steering box
- Thread starter Nowers
- Start date
Just to be sure, This shaft is an almost new Dorman 425-284. Installed by a shop who didn't really want to be involved. It appears to have a rubber boot at the very bottom. I assume that would be access to the outside of the slip joint. I've read that there are nylon pins or some plastic membrane within the joint which makes it hard to collapse. I've seen U-Tube of mechanics heating the shaft to melt the plastic, but I'm unsure of what I have here and hate to go flaming away around the wires and hoses.
This is Dorman's exact replacement for a 94 cherokee. They wont help because it's off lablel. For some reason there is about an eighth inch radial gap in the coupling at the top of the shaft. It's not in either u-joint, and the u-joints are securely clamped to the splined shafts at the top and at the gear box. This coupling is actually part of the upper u-joint, and it mates with the outer shaft by means of a disc like part. I keep the truck more for it classic value than to drive. I had a lot of work done on the front suspension and steering, but just never wanted to take it back to the asshole who did the work. If I can get it off and convince myself there is sufficient axial free play, I'll probably weld it.