Technical How many universals in a steering shaft? 1950 ford coupe

Working on the sectioned '50 Ford I just got last month; it's been cut 5 1/2" so the steering shaft now p***es through the speedometer cluster.... Going to need to cut it and put in a universal. I expect to need only one to do it, but... IF one doesn't seal the deal, can I use two? I realize I will have to make the upper shaft steady at the firewall, too.

 

Yes. Two is easy. Firmly mounted column is required, of course. Three joints is where things get complicated.

 

Yeah, kind of figure sooner or later it'd be like a piece of rubber hose... Thanks for the response!

 

If you use more than one, make sure you clock them correctly like you would on a driveshaft.

 

When things get really tight or it just seems like a better choice use a Double Jointed U-Joint. Not two separate joints and a coupling shaft. That's what's going on here. Just google it, you'll see the advantage.

 

Do you have room on your firewall for one of these?

 

borgeson.com
borgeson-u-joints-steering-shafts. HRP

 

If you need to use multiple u-joints be sure that the shaft is well supported near the joint so that the whole shaft doesn't just wobble and flail around. If you use 3/4 round or 3/4 double-D shaft and use spherical rod ends to support the shaft be sure to get the oversized rod ends that measure .757" inside diameter on the ball so that it will fit over the shaft properly

Lynn