I’m thinking problem in the column. I’ll take a pic when I get home but I Know my wheel isn’t that close to the column.
CK5
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XJ steering shaft issues
- Thread starter 4x4blaze
- Start date
dammit, I wanna know!
bad shot so ill try and get a better pic later but here is mine... under hood..
This thread has me nervous about mine causing issues since the body transplant with a 1" lift..
But mine currently looks like this.
But mine currently looks like this.
I think that looks better. If you flex it, does it get worse?
handloader90
Building!
Express shaft ftw!
No plastic to heat up, nice and long if it has to be.
Next to free junkyard borgeson.
No plastic to heat up, nice and long if it has to be.
Next to free junkyard borgeson.
Got a year range to look for?
handloader90
Building!
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Well, I believe that I am going to go with the express van shaft.. I also like that it can telescope freely compared to the jeep shaft, which seems to be its biggest issue. And I've done a bit of research and i believe the shaft we want is part GM #26080253..
Seems like they run about $200 new, but I'm sure you can find them way cheaper at the junkyard obviously
Seems like they run about $200 new, but I'm sure you can find them way cheaper at the junkyard obviously
Thanks for the pics! Yeah something is definitely up with mine... Just ordered a rebuild kit for it
handloader90
Building!
Be warned those express shafts are not easy to remove from the vans...
Took me about 2 hours to get one out.
I think it was worth it though.
Took me about 2 hours to get one out.
I think it was worth it though.
I can imagine! Those van's are pretty crammed under the hood! And as goofy as this may sound I think I'm just going to order a new one.. Can always return it if it doesnt work (Which I have no reason to believe it wont)
I was tempted to grab an XJ steering shaft at the boneyard,but I'm pretty sure my '82 GMC has the same "large splined" end on the colum,like the 70's 4x4 colum I saved,the alternative shafts only fit the squared off "D" colums I'm pretty sure..
It's the rubber disc I'd want to get rid of most--I've only had 2 of the upper swivel joints on older trucks steering shafts get sloppy enough to justify replacing,both had body lifts too,which I'm sure didn't help any..
I found a u-joint off a FWD car (Olds Omega ?) years ago,that happens to fit the steering box splines,it was lying under the car on the ground!..
I saved it,in case someday I want to chop off the rubber disc and replace it with the u-joint style..it appears the square end might slide right in my original steering shaft maybe,once its cut..
It's the rubber disc I'd want to get rid of most--I've only had 2 of the upper swivel joints on older trucks steering shafts get sloppy enough to justify replacing,both had body lifts too,which I'm sure didn't help any..
I found a u-joint off a FWD car (Olds Omega ?) years ago,that happens to fit the steering box splines,it was lying under the car on the ground!..
I saved it,in case someday I want to chop off the rubber disc and replace it with the u-joint style..it appears the square end might slide right in my original steering shaft maybe,once its cut..
000935
If you are about to drop $200 on an express shaft, I'd consider the extra $23 and get a Borgeson 000935 from Summit. I am on the fence too, but think it may be worth it.
I’ve got 8k brutal miles over 6 years on a $5 XJ shaft.
I suppose when the XJ Jeeps are all crushed and they aren’t selling the new shafts for $100 anymore, the newer express vans should still be around. You guys are reinventing the wheel while the wheel is still perfect and dirt cheap. Some of us cavemen are wondering why, but go for it. I’ll have to see one in person to really care I guess.
Not a sarcastic
I suppose when the XJ Jeeps are all crushed and they aren’t selling the new shafts for $100 anymore, the newer express vans should still be around. You guys are reinventing the wheel while the wheel is still perfect and dirt cheap. Some of us cavemen are wondering why, but go for it. I’ll have to see one in person to really care I guess.
Not a sarcastic
Those Borgenson steering shafts are designed to fit only Borgenson steering columns, and do not fit OEM steering columns. I know because I ordered one only to find that out, and send it back to Jegs to get my money back. Those Borgenson steering shafts are splined on the steering column side, and not D-shaped on the steering column side like factory steering shafts. Borgenson steering columns are splined on the steering column shaft, unlike OEM steering column shafts that are D-shaped.
I’ve got 8k brutal miles over 6 years on a $5 XJ shaft.
I suppose when the XJ Jeeps are all crushed and they aren’t selling the new shafts for $100 anymore, the newer express vans should still be around. You guys are reinventing the wheel while the wheel is still perfect and dirt cheap. Some of us cavemen are wondering why, but go for it. I’ll have to see one in person to really care I guess.
Not a sarcastic
The reason I want to change and/or find a better alternative is because this thing has been nothing but a total pain since I installed it. Had none of these issues before this shaft went in with the wheel being too tight, fighting to get the thing to fit the column end (which still isn't perfect), etc. The biggest downfall in my opinion is that it's not "free floating". The having to get it hot to get it in, then it binding, is just far from ideal. The frame is going to flex slighty. And an 1/8 inch goes a long way with something that already has tight clearances and was never intended to receive push/pull pressure.
I just dont like it and it doesnt seem right. So therefore, I am not a fan. But to each there own! I just feel like there are better options available! May cost a little bit more, but we should have known what we were getting ourselves into...
Heat the fork out of it and make it loosey goosey like mine.
