Steering shaft upgrade

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Bar50

Royal Smart Person
Jan 1, 2009
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Well, if it's of any consequence, I ordered one for a Jeep Wrangler by accident. I beat it on the concrete to get to to slide, I mentioned it was for a Jeep Wrangler? Yeah, I had to cut the shaft down to fit a Malibu.
 
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scarborough

Master Mechanic
Sep 30, 2016
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I want to say this without hurting too many feeling since I know many have made this upgrade to u joints.

A Jeep and an Astro are not body on frame construction. That is why they do not require a floating joint.
The collapsing feature is to crush in an accident.

The original steering shaft has 2 sliders in a knuckle. There is a difference. If you had both in front of you, you can easily understand.

Also a rag joint is not a source of slop. It only is when it's broken.
if by replacing the rag joint shaft with new one would it be just as good as replacing with a Astro are jeep shaft
 
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Rt Jam

G-Body Guru
Mar 30, 2020
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Ontario Canada
Absolutely, just as good. The only place where rag joints get a bad reputation is their name. Some people think of an old shop rag connecting their steering system. It's actually fiber reinforced rubber. A super solid connection but with compliance for angle. Same joint in on the end of a driveshaft for a BMW and a Charger.

The videos floating around comparing the slop in a broken rag joint vs a universal joint. :LOL:

Replacements are available through Dorman, Mike's Monte and many other reproduction suppliers.
 
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Clone TIE Pilot

Comic Book Super Hero
Aug 14, 2011
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What ahout the lower steering column bearing upgrade? Still worth it or ovoverhype?
 

Longroof79

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Oct 14, 2008
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Well, if it's of any consequence, I ordered one for a Jeep Wrangler by accident. I beat it on the concrete to get to to slide, I mentioned it was for a Jeep Wrangler? Yeah, I had to cut the shaft down to fit a Malibu.
Perhaps the Jeep Wrangler shaft is much longer than the Cherokee shaft. or else I can't see having to cut it down.
 

Longroof79

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
G-Body of the Month
Oct 14, 2008
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What ahout the lower steering column bearing upgrade? Still worth it or ovoverhype?
I replaced the lower bearing with one from an Astro van. It seemed to have a snugger fit to it.
 
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