jeep steering shaft problem

[awdblazer]

so when i was trying to free up my used shaft i guess i used too much heat and melted both of the inserts
anything i can do to fix this? or get a new shaft?
thanks

 

[pontiacgp]

if you get an astro/safari shaft from a 2 wheel drive you won't have that problem

 

[Longroof79]

At this point, you're probably better off replacing the shaft...depending on how loose it is after you heated it up.
I would go with Steve's recommendation about using the Astro/ Safari shaft. Although I'm somewhat satisfied with the Jeep Cherokee shaft, I may eventually swap over to the Astro shaft myself.

 

[bubbameano]

Have the Astro shaft on my 83 Camino & it's great !

 

[oldsofb]

I have the same steering shaft and it was a pain getting it out of the junker because the two shafts were fixed together. It reminded me of stock u-joints where they are held with injected plastic you have to burn out to replace.

I just pulled mine off the shelf and slid the two shafts together. There is almost no play. I may drill a small hole (or two) and thread it for a set screw that I can screw down and eliminate any possible play. The two shafts slide together far enough that coming apart isn't an issue.

I would do this vs buying a whole new shaft. This also lets the shaft collapse in case of an accident.

Hutch

 

[G-boz]

If you don't want to replace it, You can maybe use a shim to tighten the "gap" that the burnt out bushings caused, this may remove any play in the ends.
The later year jeeps have vented shafts that don't need heating, these shafts have a rubber peice On the outside in the middle

Keep in mind, on the Astro shafts, the column end has to be removed and turned 90 degrees then welded
They aren't s direct bolt on.

 

[pontiacgp]

If you don't want to replace it, You can maybe use a shim to tighten the "gap" that the burnt out bushings caused, this may remove any play in the ends.
The later year jeeps have vented shafts that don't need heating, these shafts have a rubber peice On the outside in the middle

Keep in mind, on the Astro shafts, the column end has to be removed and turned 90 degrees then welded
They aren't s direct bolt on.

you do not reweld anything, watch that video. It takes 15 minutes to turn the u-joint and another couple to grind the grove for the bolt. I have done two of them and I need to do another for jeremy. Also the astro/safari shafts have a rubber sleeve that protects them so they are like new. There is no rust to remove or any problem with them being frozen.

 

[G-boz]

you do not reweld anything,

wow, hopefully that joint doesn't move on you.

 

[pontiacgp]

wow, hopefully that joint doesn't move on you.

it's obvious you have no idea what you are talking about

 

[G-boz]

Really, I pulled several of those shafts.
If you don't want to weld the top joint so be it. At least I hope you somehow rescuer the joint like stock with the tabs, I would hate to see your setup "strip" while driving.