Steering Shaft

[tenikiwon]

In preporation for my 3" BL I noticed that there is conciderable play in my steering shaft. Also, the dust boot is torn. I went to look for replacements and was directed to Flaming River. I looked at there site and don't know what size, splice, u-joint, etc. that I would need. Also, it appears as though you can get any size you need. Could I have them make one so that I could avoid the need for the steering extention?

Thanks

 

[RiverRat]

Where is the "excessive" play? What component is loose? you sure it is the shaft that is bad?

 

[tenikiwon]

Don't know I've had a couple people look at it and both give different opionions.

I noticed my steering problem a while back. Driving on the highway the car seems to wander. Similar to having play, but only on the highway. Sometimes when on the road, usually only after having the batt dead and moving it the steering would turn and kinda vibrate when idleing and turning the wheel or slow speed.

I looked under the hood and saw the dust boot torn.
Also, if you grab onto the shaft under the hood you can wiggle it. About....um....1/2-1 inch. Maybe I'm way off on distance, but enough to notice.

One person I talked to said replace the u-joint down there.

Another said Ball-joints (which I'm doing anyway)

Still another said lower steering shaft.

Anyway, I figured since they told me about $80 for the part and I have to un-bolt half for the steering shaft I'd just replace it.

I'm open to any other ideas

 

[tenikiwon]

Took a closer inspection and noticed it's got play where it goes through the firewall. The U-joint above the drivers feet is good. The u-joint under the hood where it goes into the rack & pinion seems tight.

What could it be?

Also, the dust boot is torn (on the lower u-joint). Can this be easily replaced?

 

[MrShorty]

It sounds like you are having the exact same question I have about the steering shaft on my BII. It slops around inside of the tube that carries it from the steering wheel to the firewall. I went to the library and looked it up in the Mithcell manual, and there's supposed to be a bearing around the steering shaft in the tube it passes through near where it goes through the firewall. I don't know how yours would be set up, but I suspect it may be similar. The opinion I've got on mine are that, as long as steering isn't effected, dont' worry about it. In your case steering does seem to be effected. I wish I could say for sure, but I'm wondering myself what to do about this same concern.

 

[tenikiwon]

Thanks for the responce.

Yes, steering is effected. Scary a times, but I'm sure it's still safe. A mechanic I know said it was probably just the ball joints so I'm going to do that in a couple weeks.

From what you described it sounds like the B2's steering shaft goes through something. Maybe just a small bering. From what I could see, from the wheel there is a U-joing and then a staight shaft to the u-joint just above the rack and pinion. On the inside there is foam & rubber blocking my view and from the engine there is a rubber bushing or sorts, similar to whats used where wires go through the firewall. I'll try tearing some of that away to see if there's something that could be replaced.