who needs those HIGH $$$ steering joints, not me! ! !

as everyone knows i'm one cheap SOB when it come to building my rides, always was & always will be. with then help of family, friends & great deals i have been able to keep my cost really down on Large Marge && here's just another example of what a cheap SOB i am. i love to go to the boneyards to find stuff to help cut the cost on everything & here's one of my good finds.
over the years i have collected different GM FWD & Chevy Astro Van steering joints all using the Double D shafts & tubes.


This is off a fullsize FWD GM car & this 1/2 is attached on the column
http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/57/757...7cHttVn_th.jpg



not a clear pic but this end will except a double D Tube
http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/57/557...7quoQdy_th.jpg



This Double D Tube will except a double D shaft.
http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/59/559...7bpELui_th.jpg



This is what one looks like before you take it apart
http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/57/757...7itKaNp_th.jpg



This is 1/2 of the Astro Van steering shaft.
http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/53/653...7BylDTT_th.jpg



These are easily found on I believe every GM trucks & RWD cars. You'll get about 6inches of Double "D" tube & about 12inches of shaft(LMAO)
http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/59/459...7FGrDMK_th.jpg


This is the lowwer part of a Chevy Astro Van steering joint && the BIGG plus is that it has a vibration damper built in. I also drill a spot in the double D shaft so I could use a set screw & jam nut to hold everything in place.
http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/53/653...7pOkoVs_th.jpg



I'm using 1/2 FWD GM & 1/2 Chevy Astro Van steering joints to make up the steering joint going through the firewall. The piece of pipe you see coming out of the firewall is an exhaust pipe reducer. I cut the end of a steering column off w/the bearing & welded the piece of tubing(that holds the bearing) into the exhaust reducer. I did it for extra support & to help seal the cab from exhaust fumes.
http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/57/457...7HKOOpj_th.jpg



Using a FWD steering column the male part of the steering joint going through an Exhaust pipe reducer.
http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/57/457...7mwlXjL_th.jpg



This shows the complete set up. All that needs to be done is to weld or bolt the piece of pipe that holds the Hiem Joint to the frame. The reason for the hiem joint is the steering column bearing that I used on the outside of the firewall to help support everything isn't a snug fit & this is one place OVERKILL is a good idea.
http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/57/657...7SKrysZ_th.jpg



if for some reason the pics dont show up look on THIS PAGE it the last page in my Large Marge pics on Webshots

Just as long as we dont have to peel you off the guardrail! I also do the frugal thing alot just because I love boneyards!

and I thought I was the only guy that did that.;)

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Originally Posted by bigdude

Just as long as we dont have to peel you off the guardrail! I also do the frugal thing alot just because I love boneyards!

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if that happens i have more problems then just the steering, any place the is a double D shaft going into a double D tube it has a set screw & locking nut to keep it in place. i drove our 40 chevy for 10yrs w/a shorter version of what u see w/o any problems in the over 50,000 miles we put on the car && why buy those HIGH $$$ Borgeson Joints when these do the same thing...joe

Nothing personal Joe. They do the same job, but I would still prefer a new Borgeston U-joint and a splined coupler on a solid steering shaft.... Nothing wrong with junkyard stuff. but someplaces I really prefer the new, clean looking pieces over the bulky and clunky OEM stuff....

I am cheap too, but when it comes to safety for myself and others I spend more. I think thats theres no excuse not to use the correct parts no matter how cheap some one is. Not using the correct parts does not have anything to do being cheap .:whacked: :whacked: :whacked:

I make a trip to the junkyard all the time, every chance I get.

I look at it this way, if it is good enuff for GM to use for the past umteen yrs then there should be no problems now plus it's basicly the same stuff Borgeson sells. hell some of u folks are driving by wire now, electronic steering even & what about Ford & those fine stranded cable steering couplers. main thing is this is safe IF u install it correctly just like anyother part....joe

Toomany I like this idea. The auto manufacture went thru design and safety before it used them. I fugure as long as proper securing and support are maintained its as safe as anything available. I hope i can locate some of the same for the A. It will have to be all ford though .

