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Steering shaft: need a quick primer...

Greg72

Greg72

@MIGHTASWELLK5
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I'm getting ready to build-out the headers on the drivers side, but I'd really like to have the final steering shaft in place so that I can design the exhaust to fit accurately around it.

I've used a Borgeson shaft in the past, but since it was all just mild steel it rusted up quickly and looked like crap. It looks like Flaming River offers a full-stainless version so I'll probably go that route.

The question I can't remember is how much variation there is in spline / diameters (on the steering column side) from '69-'91 Blazers? Are they all the same?

On the steering box side, I'm now using a Saginaw box from a 1996 Suburban 2500 (2WD / 4WD)... No idea what sort of spline this might have vs. the "stock" 1972 box?

Just want to make sure that I get the part with the correct ends / spline counts.


-G
 
The splines on the box should be the same. I could double check the spline count if needed , as I have a few stock 88+ saginaw steering shafts around but the Jeep XJ steering shaft fits both the 88+ truck and older K5's steering boxes as far as I know.
 
There are 2 different size splits on the splines Greg, thinking the newer boxes are smaller diameter starting late 70s IIRC.
 
Alright cool.....so the the splines are definitely either all the same, or different...! LOL

No worries, I'll check around some more.

Do steering shafts typically get spec'ed by diameter or by spline count (or both)??? It seems like there are variants like splines with a small "flat" (unsplined) area, and some the have a notch for a locking through-bolt....

Haven't thought about this stuff in a LONG time, obviously.


-G
 
See, thats the old CK5 we all know and love

:p
 
AJs72K5 said:
I could be a punk and say that search is your friend...but since the boss went and changed things up on us.....

https://ck5.com/forums/threads/72-k5-ajs-cruiser-crawler-build.225250/page-26#post-3561483 :cool:
Click to expand...


Nice! You threw me by calling it steering u-joint... I think my search was for "steering shaft". :)

Anyway, thanks for the assist. Is that joint spec you called out the same on both ends?

Getting excited at the prospect of spending something like $120 for each joint and about that same amount for the stainless center rod.


-G
 
The steering columns is either going to to have splines or it going to be double "D". Both should be 1" dia.
The steering box would have 13/16" dia input for the early boxes.
The later boxes have 3/4 dia input.
 
Greg,

Borgeson makes stainless versions of the same things. I used them but flaming river is similar from what I've read. Only thing I don't like are the set screws that hold everything together. I'd rather have something less hokey looking.
 
Greg72 said:
Nice! You threw me by calling it steering u-joint... I think my search was for "steering shaft". :)

Anyway, thanks for the assist. Is that joint spec you called out the same on both ends?

Getting excited at the prospect of spending something like $120 for each joint and about that same amount for the stainless center rod.


-G
Click to expand...
No, that's just the upper joint at the column. Lower joint will be different depending on the steering box. Not sure on the dimensions on the female side of the shaft. But, I'm still running the rag joint for now.
 
It's a 30 spline but I don't remember the diameter. I just bought a steering joint for the box on my build. I can take a look tomorrow and check the diameter.

1" double d is what I used at the top. For the record, its a touch on the small side but with little deburring and polishing, it'll fit.
 
cybrfire said:
It's a 30 spline but I don't remember the diameter. I just bought a steering joint for the box on my build. I can take a look tomorrow and check the diameter.

1" double d is what I used at the top. For the record, its a touch on the small side but with little deburring and polishing, it'll fit.
Click to expand...


For the record, my box is a 4wd from a 98, 1500.
 
Greg, why are you always trying to compare shafts to everybody??? Jeeze!

On a more serious note, I have a borgeson shaft on mine (that is rusty), but it seems like a stout piece. Of all the crap I've messed with on this thing, it's always worked fine. I realize I'm not actually contributing anything to this thread... Just good to have some time back on CK5!

Carry on.
 
Z71paramedic said:
Greg, why are you always trying to compare shafts to everybody??? Jeeze!

On a more serious note, I have a borgeson shaft on mine (that is rusty), but it seems like a stout piece. Of all the crap I've messed with on this thing, it's always worked fine. I realize I'm not actually contributing anything to this thread... Just good to have some time back on CK5!

Carry on.
Click to expand...

Sean,

Yeah, I had the Borgeson last time around but ended up throwing it away when I stripped the truck down to a shell because it was was so rusty and ugly. Worked fine, and the joints were tight but at the time I was just annoyed at how poorly it stood up to weather / moisture.

I think I was into that mild-steel version for around $250, the stainless ones are about $100 more.... But will look good forever. I found a thread that claimed the the F.R. Joints were actually rebuildable where the Borgesons weren't...

:thinking:

-G
 
Rebuildable sounds nice. The borgeson shaft came on mine, so I'm rockin it!
 
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