In need of steering shaft for 87-93 power rack and Mk3.1

[Tomh440]

Hi all,
Been awhile since i've been here on the site but I need help. This past year I was diagnosed with MS, yes it sucks but i'll muddle by. It has left me with a weak right arm and so I have decided to put power steering on my Mk3.1 that I built in 2006. With the help of a few of my great Cobra family here in Austin we got most everything done except the steering shaft. I didn't know the splined rack shaft to the F5 steering shaft was different so I am trying to find the right part.
Breeze only had the shaft for Mk1 or 2, and Factory Five is out of stock of the right shaft for the Mk3.1 with power so I am scrambling to find it. I guess it was the one shipped with the original kit since many people just used the donor rack even without power.

Anyway, long story short, if anybody has a steering shaft for a Mk3.1 and a power rack they are not using I will gladly buy it from you and pay shipping.

Many thanks and hope everyone has a wonderful new year!
Tom Harrison

[edwardb]

Sorry to hear about the diagnosis. But I applaud your determination to deal with it. Pretty sure you don't need a complete new steering shaft. Just the proper power steering adapter. Part number #14554. It should plug onto your existing steering shaft and an 87-93 PS rack. I don't have one around (sorry) but maybe someone else does.

[CraigS]

My memory is fuzzy on the 3.1 steering shaft but be aware that the shaft piece w/ the two flat sides can be bought by itself and then cut to whatever length you need. I think that this, plus the adapter EdwardB mentions, will get you going.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/aaf-all52175?seid=srese1&cm_mmc=pla-google-_-shopping-_-srese1-_-allstar-performance&gclid=CMOy0ayHq9ECFZVWDQodHsYIIQ
Double check the dimensions of this to be sure it matches.

[Tomh440]

Sorry to hear about the diagnosis. But I applaud your determination to deal with it. Pretty sure you don't need a complete new steering shaft. Just the proper power steering adapter. Part number #14554. It should plug onto your existing steering shaft and an 87-93 PS rack. I don't have one around (sorry) but maybe someone else does.

Yea, the shaft I have does not have a provision to replace the adapter. Thanks.

[marlin]

I had the same adapter issue with my 3.1. You maybe able to use a mixture of a shaft and new universal joint fittings from these people. http://www.woodwardsteering.com/
Hope it helps.
Marlin

[Tomh440]

I had the same adapter issue with my 3.1. You maybe able to use a mixture of a shaft and new universal joint fittings from these people. http://www.woodwardsteering.com/
Hope it helps.
Marlin

Wow! That may just work, I can make up the whole shooting match, thanks!

[Jeff Kleiner]

Tom,
If your car was built in 2006 it is a Mk3, not a 3.1 (3.1 was introduced in 2008). Their steering shafts are entirely different from one another. If it is a Mk3 your steering shaft will look something like this and the part number 14554 adapter won't work.

http://www.ffcars.com/forums/attachments/factory-five-roadsters/46177d1365691137-power-steering-ujoints.jpg

To couple a Mk3 shaft shaft to the rack you'll need a Unisteer #8050500

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/uis-8050500

Good luck with the both PS conversion and your health challenges!

Jeff

[Tomh440]

Jeff, as usual you are correct! Its been awhile since I've been active working on it and forgot it is a Mk3. And that part is exactly what I need! Ordering right now, many thanks and I feel I have stopped this dreaded disease with Chemo and rebooting my immune system so hope to be here well into the future!
Bless everybody here!
Tom

[Tomh440]

It looks like the FFR shaft is .650 so larger than the 9/16. Any thoughts?

[Tomh440]

Ooops, sorry looked at the caliper wrong............ It looks like .550 so perfect!

[Mark Reynolds]

Although Unisteer joint recommend above may make the connection, I would stay away from it. The reason is the joint is so massive that the pinch bolts can't compress the splines and so have little to no clamping ability and both spline connections will be loose. If you do get it I would recommend a. returning it and finding the Woodward pieces that fit (Weld to existing shaft) or b. having a machine shop continue the saw cut into the opposite side of the joint or significantly turn down the OD so the small pinch screws have a chance of compressing the splines.
As we discussed on the phone the easiest thing to do is trade with another Mk3 owner with the black shaft that is switching from power to manual.

[Tomh440]

I'd love to find somebody that has a part they don't need. I'll buy it or give them a manual rack.

[Papa]

Another good source for steering components/parts: http://www.flamingriver.com/

[billybobracing]

Hi Tom,
I have one, actually I have two, lower steering shafts for Mk III with power steering. If you'll pay shipping, you can have one. I'll send you pics to your email if you like. I have found a way to get U.S. shipping rates from Montana to you, so not as bad as it used to be. Let me know your address if you want one.
Cheers
Bill

[Tomh440]

Hi Tom,
I have one, actually I have two, lower steering shafts for Mk III with power steering. If you'll pay shipping, you can have one. I'll send you pics to your email if you like. I have found a way to get U.S. shipping rates from Montana to you, so not as bad as it used to be. Let me know your address if you want one.
Cheers
Bill

Hi Bill,
Im at:

9509 Woody Ridge View
Austin, Tx.
78730

Can't thank you enough!

[Tomh440]

And let me know how to repay you.
Thank you!

[FFRSpec72]

And let me know how to repay you.
Thank you!

What did you screw up ?

[billybobracing]

Tom, I sent you a PM.
Bill

[Tomh440]

What did you screw up ?

More than you know.