I notice that the guy that installed my power steering conversion on my 75 FJ40 left my steering shaft too short. I currently have about 1 1/2 inch gap between my steering box and the shaft link. You can get the rubber dounut to fit but it distroys i in about 6 - i months. Wondering what would be the chipest way to fix this? Is there a shaft extension kit?
Steering drive shaft too short to steering box
- Thread starter Alexr88
- Start date
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Sounds like the PO cut the shaft to short when he added power steering. Best bet would be to get another manual steering shaft and cut it down to the correct size. When done right the steering column is shorter with a power steering comversion of these type. You might want to check the steering box is located correctly.
- Thread starter
- #3
Yep you are correct. The steering box is to far back. The mechanic built this bracket to install the PS box. At this point all I want to address is the link part since everything else seem to work fine. Do you forsee any other probems? I think he did it this way to avoid having my 35 in. to rub against the steering box.
You mean the rag joint (steering box coupling) does not last?
Power steering should make it last longer rather than shorter. Are you buying OEM or some crappy Chinese aftermarket?
The rag joint is not designed to act as a u-joint. The two parts should be co-linear. If the shaft does not point straight into the box it will need to be redone, maybe with a u-joint. You don't want to skimp on that joint. Your life depends on it.
Power steering should make it last longer rather than shorter. Are you buying OEM or some crappy Chinese aftermarket?
The rag joint is not designed to act as a u-joint. The two parts should be co-linear. If the shaft does not point straight into the box it will need to be redone, maybe with a u-joint. You don't want to skimp on that joint. Your life depends on it.
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OEM or ping pong does not matter....
There is not a stock rag joint made that is designed to take up 1.50" difference between the steering shaft and the steering gear input shaft.
Y wouldn't you take it back to who did it and have him or her fix the crap job they did ?
- Thread starter
- #8
I am trying to figure out how to patch this and take it back to the mechanic who did this. For now, I used two of the rubber things and put two tall studs. It seems to hold fine for a quick trip (20 miles).
Does anyone has a good picture of how it should look when intalled properlly?
Does anyone has a good picture of how it should look when intalled properlly?
in all seriousness though call the mechanic and have him tow it at his expense. if he has a shop i'm sure he wouldn't want to deal with type of liability if you crash. your steering is something you DON'T wanna "patch" together while driving on the highway.
