Steering Joint

[jesusjeep19]

This joint on my bro's xj is I'm assuming bad. The lower shaft spins about a 1/4 of an inch inside the sleeve then catches and you have steering again. It does it at all speeds and turning the wheel both ways. Does anyone know of what this part is called (so I can order a new one) and how to replace/repair it. Thanks.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o11/jesusjeep19/Amber/Steering.jpg

[djblade311]

i think its the borgeson shaft or sumthin...

[Timber]

The shaft that goes into that joint is the intermediate shaft, but I don't see any part number for the joint itself. Also, even if you just wanted the seal, you'd have to buy the whole int. shaft.

[jesusjeep19]

So I'm going to have to buy the whole shaft then, and that will come with a new joint which will in turn fix the spinning problem?

[warpigxj]

it will come from the box to the firewall. just replaced mine both ujoints were bad causeing my wheel to bind when turning

[jesusjeep19]

This is a quote of SCW. So I'm am supposed to be looking to get #31.


If you look closely at the shaft there is a U-joint at the bottom near the stub shaft protruding from the steering box. About a foot up from the U-joint is an enclosed joint (rag joint) with a bearing and nylon (?) bushing, and another u-joint directly above it.
Here is an exploded view of the part-

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/utahmom/Jeep/bob.jpg

Part # 31 is a one-piece deal that has the nylon bushing included. There is a U-joint above the rag joint, but it's the nylon in the rag joint that wears, not the joint (at least in my case). I don't believe the u-joints are rebuildable.

Part #21 was the bearing, don't bother.

HTH-
Shane

[Matthew Currie]

Although it isn't what is traditionally meant by the term "rag joint," I think that it is what now passes for a rag joint. In any case, as far as I know, it can't be fixed, so the remedy is a new intermediate shaft.

[jesusjeep19]

Alright, I'll call the dealership in the morning. Is this shaft hard to install? Possible right up?

[Matthew Currie]

Alright, I'll call the dealership in the morning. Is this shaft hard to install? Possible right up?

May depend on the year. On pre-97 I don't know of any way to do it without loosening the steering gear or the steering column to fit it in between. On 97 up you can telescope it without breaking it. Maybe someone else has a trick. When I did it on my 95 I just took two bolts out of the steering gear and pivoted it a little.

[jesusjeep19]

Moving the steering gear sounds alot easier. I didn't get time to call the dealer so tomaro it is. Thanks for the help.

[jesusjeep19]

Alright, called the dealer and they say its $220. I think thats an outrageous price but then again it is the dealership. Could I get one from a pick-n-pull? If I try to find a decent condition one, sure there are still no guarantees but just dont feel like throwing down that much so soon.

[Matthew Currie]

Alright, called the dealer and they say its $220. I think thats an outrageous price but then again it is the dealership. Could I get one from a pick-n-pull? If I try to find a decent condition one, sure there are still no guarantees but just dont feel like throwing down that much so soon.

I'd try a junkyard. Just make sure you get the right one. Later ones (97 up) apparently don't fit earlier models at the steering column end.

[jesusjeep19]

This is an idea I got earlier today cause I was thinking about this joint. Would it be possible to just drill a hole throught the entire shaft where it is slipping and then run a bolt and nut through it? Kinda like locking it again. Just an idea but I figured it would be a real easy fix. I'm just worried that it would weaken the structural integrity of the shaft. Thanks.

[ratherbcamping]

I have one off a 96 if you want it. PM me if you are interested.

Tom

[gba88]

I have one off a 96 if you want it. PM me if you are interested.

Tom

I just might need the intermediate steering shaft too. Can anyone tell me what years fit the 96 since it was the transistion year?? Would it be the 97+ or the 84+ ? Thanks!

[ricko70]

Took mine off and drilled a 1/4 inch hole through the whole thing and used vise to press in 1/4 inch roll pin from true value hardware store.
Works as new. Cost: about $1
Oh, mines a 92. Had to loosen the steering box to remove it.

[jesusjeep19]

Took mine off and drilled a 1/4 inch hole through the whole thing and used vise to press in 1/4 inch roll pin from true value hardware store.
Works as new. Cost: about $1
Oh, mines a 92. Had to loosen the steering box to remove it.
I'm definatly going to try that now.

Thanks for the offer ratherbecamping, but I'm going to try this approach first.

[ratherbcamping]

I'm definatly going to try that now.

Thanks for the offer ratherbecamping, but I'm going to try this approach first.

Okay, here's what the 96 looks like. No play in the joint and the u-joints are good. $25 shipped if anyone wants it.

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q283/rather-b-camping/P1310061.jpg

[ehall]

This is the most informative thread so I'm gonna drop here. The steering shaft part numbers were changed a few times pre-97 so I'm wondering if anybody knows if they are also interchangeable or what the differences might be. Specifically they are 84-91 (yes 1984), 92-93, and 94-96 (I think). I assume 94-96 will be different due to airbag in the colum, however that's just a WAG and I don't know.

The YJ and ZJ had different part numbers (and names too--the YJ and XJ are called "lower shaft" and the ZJ is called "intermediate shaft"). I assume that different lengths from firewall to steering box will make these non-interchangeable but again I haven't gone to look.

Anybody have any of these details?

I think I'm going to try the roll-pin trick or maybe use a brass machine screw that will shear more easily, but I'm interested in my options