Technical Speedway 3/4 Heim and 3/4 steering shaft?

Hey, anybody else have trouble sliding 3/4" steering shaft through a Speedway 3/4" heim?

I tried 2 of them and wasn't able to get the shaft through further than 1/8"

Am I missing something? I'm inclined to think this may be normal, so, do I need an oversize joint or something?

 

Mc Master Carr or Rod Ends

 

I've been digging and digging and I just found they have "oversize" threaded heims at 0.757" that they seem to put in steering kits.

 

Correct, the heim your looking for has an oversize I.D. I get all my stuff from the local circle track supply shop.

 

Have you measured the shaft with a micrometer?

 

Great! THANK YOU!

No, but I will. It fit through the ball style "Firewall Mount Flanged Bearing for Steering Shaft" just fine.

I couldn't find this in a search. Thanks for the info guys!

 

You have to use the 007 over ball style heims. That's what they are made for.
I have found some cheap steering shaft in the past that was also bigger than 3/4". Lots of cheapo race car parts sellers sell it, never got any of it from Speedway though, theirs was always the correct size.

SPark

 

Pair of vise grips and a brake cylinder hone, plenty of oil

 

I've used Borgeson shafts, universals, vibration dampners and heim joints with no problems. May be a little more expensive but their products are not made in China. When it comes to brakes, cooling and steering I always buy the best. That way your never disappointed.

Gary

 

Borgeson X2. I've had a little fitment issue, but chilled shafts and warmed (not hot) female ends and a little sewing machine oil will work wonders.

 

Heat the joint to 200 degrees, freeze the shaft in dry ice and put it together right the first time. (No, I don't recommend this procedure on a steering shaft)
I'll bet polishing a couple of thousandths off the shaft will cure the problem, size on size will not slide together.

 

Most everything I get steering and chassis components are from Sweet Mfg based in Kalamazoo, MI. Don't dick around on steering or brakes, the part you need is around $22.00.

 

Thanks guys! I appreciate the input.

I should add that I'm just in mock-up right now. I'm using wooden dowel and duct tape but I've got 3/4 hollow shaft too (the "regular" heim fits neither").

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...ld-thundercasket.751582/page-19#post-12219006

Those Sweet U joints are pretty reasonable. You've had good luck with them, yeah?

 

Yep, been using them for 20 plus years with no issues.

Those Sweet U joints are pretty reasonable. You've had good luck with them, yeah?[/QUOTE]

 

Is this hollow shaft an oem part, many times they are over .750 diameter and rusty also.
Ideally your final part should be made from 3/4" solid stock, many are using what is called "D" shafting, it has two flats the length of the shaft, but I don't like the stuff personally.
After all mockup is finalized, mark set screw locations by seating the set screws to the shaft, then dimple drill them with a 1/4" drill bit.
A dab of Locktite "small screw threadlocker" is extra insurance also.

 

I make my own shafts. If you need and have access to a lathe, just turn the shaft down a few thousandths.


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I like to use a small weld for extra insurance.

Gary

 

I always built all of my steering shaft from 3/4ODx1/2ID DOM tubing. If it's not a very smooth dark brown DOM tubing, and it's shiny silver tubing, it is probably not DOM and will be off in size more. Get mine at the local tractor supply store.

Also used Sweet joints and they have never failed me (except in a wrecked dirt car). Sweet lasted a lot longer in dirt late models and modifieds than other brands did. Stay away from Southwest Speed joints, I've had those go bad in a matter of months. SW Speed also sold a silver 3/4x1/2 tubing that was for steering shafts but it was bright silver and could be as big as .765! It was not DOM, you even had to turn it where it went into the joints.

I've used Speedway, AFCO and Flaming River joints with good results. I just try to stick to Sweet for consistentcy.

SPark

 

On the subject of universals, has anyone got any experience with RPC - Racing Power Company joints? Jegs carries them and I was browsing the other day.

 

Not familiar with them or their cost but I would NOT use price as a major criteria as to which steering joints to use. The basic uncoated steel u-joints from Borgeson and Flaming River are not that expensive considering where they are being used.

 

For all steering shaft supports, I normally buy 7/8" Heims along with 7/8" OD x 3/4" ID Oil embedded bronze bushings from McMaster-Carr. Press the bushing in, ream it to 0.752" and call it a day. It will last for ever.

https://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-sleeve-bearings/=19dbltl

 

I would opt for larger diameter as well. My shafts are all 1" machined to fit like a glove. Stainless Steel.


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Is it true that if you run a Heim joint too close to exhaust heat that they will lock up thru expansion.

 

Absolutely possible depending on how tight the spherical end is in there. Thermal expansion would a very real problem.


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I have 3/4" solid steel steering shafts and u-joints on all three of my cars, all Borgeson and Flaming River products.
32 roadster, light weight.
67 Nova, medium weight.
66 Suburban HEAVY.

 

While we're sprawling the subject out a little beyond just the oversize 3/4 heim issue anyway, anybody know the specs on the bronze lined rubber bushings that go inside a Ford column tube?

Mac's has them, sure, but I'd like to know the dimensions anyway so I can see what else I can cram in there.



Oh, and a personal update, I bought 2 Borgeson U joints yesterday.

 

Bringing an old one back...about these oversized ID bore steering shaft support heims...

My steering shaft supports are NOISY !

I'm setting up the steering on my Model A now.

I've got brand new Borgeson Ujoints...3 joints in total...2 singles and one double (in the middle).

Using AllStar brand steering shaft support heims on either side of the double joint...and they have the oversized ID for steering applications.

My HEIM joints are making a lot of noise with the shaft clanking around in the play of the ID on the joint.

Is that normal and do folks just live with that?

Thanks!

 

Speedway sells an oversized 3/4 heim to fit over the shaft

 

Good job. That's an area you don't want to skimp .

 

Quality parts always work/fit better and peace of mind is always a greater value then the price of parts .