XJ Shaft

[THISISWEIRD]

I've been reading here a bit about the XJ shaft.

I've just replaced my steering box and thought I might as well switch over to the XJ shaft while it's down. The XJ shaft will allow me to lose the rag joint and will tighten up the slop, correct?

I've got a 91' blazer, so what year XJ shaft do I need and where do I find it? Do I need to pull the column or can I do it all from inside the engine bay? Also, what's the level of difficulty. The steering box was pretty easy.

Sorry with all the questions....I'm such a newb.

 

[NEK5]

I've been reading here a bit about the XJ shaft.

I've just replaced my steering box and thought I might as well switch over to the XJ shaft while it's down. The XJ shaft will allow me to lose the rag joint and will tighten up the slop, correct?

I've got a 91' blazer, so what year XJ shaft do I need and where do I find it? Do I need to pull the column or can I do it all from inside the engine bay? Also, what's the level of difficulty. The steering box was pretty easy.

Sorry with all the questions....I'm such a newb.

Yep, when I got my XJ shaft, the column had to come out....

 

[rick88blaze]

Here is the link to the write up I did on this last year.

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169874

If you get the same style XJ shaft I did and follow this you don't need to remove your column.

Rick

 

[AZ79K5Project]

There is no need to pull the steering column for this mod. Check the thread that was posted for full details.

 

[UseYourBlinker]

PM chevyfumes and tell him UYB sent cha..

 

[AZ79K5Project]

Stir...Stir...Stir...

 

[THISISWEIRD]

Thanks guys. I pulled one off at the junkyard yesterday and I can't get it to compress. It must be the wrong year. I'll try to find another one this weekend.

I've replaced the steering box and now the ball joint on the front drag link seems to be busted. I'm hearing a knock as I turn the wheel and all the grease seems to be coming out of the joint. Maybe as I was pulling off the steering pump, I busted the boot. Anyway...on to this project.

 

[THISISWEIRD]

Oh..so one more thing. The PO didn't do anything to the steering arm or drag link when he lifted the truck. I think I'll go ahead and do this now while I'm replacing the drag link to prevent premature wear. Which should I do....get a new steering arm, or an adjustable drag link to fix the improper angle? Where do I get it from?

 

[txfiremank5]

On my old 84 K5 with the 10 bolt front and 4" lift I Just used the new arm. Worked great for mine, and returned the steering to factory radius.

 

[AZ79K5Project]

Thanks guys. I pulled one off at the junkyard yesterday and I can't get it to compress. It must be the wrong year. I'll try to find another one this weekend...

The shaft is held by two plastic pins. I used a propane torch to heat up the shaft enough for the plastic pins to melt, If it is a two piece, it will compress. It's a safety thing in case of a front end collision.

 

[rick88blaze]

Look for the plastic pins like AZ79K5 said. If it doesn't have them you can still compress it but it takes a little elbow grease to do so.

Rick

 

[THISISWEIRD]

I'm beating that thing to death and It will not compress. There are no pins...gotta be the wrong year. I'll get one to work this weekend. Either that or I'll break my back trying!

 

[AZ79K5Project]

Post a couple of picks of the shaft you are using.

 

[rick88blaze]

I found out that some of them were setup a little different. Worse case scenario you could try a hydraulic press I suppose. Look at the 2 red circles in the pic. this is where I drilled out the plastic inserts. These are located by where the 2 halves join together. The bottom pic should give you a better picture of where they are located.

Rick

 

[THISISWEIRD]

I don't have the images. Believe me, I beat the damn thing to death...it's not moving. It had some platsic sleeve on the bottom section. I just thought it was similar. I'm sure there's one around here somewhere and I'll find the right one. But there are no pins, and it's not a 2 piece.

I did find the correct one, but it's in bad shape. At least now, I really know what I'm looking for.

Thanks for all of the info. You guys are good, especially for someone that lives in BFE.

 

[chevyfumes]