View Full Version : Steering shaft/bearing question
The end goal is to get the lower steering shaft installed (onto rack and through bearings) without removing the power steering rack. I thought it was a good idea at the time - I installed the rack a while ago, but didn't do the shaft at the same time. Now I understand why the manual says put the shaft in place first! You can't - let me rephrase that - I can't on my car - get the shaft high enough to allow the shaft connector on to the rack. A quick search resulted in a couple of threads on the topic and at least one respondent suggested putting the flange for the steering shaft bearing INSIDE the footbox instead of on the outside.
Your thoughts? Any reason why putting the bearing flange on the inside might not be a good idea? I think that will solve the problem.
Tom Mauldin
07-30-2016, 07:13 PM
You can put it on the inside. It won't hurt anything.
Jeff Kleiner
07-30-2016, 07:16 PM
Agree with Tom, and in fact when using a vacuum brake booster you have to put it inside to get clearance.
Jeff
edwardb
07-30-2016, 09:30 PM
On my current build with a PS rack, I also had to put the lower bearing on the inside of the footbox. I couldn't put it on the outside for the very reason you mention. The steering shaft wouldn't plug onto the already installed rack. Also put it on the inside on another build with the vacuum power brake booster as Jeff mentioned. Works fine.
grluisi150
08-02-2016, 11:31 AM
I have my steering shaft bearing on the outside of the footbox and have my PS rack mounted as far forward as possible (very similar to the Breeze solid mounts). It's tight but I can remove the steering shaft from the PS rack..
CalR80
08-02-2016, 01:38 PM
I just had the same issue. I removed the two bolts from the rack, gently tapped it down a bit and the coupler went right on.
Norm B
08-02-2016, 03:55 PM
I had to go and look to jog my old memory. The way I solved the issue was to remove the connector from the U joint on the steering shaft. One set screw holds it in place. I then slid the connector as far as it would go onto the rack and back onto the steering shaft. Tightened up both set srews and was good to go.
HTH
Norm