desertt5

My steering shaft is loose between the input shaft to the gear box and the piece that slides into it from the column. Looks almost like there is a bushing that is missing between the two.

Searches have been no help so far. What is up? Looks like I could just weld the thing but not sure if it supposed to move with the suspension.

Here is the best pic I could get. Camera kept focusing on everything else. Blue part is from steering wheel, I can seE it move with play while the red part just sits there.

uberstang1

are you 100% positive its not the typical worn rubber rag joint? Regardless I would just replace the steering shaft and be done.

desertt5

Positive its not the coupler. You can see that all the play is in the shaft between the 2 ends in the pic. Does a new shaft come with a bushing or plastic thing that lets them slide? If so that will fix it. the top one is smaller diameter and a bushing or something would take up the play.

desertt5

Using a pic from another forum, all the play is where it is circled. There is no rubber piece on mine between the two.

cisurfer

The rubber piece doesn't make the difference. Mine was also worn how yours in. If you pull the shafts apart there's a plastic sleeve on the smaller shaft to take up the play. You need a new shaft. Mps auto salvage has them for 30$

uberstang1

All I know is I been eyeing up those solid steering shafts from MM and Flaming river for some time now, as soon as mine develops some slack, and it will with long tubes and a rubber rag joint, I will be picking up the one pictured bottom.