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xj shaft?

andyblack

andyblack

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I've heard of lots of guys switching over to an "XJ steering shaft." What's so special about these shafts? An XJ is a unibody Cherokee, right? Enlighten me on the benefits of these shafts and why you would want one on a Blazer or truck.
 
It eliminates the rag joint on the the chevy steering shaft. and it take some slop out of the steering wheel.
 
Thanks for the link. This sounds like exactly what I need since I still have a lot of free play in my steering even with new and rebuilt parts. I'm kinda getting tired of battling to keep it in the proper lane all the time.
 
i picked one up today...hopefully i can get around to installing it this weekend
 
While the shaft is out, replace the plastic bushing in the end of the steering column that often wears out. The new one you get from the dealer is an updated design, a plastic bushing, and a separate roller bearing that you press into it. Most parts counter guys can't find it though, I can get part numbers.
 
I got a shaft too waiting to put on, if you can post the part numbers that would be helpful
 
When I rebuilt my colunm I get a new bearing. It was $35.53, part # 7805700
 
I'm wanting to say it was around $30 for both pieces, but it might have been less. I'll dig up part numbers.
 
shaft installed

Well I got my XJ shaft installed last night. Thanks to everyone for their input and to Blazindorito for sending me the shaft. The install went smoothly, which is unusual for me. The results weren't what I'd hoped for though. Some of the freeplay is gone, but I obviously have other issues. I told my wife how ironic it was that for once I was able to put something on my truck with no problems and it didn't even do any good.

I got up under there and turned the new shaft by hand and it seemed like the pitman shaft (I think that's the name of it) coming out of the bottom of the steering box would turn a good bit without the pitman arm moving any. So I took the pitman arm off and looked at it. It didn't seem like any of the splines were damaged or anything, but I think I'll try a new pitman arm next if I can get one at a reasonable price. At least now I'm one step closer to a good driving truck.
 
I put one on last week and now I have MORE play in my steering wheel. A lot more. WTF?
 
munepit said:
I put one on last week and now I have MORE play in my steering wheel. A lot more. WTF?
Click to expand...

Crap. Maybe you don't have the screws tight enough? Could it be that the little u-joints are about to go out? I saved my old one in case I want to put it back on.
 
I put one on mine 2 weekends ago and I can tell a big difference...not near as sloppy as the original.
 
No, Everything it tight. It is a sweet piece too. Looks good, joints are tight. On the parts closest to the sterring wheel there is a coupling, I think its made to have a little play in it. I am going to weld it so there is no play. Hopefully that will work. I saved my orig. rag joint shaft also.
 
munepit said:
No, Everything it tight. It is a sweet piece too. Looks good, joints are tight. On the parts closest to the sterring wheel there is a coupling, I think its made to have a little play in it. I am going to weld it so there is no play. Hopefully that will work. I saved my orig. rag joint shaft also.
Click to expand...

that coupling is a rubber isolator...it may be worn.
 
popping sounds

So I got the XJ shaft good and tight now. New ball joints, recentered the steering, rebuilt steering box, new steering stabilizer (ORD steering brace is next). The truck now steers way better than it has since I've owned it. Only thing is, since I went back and tightened up the pinch bolt at the top of the XJ shaft, I hear a popping sound when I turn the steering wheel in either direction. It's not really loud, but you can hear it pretty good when you're going slow or turning the wheel while the truck isn't moving. I didn't notice this sound until I tightened the crap out of the pinch bolt on the XJ shaft, but I can't tell if that's where the noise is coming from. Could be coincidental. Has anyone else experienced this sound? Should I be concerned?
 
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