XJ steering shaft mods

[dcubb]

Since the XJ steering shaft swap seems to be very popular, I thought I'd throw in my two cents based on my experience with them.

On almost every single junkyard shaft that I've dealt with, the shaft would rotate slightly in itself at the integral dampener, resulting in still somewhat mushy steering feel.

Also, after removing the internal plastic sleeve between the two halves, there was always just a touch of rotational slop that I could detect at the steering wheel.

First off, once I get the shaft apart, I slip a large washer over the shaft and then weld it to the shaft and the dampener sleeve thus rendering it solid. Or, in case of the other style shaft (the black one), I just make a couple of passes on the dampener tangs to lock it all together.

Then I weld a piece of 1/4" x 5/8" x about 3" long flat stock to the shaft and then drill and tap for four 5/16" set screws.

I've gotten great results with these mods so far.

 

[cheyennek20]

I see you are a vendor. Do you sell this Modified Shaft? If so, how much?

 

[dcubb]

No, I build and sell engine crossmembers and panhard bar setups.

 

[Leper]

lol, I want that shaft.

 

[cheyennek20]

lol, I want that shaft.

I really should have phrased that better.

 

[cheyennek20]

No, I build and sell engine crossmembers and panhard bar setups.

Is this a modification that has to be done, or is this a bolt on steering Item.

 

[dcubb]

It's an improvement over the stock rag joint, but not necessarily something that has to be done.

 

[cheyennek20]

What should one of these cost?

 

[habitatxskate]

20 from a junkyard or so. you can do a search and come up with a thread about it. i plan on doing it..and in the thread it says what years and what not

 

[nad]

Here's the tech article about it: http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169874

It's a pretty simple swap, he just reinforced it a bit more. Probably wouldn't be a bad idea, I've had a stock pile of these in the past, but never noticed any slop in them. I haven't put one on my truck yet (not like a little more slop in my steering would be noticable)

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

yeh its a super simple mod...and alot better. lol the one i got didnt have a dampener and i havd to shorten mine like 2 inches..and drilling the hea
d is that hard

 

[dcubb]

yeh its a super simple mod...and alot better. lol the one i got didnt have a dampener and i havd to shorten mine like 2 inches..and drilling the hea
d is that hard

I'm not doubting you, but I've never seen one that didn't have a dampener of some kind. Take a pic of yours if you don't mind. Would just like to satisfy my curiosity. Always looking to become more educated about what's out there.

Exactly what part are you talking about drilling, again?