Tuesday's are half price even at the U-Pull it yard.

I have a throttle by wire amazing how it feels just like a cable and spring set up. I just hope i dont wear out the wire from my footing it (LOL)

From what i'm learning all parts have been adapted from some type of doner vehicle . Even Borgenson Didn't invent the steering assembly they adapted to it .

I use the stuff from 'auto recycling' yards as often as possible - but I wont compromise on safety items. The vehicle that you take a steering part from is there for a reason that does't always come from sudden stops - like against a large oak tree - sometimes that vehicle is just plain worn out with 150-200,000 miles on it - including the steering flex joints. When, IMHO, I equate the perceived savings between a shiny new one at $65 versus driving xxx miles to the yard , spending xx hours searching and pulling 'just the right piece'(MAYBE), then taking it then xxx miles back home, spending xx hours cleaning the rust and years and miles of crud off it, I have a problem. Where are the savings? Especially if it's damaged, not the 'right' one - and the yard wont take it back.
(You can fill in the x's with your number for miles and hours)

But as with most of us we have more hours to tinker with small stuff . I mean money is not a issue here except at tax time LOL. Safety is of the utmost importance . A skilled mechanic can diagnose a bad bearing or worn part. I see alot of low mileage vehicles in the yards from just drive line failure or electrical . A rear end collision will not effect steering mechanism's Nothing wrong with good used parts keep millions of people on the road daily.

I see nothing wrong with "recycled" steering parts like these, as long as the builder is careful to inspect them for damage or wear.

The thing that has always concerned me about used suspension and steering parts, is what they went through in their former life.... If the donor is intact and shows no sign of major hits or tumbles, should be ok. My other reason is the Borgeson (and others) U-Joints, and the new double U-Joint are just so clean looking compared to the clunky OEM parts, and those needle bearings in the joints make for silky smooth steering.....

But Dave . . . what do you use on your rat rods? ;)

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Originally Posted by Henry Rifle

But Dave . . . what do you use on your rat rods? ;)

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ON MY WHAT???????????????????????????????????????????????:eek: :eek:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Henry Rifle

But Dave . . . what do you use on your rat rods? ;)

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i about spit my drink all over my screen :LOL: :whacked: :rolleyes: ..joe

i have used the stock u joints.I had a guy stop by the shop that work at saginaw steering gear just down the road a bit. he told me they are very strong and that the the joint will not fail before any thing like the body for the U-joint.I have used them were looks were not a big deal any thing is better than 1/2 stocket drive U-joints ? boy i should have not said that some rat rod guy may be using some:D or smoking a joint

here's a couple more pic's of everything ...joe


http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/57/457...7LRwVXe_th.jpg
Frome left to right.. 1st steering joint goes to the steering box, this is the lowwer half of a Chevy Astro Van & has the same splines as the S10 steering box I'm using. 2nd is a piece of double D tubing which connects the 1st steering joint to a piece of double D shaft w/a piece of double D tube attached to it which goes to a steering joint. As you can tell everything has been drilled & tapped for set screws & lock nuts for safety.


http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/59/459...7crwwsV_th.jpg
As you can see both the Double D shaft & tube has be drilled & tapped for set screws & jam nuts for safety. Personally I believe this is a must.


http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/53/453...7VsZmRK_th.jpg
From left to right. 1st is the double D shaft & tube w/the tube having a set screw & jam nut. 2nd is the outer steering joint w/a lowwer steering column bearing attached which goes into the tube that is coming out of the firewall to help hold the hold everything(EXTRA SAFETY) You can't see it but it also has a set screw & nut on the double D tube. Also I'm adding a set screw & jam nut to the opposite side of the locking bolt for added safety. 3rd is the inner steering joint that attaches to the column on the inside of the cab. 4th Last but not least is the bottom of the 93 Buick Park Ave steering column that I'm using.


http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/59/759...7xFNVkd_th.jpg
This is how I mounted the Hiem Joint to the frame. I simply took a piece of pipe & mounted the Hiem Joint to it by welding a jam nut to the pipe & then had a friend chuck it in his lathe & clean up my weld. Then I took some angle iron & made a mount to bolt it to the frame.


http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/59/759...7uXjQez_th.jpg
As you can see everything is bolted together & looks good. It may look like the steering shaft is touching the exhaust manifold but really it's about an inch away from it. The upper joint is almost 2 inches away from the manifolds.


http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/59/559...7Mrjmgx_th.jpg

Be sure that you have some space between your Hiem Joint & any tubing you are using. You need this for body & frame flex so the shaft can side with in the Hiem Joint if it needs to.



