[56pan]

Heavy-Duty Steering Shaft Assembly

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www.lmctruck.com

Was wondering if any of you guys had used the part in the link? My '93 C2500 has too much play in the steering. I recently replaced the rag joint and that helped but the U-joint above the rag joint on the lower steering column is worn and still causing loose steering. Price for this thing in the link seems a little high to me and I've had some very low quality parts from LMC truck before. Any of you tried to rebuild the steering column U-joint? Is it possible?

 

[56pan]

Here's Why You Never Mess With Your Steering Shaft!! - YouTube

The item on Cunningham Machine's website looks like what I need. But it also looks just like the Borgeson unit in that video link that would not work. I just sent an email to Cunningham Machine with that video and hope they can clarify whether it's direct bolt in or not. Thanks smdk. Hell will freeze solid before I ever use anything from Dorman again.

 

[56pan]

The guy from Cunningham Machine just answered me and said his item is a direct bolt in of the right length. He wrote that if the input shaft on the pwr. steering gearbox has the stub as in the video, it would have to be cut off. No big deal. Can you provide a link to your steering shaft, sir?

 

[56pan]

Ok. Understood.

 

[56pan]

presleyhome, you didn't have the problem with the stub shaft on the input shaft on the pwr. steering gearbox then like the fellow in the video? What's that stub shaft on there for anyhow is what I'd like to know. Don't know if my pwr. steering gearbox has one or not. Just had it replaced, but didn't check that.

 

[56pan]

Ok. Thanks, sir.

 

[56pan]

Thanks for the info. Believe I'll get the steering shaft from Cunningham Machine.

 

[56pan]

in my opinion it is unsafe use those univesal steering shaft
RAG joint steering shaft or U-joint steering shaft, it is not the point.
if those steering shaft have not the same factory system to lock steering shaft to the steering gearbox spline shaft.
I wouldn't trust using this locking system, which doesn't use a screw through the groove gear of steering gearbox.
should i just trust the loctite that stops the screw in place?

It's a good point, Alex. However, the shaft on the steering gearbox is splined. There would not be any side to side play against the set screw to loosen it and I would trust the permanent loctite (red, I believe) in this location. Needs to be heated to break loose if you ever need to. I sent an email earlier today to Cunningham Machine and received the attached photo. I couldn't see the details of the part of the shaft that attached to the steering gearbox on his website. No, I don't work for them. If I order the shaft, I'll post the results here.

 

[56pan]

I understand your point, except that the setscrew is bottoming against the_groove_in the splined input shaft on the pwr. steering gearbox. Not the splined section. The splines will prevent any circular movement against the setscrew to loosen it. The setscrew bottomed and locktited into the groove will prevent any longitudinal movement. I'd feel safe with the shaft the way it's designed.

 

[56pan]

Let me know how it works out for you, Alex. And I will do the same with the Cunningham shaft. Got the holidays coming up and a houseful. I'll likely do the job in Jan. Good luck.

 

[56pan]

Well, I'm impressed with your skill and work, sir. I'll just get the Cunningham Machine shaft I think. I don't mind the non-stock look.

 

[56pan]

I just had my rag joint replaced with that exact one. But it's the U joint that still has too much play. Just going to replace the whole shaft and be done with it. Thanks.

 

[56pan]

Good point, sir. If the setscrew is on the flat, I'll have to drill/tap for a different location. Big pothole could make it slide off the splines if the screw ever loosened any and was on the flat. Instant bad news. Thanks.

 

[56pan]

I'll post how it went once I get the Cunningham shaft. Too many holiday expenses to get it until Jan.

 

[56pan]

It's cheaper than the Cunningham or Borgerson. And says it's a GM part, which I like. Will make my decision in Jan. Thanks.

 

[56pan]

Alex, I had the guy replace the rag joint when he installed the 2nd pwr. steering gearbox for me. The 1st reman. gearbox was leaking bad at the input shaft seal. Both remans, so there you are. Took a good look at it with the new rag joint and did not notice any deformation on the rubber part of the rag joint. He's a good mech. but I don't know what torque he used.

 

[56pan]

Will close my post about the sloppy steering. Used this part that Alex1234 recommended: https://s3.amazonaws.com/rparts-sit...ce4ef728/fc7ebabc44df7a5b73fda9f401b6a64c.jpg
That fixed my steering. If anyone uses one of these, the inside of the female socket above the U-joint is painted from the factory. You'll need to take a Dremel with a wire wheel, or some sandpaper, and get that cleaned out or it will never fit on the male coupling on the bottom of the upper steering shaft. There was only about 1/8" of circular play at the old shaft's U-joint. That was enough to cause the problem though. Hope it helps somebody.

 

[56pan]

Can't help you on the measurement, Alex. The shroud over the new lower steering column prevents an easy measurement and I've got to work around intercooler ducting that's right in the way. Have had no time to get to it.

 

[56pan]

The measurement from the end of the female opening above the U-joint to the end of the U-joint at the steering gearbox is about 20 inches.