Steering Shaft Question

[Rob M.]

Okay,

Rebuilding the steering column and I'm in the process of taking everything apart. I would like input on the condition of the lower section of the steering shaft. The bearings were bad and I'm concerned about the wear. Should I get a new one?

Thanks

BTW - I am not a fan of the new system. It took more than an hour to get a photo uploaded and I don't know why it finally worked in the "simple" mode, but not the advanced.

[Russ S.]

Re: Steering Shaft Question

Not saying this is what you should do but if it were mine, I would weld it up and have a machine shop turn it back down. That way you save the part.

[Dan B.]

Re: Steering Shaft Question

Not saying this is what you should do but if it were mine, I would weld it up and have a machine shop turn it back down. That way you save the part.

I agree, and you will end up with a better part than a repro. Don't even think of putting it back without fixing it.
Dan

[Wayne M.]

Re: Steering Shaft Question

Rob -- no expert, here; only replaced one steering shaft with a GM original, back about 1992. See pic below. Mine was really gone; could have sheared off when hitting a deep pothole while holding the steering wheel firmly. Hard to believe that previous owners could accept the slop when driving. In your case, tend to agree with other suggestions to build up with weld and machine down to original diameter. Just make sure that the metallurgical properties of the deposited weld metal and the heat affected zone on the remaining original shaft have not compromised the torque shear properties. As for my old shaft -- I threw it away.



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[Rob M.]

Re: Steering Shaft Question

All,

Thank you for the suggestion. I will look into that option - I zero experience welding and no equipment.

Are the repro shafts no good? Poor quality? What?

[Jim S.]

Re: Steering Shaft Question

While examining my steering shaft I also notice wear. Mine is certainly not as bad as Wayne's ! So my question is : How much wear is excessive and how much is livable?

I enclose the two pictures of mine to use a a reference.

Thanks ,

Jim

[Jim S.]

Re: Steering Shaft Question

Nothing like trying to answer a question where the steering operation of your Corvette could be compromised. I believe that the reason that the early, energy absorbing (first generation) 1967-68 Corvette steering columns were campaigned was to replace the lower bearing that could fail and cause hardened bearing parts to gouge and wear into the steering shaft. Those first gen steering shafts were tubular where they engaged the lower column bearing. The pictures of the shaft would indicate that you may an earlier vintage Corvette wih a solid steering shaft. A solid shaft is certainly going to be much more robust than a hollow energy absorbing one that was designed to telescope in a frontal collision.

One big problem would be sharp stress risers dug into the surface of the steering shaft. Offset of the steering column as it attaches to the flexible coupling on the steering gear input shaft then could cause the shaft to fatigue and break. Dynamic motion of the Vette body versus the chassis could cause the column shaft to be offset from the steering gear. I would say that if you can polish the surface of the steering shaft so that the wear marks disappear, then you will be OK.

Steering column steering shaft service parts are very hard to locate for nearly all generations of Vettes. I wish you luck in finding a replacement.

Jim

[Jim S.]

Re: Steering Shaft Question

Hi Jim,

You are correct , and I should have stated that my shaft is from a 66 vette,just like Rob's , and is indeed solid.

Would not polishing down the shaft then require a sleeve at least,or the additon of some welded material and a turn down as suggested earlier, for fitment issues ?

I guess what I was really asking was : doesn't everybody's shaft show some wear after 40 plus years of use, and how much is too much ?

Jim

[Jim S.]

Re: Steering Shaft Question

All of the steering column bearings should have an inner race. The ball bearings should be riding on the race. If things are lubricated and the bearing doesn't fail. There should not be any appreciable wear on the steering shaft itself. The real problem is when the bearing comes apart, the balls fall onto the street and the steering shaft is now free to rub against the remains of the bearing. I'm sorry but I can't quantify how much is too much wear.
Jim

[Jim S.]

Re: Steering Shaft Question

" There should not be any appreciable wear on the steering shaft itself."

Thanks Jim, That does indeed answer my question.

[Jim S.]

Re: Steering Shaft Question

I have never actually seen advertisements for repo steering shafts. I assume that places like Steering Columns Galore has an inventory of steering shafts from wrecks and previous rebuilds. Possibly a company like Ididit or Flaming River could machine a steering column steering shaft to match a Saginaw original. (Whether they would do it or you could afford it is another question.)
Jim