As you can see the steering is complete w/a Hiem Joint to secure everything along w/the set screws & lock nuts for added safety............ PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASEEEEE be sure to check any used parts that you do use on your own projects for wear & defects along w/adding set screws & jam nuts w/lock tight for that added safety. REMEMBER that this is one place that SAFETY OVERKILL is a good thing.

toomany clean work. It looks really natural installed and made for the bus . I like the pic lay out off the build. A novice like me can see and say i can make a change and it would work on my build. Great work again


I like the green lock tight as long as someone else takes it apart (LOL)

hey Bob, ya want to know a secret????????:D













i have no idea what i'm doing:eek: :whacked: , it's all just common sense to me. but then my mom did say i have 90w running through my veins & the wife says i work on stuff in my sleep.....joe

I cant imagine what you'll build when you do know what your doing (LOL)

Hey TooMany, Large Marge is a hoot! I thought I was the only crazy one. Check out Frankenbolt. I think I've used yer philosophy all the way through! :LOL: I dont know how else I would have built it.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sharig...=/3fcd&.src=ph

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Originally Posted by jimmyjeep

Hey TooMany, Large Marge is a hoot! I thought I was the only crazy one. Check out Frankenbolt. I think I've used yer philosophy all the way through! :LOL: I dont know how else I would have built it. [/url]

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arent u over on Stovebolt too??? cause i think i've seen ur work over there or somewhere else or even here :whacked: :whacked: :whacked: unless i seen the Frankenbolt name used somewhere else in another forum. &&& folks thought i was nuts for stuffing a caddy mtr in mine, hell u went w/a MOPAR mtr it looks like....joe

Joe, do you know that Jon from www.hotrodders.com used your pics on this project, and made his very own wiki article about junkyard steering? I didn't see any credit given to you ither.

Isn't Jon one of the main honchos on that board, and shouldn't he know better?

yeppp Jon runs that place & it's ok guy's he asked if he could use them, heck he copied them from my post on his website. BUT i might have to give him a little ribbing about giving me credit. i guess i'm known world wide now, like i wasn't already :whacked: :eek: :rolleyes: :LOL: ...joe

All of those pictures and parts look really good. Replaced my steering components with new Borgeson shafts and joints. Car was initially built for the drags before being converted to a street rod. Still had military spec steering components until recently. :eek: Still worked just fine, checked them all the time for wear and tear. :D In the car since the late 80's with no problems. Not cheap parts.....cost about the same as Borgeston or Flaming River parts, just not recommended for street use. Have never used junk yard parts in mission critical areas. Like to know the history of my parts so I probably never will.

but think about this, how many TRUE revolutions that steering joint really makes compared to the number of time a driveshaft or a PTO shaft makes before it ever wears out. i've seen the u-joints in own 84 suburban got over 100,000 mile b4 i changed them & even when i took the apart the grease was still good & there were no marks visible on the cross-shaft.
i dont want someone to hurt themselves & if there is ANY DOUBT in their minds whether or not a USED part is still good enough to use or they don't have the knowledge how to check for wear/defects then by all means buy a new parts.......joe

Joe can i get a Autograph . My first hot rod celebrity . You've been published great work . Route im going but waiting on it to get back in the 30's before i go site seeing in the yard.

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Originally Posted by bluestang67

Joe can i get a Autograph . My first hot rod celebrity . You've been published great work . Route im going but waiting on it to get back in the 30's before i go site seeing in the yard.

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hey Bob u need to step away from the exhaust :LOL: :whacked: :rolleyes:
things MUST be getting bad when i'm consider a hot rod celebrity :eek: :LOL:
thanks for the complement though.....joe