Steering column/intermediate shaft issues

[Jdamon11]

I just finish doing a lot of suspension work and 1-ton axle swap. First trip out to test it.

Everything was going well until I ran into some issues with my steering column. I have replaced the rag joint/intermediate shaft with a shaft from a 90’ish Jeep XJ. I have a stock non-tilt steering column. The issue is when I got into a good articulation it seems like the frame flex cause the steering column to compress a bit causing the turn signal canceling cam and the turn signal switch the contact each other in the column. When that happened my horn started honking, turn signals start blinking, and then popped fuses to the taillamps/blinkers/horn. Long story short this is all what I think might have happened, but not sure what else would have caused all this. I am looking for other that might have had the same experience after doing the rag joint/intermediate steering shaft replacement, or any other advice to prevent it from happening again.

Thanks

 

[Justin V]

How's your body mounts?

 

[Jdamon11]

I think they are ok

 

[obijuank5]

The shaft is supposed to compress and extend as well as having ujoints on it. I don't see how that caused that issue unless it is seized up.

 

[Jdamon11]

I will have to look into that. I remember it didn't move all that easy when I had to extend it to get it installed. Any tips on if it is stuck. I do have another shaft. Maybe I will start fresh with that one.

 

[Justin V]

The shaft shouldn't have to move much at all. The main reason the shaft is "compressible" is for collision safety. They don't want you impaled by the steering column. With the column mounted to the body, body to frame, and steering box to frame, the only point of significant flex is the body bushings.

Unless of course something else has damage, such as a cracked frame.

Is your column nice and tight?

 

[jeff in co]

I just switched from the XJ shaft to a Borgeson shaft. One thing I noticed, the XJ shaft was very hard to collapse. I really couldn't get mine to compress. I event tried a ratchet strap, but it would not move. I had to disconnect the steering gearbox to get the shaft out. The Borgeson does collapse, although it does have some friction to keep things tight. It has curved piece of metal that applies pressure to keep it snug at the joint. I could install without removing the gearbox.

But, the only drawback I have right now, the gearbox hydraulic sound is now transmitting through the entire column. Basically, I can hear my gearbox a bit more inside the cab. Otherwise, it's very nice. $200 on Amazon.

 

[Jdamon11]

thx Jeff. I will have a look at the Borgeson shaft

 

[Jdamon11]

@Justin V, I agree with you , but frame is good with no cracks, steering box is braced, and column is tight. This is why I am perplexed on how to prevent it from happening again.

 

[frankin5]

look to be factory bushings. just replaced mine. Good thing all the bolts were almost rusted in too inside the mounts. Mine is 85 and had good looking factory bushing.

 

[skunked]

if you were able to install the jeep shaft with the box and column in place you must have compressed it then right? I'm not sold on the idea the shaft is the problem, nor it can even cause the problem unless there is another issue in the column.