Steering shaft..

[blackhat620]

TexasNomad, you CAN have a steering shaft like that with u-joints at BOTH ends if you want. Don't let Milllion tell you otherwise. You simply get in touch with the folks at Borgeson and tell them what truck you have (f150, F250, 4x2 or 4x4) and they will fix you right up. I replaced my 1978 F250 4x4 unit (had a lower u-joint on it) with a nice Borgeson shaft that was pictured in one of the previous posts. Now I have u-joints at both ends and should be nice and solid (still restoring the truck).

And NO you won't have to pull the steering column or the steering box, the shafts telescope somewhat to allow replacement (and more importantly when you have a front end collision the steering shaft doesn't impale your chest).

Nope wrong on all counts. Dennis is correct, on the 2WD trucks the top half of the rag joint coupling is permenantly attached to the shaft that disapears into the lower end of the steering column as pictured by Dennis.
The steering column must be unbolted from the firewall, underside of dash and shift linkage unhooked in order to move the column far enough to get the OEM rag joint assembly and shaft removed.

The Borgenson shaft you have on your 4WD telescopes to allow the shaft to change lengths for different applications, it is not a safety feature per say. OEM steering columns are built to collapse inside the column to help protect the driver in an accident. Collapsible steering columns first appeared in Ford vehicles in 1968 and were used by GM prior to this. Collapsible steering columns were invented Béla Barényi and he is credited as the father of passive safety in automobiles. He also invented crumple zones, non-deformable passenger compartment and safer detachable hardtops, all while working for Dailmer-Benz from 1939-1972.
www.automotivehalloffame.org/honors/index.php?cmd=view&id=4&type=inductees

http://books.google.hu/books?id=yLZ...X&oi=book_result&resnum=3&ct=result#PPA181,M1

 

[blackhat620]

Wow thanks Blackhat, that's what I was looking for.
But the steering gear is new, I went and had my steering checked and the guy said every thing was tight all the drag links tie rods he said all the slop is the rag joint and up from there.

Okay then you have most of your answer, change the rag joint rubber and then check to see if this eliminated the play. You will always have a little play as that is normal part of OEM spec. If the play is not removed by rebuilding the rag joint then the steering column is worn internally and would need to be rebuilt or replaced.

 

[Mil1ion]

Rag joint insulators can be made from am piece of Conveyor belt often found at concrete plants.

If I was still in the business I would be making up left right and center selling them for $5.00.

All it takes is a pattern,a jigsaw with a hacksaw type blade.

Not everything has to be pricey.

 

[TexasNomad]

Okay then you have most of your answer, change the rag joint rubber and then check to see if this eliminated the play. You will always have a little play as that is normal part of OEM spec. If the play is not removed by rebuilding the rag joint then the steering column is worn internally and would need to be rebuilt or replaced.

Thanks guys so very much
Ok if I DO have to replace internals of the steering column how hard is that? can I just get the parts at the local auto parts store or is this a more hard to find part?

 

[Mil1ion]

IT would be cheaper just to buy one of my tilt columns

 

[TexasNomad]

IT would be cheaper just to buy one of my tilt columns

Really........
You have my partial attention how much boss man?