Steering linkage question (universal joint related)

I am trying to hook my modified steering column on my 41 Plymouth up to my Cavalier rack and pinion. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of horizontal distance between the two connecting points and I can't make two standard Borgeson joints work. I can't even make one double joint and one single joint work.

Can you safely use two Double joints with a center support bearing? Or am I going to have to cut my column shorter, support its end somehow and makes 3 joint linkage?

Thanks
Rock

 

While I don't have an answer for you I will say that some time ago when I was looking for a steering u joint I seem to remember a diagram that was either in A) Speedway or B) borgeson website or C) flaming river website that set forth what you could and could not get away with regarding the limits of the joints....

Hope it helps....

 

Shortening the column is easy. Hardware store bearing, and depending on shaft diameter, machine it to 3/4 DD. If you use 2 double joints, you'd need 2 shaft support bearings.

 

I know. I've already done it once. Shortening it up and engineering a good support for one that doesn't go all the way to the floor is a different deal, however. That is what I'm going to have to do.

For future reference, according to Borgeson, you can use two double joints but you must have two shaft supports if you do it. Not workable for me. So, I'll have to engineer a 3 joint system.

Thanks,
Rock

 

I cut my colume and got a bearing from napa there is a thred on here about doing it, I think mine was a lawn mower bearing 3/4 ID 1.5 in OD. take the colume in the store if you need to.

Try to use 2 joints. but sometimes 3 with a support bearing is all you can do.

This is the stock colume and wheel in my 53, I built a cover plate that bolts to the outside of the firewall and supports the colume and another clamp style mount on the inside, I kept the stock U bolt clamp at the dash.

Be sure to drill the shaft and counter sink the allen screws and use lock tight on them.

MrC.

 

That is what I did. Unfortunately, I can't get them to link up. So, I'll have to shortend the steering column into a "shorty" configuration and use 3 links. Now what I wanted to do but what I will have to do to keep the original look.

 

I run the Cavalier R&P setup on my '38 Chrysler with 2 standard U-joints.

I cut the column just past the firewall, then welded a horizontal brace to the clamp collar that holds in the lower bearing. The horizontal brace is then bolted to the original toe panel right below the column. The first u-joint goes immediately after the lower bearing, and the support is a couple inches above the frame rail about a foot forward of the firewall. Hard to explain, but pretty simple.

Here's the only pic I have for now, it shows only the part at the firewall, but you can see the silver horizontal brace just below the end of the column.

The engine is out and the sheet metal off my car right now so it'll be easy to snap some more if it'll help you.

 

Good buddy Bill Hampton came over tonight and I think we got it worked out. I've placed another order with Borgeson. So, we will see next week.

 

Here's a couple of somewhat better pics of my '38 with the R&P:

 

Check my build thread to see my solution. It worked out best for me.