Found a you tube video from JEG's Garage thought I'd pass it on. I'm still working on the slop in my steering and was looking into a possible issue with the rag joint and stumbled upon this possible solution. Lower steering column from a mid 90s Jeep. (no rag) Only a small modification of notching the shaft where it comes into the Double D. It doesn't have the thru bolt. Can anyone chime in if they have any pros or cons to this possibility.

 

Do you have a link to the video?
Just bolt thru the shaft is not safe if not from the factory.
That double D shaft is meant to shorten in a crash so the wheel is not pushed up into the driver.


IIRC at the top od that DD shaft is a Ujoint type deal that I hear gets play in it over time could the play be there?
Dave ----

 

Steering Shaft Upgrade - 82-92 F-body - Astro Van Shaft Modifications

How to make a Jeep Cherokee (XJ) steering shaft work in a Thirdgen F-Body

 

I'm not tech savvy; no idea how to get the link but these are the titles.
I understand what you're saying and it does not take away that safety feature.

 

There's the link. He is putting a steering shaft from a jeep into a Camaro. Not sure what that has to do with a Ford pickup. I will say if you get rid of the rag joint, you will probably get a hissing noise in the steering wheel when you turn it. That is what the rag joint is for, to get rid of the hydraulic noise from coming up the steering shaft from the steering box.

I will also say if you mess around with the double d part of the shaft be careful, there is a leaf spring in there that takes the play out of the double d. In the video he is heating and trying to get the shaft apart because of all that "glue". That is probably in there also take out any play in the double portion of the shaft. If it slides up and down good, then it probably has a small amount of play that will be noticeable a you are turning the steering wheel.

 

tks. back to changing the rag joint.

 

No need to reinvent the wheel. You can make your own with parts from any of the steering shaft component companies or just buy the ready to bolt on part off the shelf.

Standard steering shaft: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/brg-000980
Fancy luxurious steering shaft: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/brg-000985

Note there can also be significant slop in the column itself, primarily from a cracked lower bearing retainer. It may be worth replacing upper and lower bearings and the retainer if needed in your column.