Steering shaft..

[TexasNomad]

My steering is as soft and sloppy as Hillarys gut all the little U joints in my steering shaft are shot.
Have any of yall ever replaced a steering shaft before?
Am I going to have to pull the steering wheel?
And what do yall think about this brand of shaft will it work?
http://www.jegs.com/i/Borgeson/153/970/10002/-1

 

[Mil1ion]

 

[TexasNomad]

Umm...
Is that a yes or no?

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Why not just get another u joint for it. That is a nice steerin shaft though.

 

[TexasNomad]

That don't look like the shaft in my truck Million?

 

[Mil1ion]

That's why I posted it to see if that is what you have or need .

I think it was off a 77 F-250 4x4.

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

I was gonna say that looks kinda like the one in my truck.

 

[TexasNomad]

That's why I posted it to see if that is what you have or need .

I think it was off a 77 F-250 4x4.

yeah the one in my truck is much thinner and also you can take the rag joint off both ends.
Is there any way I can do away with my rag joint?

 

[Mil1ion]

4x4's didn't come with shafts with rag joints at both end.
What you see above is original for 78

 

[TexasNomad]

Hmm thanks Million
Looks like its going to be a pain in the rear to change this thing out...
Oh well I guess i'll just have to start digging in..

 

[bucks77ford]

Tex, I got one of those because when I did my steering conversion I needed a new shaft. I really like it and the u-joints are supposed to last forever. Plus, it has the slip joint so you don't have to loosen the steering column to get the shaft off.

 

[TexasNomad]

I wish mine was that easy, but mine doesn't look any thing like that, or any of those show above.
So now i'm really confused

 

[bucks77ford]

Yeah, the 2wd shafts are different. But, if your steering column has the removable rag joint you can just remove that from your column so It will accept the steering shaft as above. Most steering gear boxes accept both U-joint shafts and rag joint shafts. I'm sure Dennis has some pics of 2wd setups.

 

[Mil1ion]

 

[flathead95hp]

I think I may have an extra 2wd shaft and rag joint at work. I'll have to check to see if it's still though.It came out of a 76 or 77.

 

[TexasNomad]

Hmm Summit has new shafts that are collapsible could I get one long enough that I could do away with the rag joint? what does the rag joint do?

 

[bucks77ford]

As shown in Dennis' picture the rag joint coupler can't be removed from that particular steering column, but if yours looks like mine you can remove the coupler in order to accept the splined end of the shaft and the other end will go right on the steering box.

 

[TexasNomad]

Ah ok I see, Thanks a bunch guys.

 

[cipsmithers]

If you remove the rag joint, the flex between the cab and frame will wear on all pieces involved. Steering box, shaft, ect.

 

[TexasNomad]

I see what your saying but what about trucks like Bucks, his don't have a rag joint?