Jeep shaft installed

[Rewind]

They head honcho showed me why, by grabbing the shaft and moved it about 1.5" in any direction. (!)

Is the slack still there with the org. shaft?

 

[sewlow]

There is some, but because there are no universals in the original shaft, it's barely noticeable. The only play that is in there is where the one shaft slips over the other.

 

[Rewind]

That does bring up an interesting point............I wonder if anyone else that has made the swap will have problems when they go to have an alignment done.

 

[sewlow]

Well, I'm getting used to doing things two or three times over!
Three different custom exhaust systems, 3 different sets of headlights, 2 different sets of bumper lights, 2 different sets of taillights, 3 different front bumpers, 2 rear suspension set-ups, 4 alternators, 3 fuel pumps, 4 sets of wheels, & on & on & on.
If something is worth doing, might as well do it again!
And again.
And again.
But thanks to the forum, I'm (slowly) learning how to do things right the first time! I think.

 

[ChrisAU]

Your steering shaft has absolutely nothing to do with alignment. If they were trying to get your steering wheel straight, and blamed the jeep shaft for the movement in your column, then that is wrong.

An alignment can successfully be done with no steering shaft at all on our trucks and a motor attached to the steering wheel turning it 400 mph while they do it. Absolutely no effect on alignment.

 

[sewlow]

They said that this wasn't an alignment issue, so much as a steering issue. The head guy explained that the movement in the shaft would create a dead spot in the steering when it was at center. I'd be able to move the wheel a certain amount, without any of the input reaching the steering box, itself. Maybe they were covering their own butts, so that I wouldn't come back at them saying that the truck wandered when driving in a straight line, after the alignment, & blame it on them.

 

[WFO4X4]

i don't really understand why they claim it's the jeep shaft... it's got nothing to do with that sort of play. HOWEVER, i do realise they would pass on aligning it with an aftermarket or "homemade" sort of upgrade. they didn't install it and don't want to work on something that isn't installed by them personaly.

 

[nate3531]

They said that this wasn't an alignment issue, so much as a steering issue. The head guy explained that the movement in the shaft would create a dead spot in the steering when it was at center. I'd be able to move the wheel a certain amount, without any of the input reaching the steering box, itself. Maybe they were covering their own butts, so that I wouldn't come back at them saying that the truck wandered when driving in a straight line, after the alignment, & blame it on them.

I wouldn't take it off, and find another shop. Or put the piece of **** rag joint on, get it aligned and then swap it back out. Trust me, there is NO play with a jeep shaft installed unless it is other components.

 

[sewlow]

there is NO play with a jeep shaft installed unless it is other components.

That's what I was thinking. I've never had one of these columns apart. Has anyone else noticed any play in the end of the column where it comes through the firewall, when they've had the shaft from the box to the column off? Is there a bushing/bearing inside there, close to the firewall end of the column, that I should be checking? That's where the play that I was shown seemed to be coming from.

 

[bluex]

I'm going to try out the Jeep shaft I grabbed this weekend on my 98 tomorrow I hope. I will let you guys know how it goes