Mar 2, 2019
    #25
  6. Mar 2, 2019
    70cj5134f

    70cj5134f Member

    East Tn
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2018
    Messages:
    749
    Their are 2 square notches machined into my DD shaft, where it slides into the next section.
    Since my length is different than the donar car, they no longer line up with the nylon?
    Or the nylon snapped out during the install. With my new u joint installed, it will be stronger and safer than ever. This was my first custom length collapseable colum install. I'd done others before, but they were welded joints. Glad it was me and not a customer! Maybe others will learn from my mistake?
     
    70cj5134f, Mar 2, 2019
    #26
  7. Mar 4, 2019
    70cj5134f

    70cj5134f Member

    East Tn
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2018
    Messages:
    749
    It's here!
    15517257514031322015233.jpg
     
    70cj5134f, Mar 4, 2019
    #27
  8. Mar 4, 2019
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,647
    now my question or interest is to see how you plan to connect those your existing steering shaft and column...I think this is going to be a much better, safer and durable set-up than you had before.
     
    FinoCJ, Mar 4, 2019
    #28
    70cj5134f likes this.
  9. Mar 4, 2019
    70cj5134f

    70cj5134f Member

    East Tn
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2018
    Messages:
    749
    Ok, hear we go, cut T end off of DD shaft, checked to be sure their was enough length to
    cut T off. (If this gets kinda strange, I'm having a day off work, me and Christian bros brandy)
    Removed set screws from new U. Going to bench assemble then dimple with drill where set screws go! Hears where I'm at now?
    1551729689697854970966.jpg
     
    70cj5134f, Mar 4, 2019
    #29
  10. Mar 4, 2019
    70cj5134f

    70cj5134f Member

    East Tn
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2018
    Messages:
    749
    Might be done?
    Time for test drive, soon as my 8 year old some gets off bus.
    He gets I'll if I don't let him go with me?
    1551731695769416226972.jpg
     
    70cj5134f, Mar 4, 2019
    #30
  11. Mar 4, 2019
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,647
    I feel like I would like a bit more than just some set-screws holding that together?
     
    FinoCJ, Mar 4, 2019
    #31
  12. Mar 4, 2019
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
    Messages:
    12,377
    X2!
     
    Glenn, Mar 4, 2019
    #32
  13. Mar 4, 2019
    mike starck

    mike starck Member

    salem,oregon
    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2006
    Messages:
    762
    I have used those u-joints for years. the shafts should be drilled so the set screws are recessed and hopefully set with some red Loctite . Never had a problem.
     
    mike starck, Mar 4, 2019
    #33
    Lockman and Vanguard like this.
  14. Mar 4, 2019
    70cj5134f

    70cj5134f Member

    East Tn
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2018
    Messages:
    749
    Shaft dimpled with drill bit, as per instructions. Locktite on set screw, nylon lock nut, on set screw.
    How much safer could it be?
    A through bolt?
    Welded?
    Gotta live a little dangersouly, LOL?
     
    70cj5134f, Mar 4, 2019
    #34
    mike starck likes this.
  15. Mar 4, 2019
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
    Messages:
    3,564
    First I read this:
    And then I read this:
    While your working on your steering..... lol :beer:
     
    Norcal69, Mar 4, 2019
    #35
  16. Mar 4, 2019
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
    Messages:
    12,377
    Does the inside of that joint have flats to match the shaft?
     
    Glenn, Mar 4, 2019
    #36
    Vanguard and 70cj5134f like this.
  17. Mar 4, 2019
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,647
    did not notice this part at first...was thinking it was just a set-screw with some loc-tite. That does help...

    That is really my question -...as one who lost steering at speed on road in my cj7 once, maybe i am a bit overly nervous, but kind of interested see how this is done. Steering is a critical component...and I may be tackling a saginaw swap one day so just trying to learn....I guess i would feel a bit more comfortable with a high grade through bolt nutted off etc. I think the one on my cj7 had splines or some flats or some sort of suface on the shaft that matched the inside of the joint sleeve and help mate the two together? I guess I don't love the idea of all the rotation stress (especially on a manual box) distributed on just the end of the set-screws into the dimples on the shaft? maybe I am mis-understanding how it goes together, or maybe I don't appreciate how strong of a union that is?
     
    FinoCJ, Mar 4, 2019
    #37
  18. Mar 4, 2019
    70cj5134f

    70cj5134f Member

    East Tn
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2018
    Messages:
    749
    Yes it's for a DD shaft. And spline on other end to match colum.
    Unless the set screws back out, and the shaft slides out, it won't come apart.
     
    70cj5134f, Mar 4, 2019
    #38
    Glenn and FinoCJ like this.
  19. Mar 4, 2019
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,647
    think you just answered my concerns as i was posting...that sounds good!
     
    FinoCJ, Mar 4, 2019
    #39
  20. Mar 4, 2019
    70cj5134f

    70cj5134f Member

    East Tn
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2018
    Messages:
    749
    Thanks for all the concern, guess U all are figuring the brandy has washed all my common since away,lol?
    I do try(?) To make things safe?
    I consider U all some of my closest friends?
    The older I get, the less I can put up with my dumbass local friends.
    Wish we all lived on the same block?
    Now ,listen to me rambeling must be the brandy talking?
     
    70cj5134f, Mar 4, 2019
    #40
    Bowbender and Glenn like this.
Page 2 of 3
New Posts