I am looking for some help on steering / steering shafts. I have slight play in the steering wheel after replacing a number of components. Only thing left is the steering joints. I know of Borgeson brand. Is there anyone else i should look at or are they who I should use? VOH
My last three builds I've used Porsche 914 steering shaft u-joints. They have pinch bolts instead of the set screws and jam nuts that some use. I don't have a part number but the 914 u-joints fit the 3/4"-GM splines.
Flaming River has steering universal joints that I used on one of my cars. Just be prepared for some sticker shock. https://www.flamingriver.com/steeri...fcP24PQOx8zuPPvQO7SjTlF3cXqErlGhoCiikQAvD_BwE
I have used Sweets in the past. I found that they developed play after a short use. They are good looking & compact.
"Only thing left is the steering joints." I'd think significant play would likely be visible if I could get up close, of have a bore scope camera deal. And definitely "feel"-able with a finger spanning the components, and a helper turning the wheel. Having the car sitting on its tires while slightly steering back and forth can provides useful resistance to help reveal loose stuff.
Another vote for Borgeson. I changed out my generic joints with a pair of Borgeson, all the slack disappeared from my steering. Even the DD shaft was larger and finished to closer tolerances. Might use the old generic stuff on a lawnmower or something else slow, but for the highway, you can’t beat Borgeson. You get what you pay for.
Thank you all for the feedback. Am I correct that a support isn’t typically required with (2) joints? I have one at the bottom of the column and one at the splined input. VOH
I've had good luck with Woodward Steering out of Wyoming. Every U-joint you can imagine, quality products and much better prices than Flaming River. Here's their catalog.............. http://www.woodwardsteering.com/PDF/7. Steering Universal Joints, Splined Couplers and Shafts.pdf Also yes, on the support. I used one on my roadster with double U-joints. There's about a 2" offset between the column and main shaft. The 2" is made up with a short intermediate shaft.
If the free play is coming from the joints that should be very easy to see by the naked eye without tearing the steering apart. I would look at the box first.
Correct, a support is not requuired if both ends of the steering shaft are held in place. With 2 u-joints the shaft can't go anywhere. With 3 u-joints you need the extra support since the shaft can flop around without it.