The rubber boot over the steering shaft flex joint is torn. It is only a matter of time before the joint is worn and needs to be replaced. I have read that the Jeep Cherokee steering shaft bolts right in and has a different flex joint design that will last longer. Has anyone on this forum done this mod? I have replaced this shaft once before with a New OEM shaft 5 or 6 years ago and it was kind of expensive. If the jeeps shaft is more robust and will bolt right in I am willing to give it a shot.

 

From what I have seen the jeep fix requires re-using the upper part of the stock shaft which leaves the same problem on the upper joint just replaces the rag joint issue on the lower end (maybe someone found another way that I am thus far unaware of)
I am skipping over all the boneyard fixes (my steering shaft is currently broken at the upper "tulip joint") making a trip to summit racing today for flaming river u-joints to replace both that and the problematic rag joint
FR1717DD is the part # for the upper joint and FR1746DD for the rag joint replacement if you are interested in going this route also.

 

Thanks, for the input. I will look at the Flamming River joints as well.

 

What is required to install the flamming river joints on the existing steering shaft? I do like that solution as it seems more of a permanent fix.

 

the upper one just a drill to dimple for the set screw on the end of the column and the upper part of the steering shaft the lower is a simple matter of cutting off the rag joint and trimming the end of the shaft there is a walk through on this part of it I found on s10 forum which can be found HERE and post #10 on THIS page shows the upper part done on a 1st gen shaft.

 

Thanks for the links. I do like the U-Joint solution as it looks llike it would be a permanant fix. If the joints ever do wear the replacement would be very easy. The only thing I have to check is the diameter and spline count at my gear box. I have a shaft from S10 Pickup that I pulled from the junkyard (Unsure of the Year) but it did not fit my 89 Blazer. I could also check the S10 Shaft to see what it's dia. is first. How is the tulip joint attached? Does it have to be cut off?

 

nope just bolted on and as far as I know the steering box hasn't changed they are all 30 spline x 3/4" most issues arise when the splines are not properly lined up upon a prior re-installation and they get screwed up (think of it as threads on a partially stripped bolt)

EDIT: If you have the extra cash to spare (I don't at this point in time) Flaming river sells an entire shaft replacement with u-joints already installed ($300 iirc) but it looks MUCH beefier than the factory setup check out flamingriver.com they even offer a free printed catalog, heck you may even find one of their distributors that is local to you.

 

I think my problem with the S10 shaft was with the tulip joint. I believe it was a smaller dia. or something. It has been a while. I still have the shaft I plan on checking it out again. Maybe I can add the u-joints to that shaft and not modify my existing one in case something does not go right.

 

I did get a steering shaft from a 94 Jeep Cherokee and I posted pics in the build section. The shaft replaced both the rag and tullip joint. It was a very easy mod. See the build section for details.

 

used engines
A few of my vehicles have had leaking transfer cases and its a pain to find good salvage cores. Any one got any suggestions other than Craigslist?