Anyone Else Cut Lower Steering Shaft for MKIV with Coyote?

[32J]

Just wondering if anyone with an MKIV and Coyote has had to cut the lower steering shaft, in order to make sure it sits flush with the inside bore of the u-joint. In my mock fit-up, the closest I can get it leaves about 1/4" proud, but it doesn't look like it will bind with the opposing knuckle as it goes 360° around.

20211113_124318.jpg

Thanks,

32J

[JohnK]

I've never heard of anyone cutting the steering shaft. Many folks (myself included) have had to mount the footbox pillow bearing on the inside of the footbox rather than the outside as shown on the instructions to have enough room for the shaft to fit properly.

Edit: Not a great picture, but you can see how I mounted the pillow bearing on the footbox.

[32J]

Great idea, thanks. That may do the trick. I'll give it a try.

32J

[wareaglescott]

2nd for the inside mount. That was how everyone was doing it when I built mine.

[32J]

Unfortunately the bearing top fange will interfere with the pedal box front mount. I exchanged messages with Dan G. and what I'll do is just split the difference between the two u-joints.

Thanks,

32J

[ggunter]

I had the same issue and mouunted the pillow block bearing inside and outside the firewall ending up on the outside and cut about 1/4" off my lower shaft just as yours shows. Worked out good.

[John Ibele]

I had the same issue and mouunted the pillow block bearing inside and outside the firewall ending up on the outside and cut about 1/4" off my lower shaft just as yours shows. Worked out good.

You can do that but you'll introduce excess slop in the pillow block, which you don't really want. And I really only needed that little bit more represented by getting the 'outside' 1/2 'inside' with the rest of the block.

It does interfere when placed inside the footbox but that's easily addressed by grinding off the top of the flange which isn't structurally vital.


Untitled by John Ibele, on Flickr

[JohnK]

Agreed - the interference is pretty easily addressed, either from the bearing flange or from the pedal box brace like this. Either way works fine.