Steering UJ's and arm

[ClassicChimaera]

I've recently experienced notchy steering so pulled the UJ's apart. Top one is knackered.
Here's my dilemma.
2000 car and I have the (long UJ ) at the top which is about 115 mm long which are no longer available.
Two options
1 have my original UJ repaired
2 change to the shorter UJ and buy a longer shaft.
My shaft is 320 mm long
You can get a shaft from racetech which is 360 mm long
I could then use the same small UJ 80 mm on both ends. ( I'm aware I need a larger bore at one end)
This should fit.
My only concern would be the shaft being longer the knuckles on the top UJ would have to turn a tighter circle so may rub and I'm also not sure if the shaft would then clear the top wishbone!
I'd just get my UJ repaired( hopefully) but it will only become a problem again later on!

Has anyone gone from the longer 115 mm UJ to the shorter 80 mm with longer steering shaft.
Thanks Al


Here's the 115 mm original ( no longer available) unless someone knows otherwise

Edited by ClassicChimaera on Monday 13th February 16:02

Edited by ClassicChimaera on Monday 13th February 16:04

Edited by ClassicChimaera on Monday 13th February 16:16

[ClassicChimaera]

I've just had a closer look, the shaft will still be 5 mm longer than ideal making joining them all up a right royal PITA

Powers Performance can repair the original long UJ so if mines ok I'll do that. 2-3 day turn around so very good indeed.
Let's hope my casting is ok.

[ClassicChimaera]

Tell you what is interesting,,,
I've played with this car a few times now, replaced wishbones etc in the past,,
Took about 35 minutes to pull it apart, nice to still see plenty of copper slip on the bolts etc made it real easy to pull suspension bolts etc out.

Not good driving in winter,,,,,,,,,, Unless you have Rainsport 3,tyre's that is,,,,
Look at this old mess.

For those interested in a Brembo Big Brakes, you can see the bracket the Caliper mounts too and the nut and bolt that pinches the bracket to the Hub.
That bolt is threaded through the hub and the nut is more just extra pinch.

[ClassicChimaera]

My joint measured with a tape measure is nearly 120 mm!

I've considered the 105 mm length one but that leaves it 10 mm short. I'd have to grind the flats on both ends of the steering shaft to get the bolts through.
I could get someone to make a shaft slightly longer to compensate the shorter UJ but for now I think I'll just let Poweres repair mine.

[ClassicChimaera]

Thanks for the replies.
Rather than have to re engineer the lot I'm going to try repairing my 115 mm UJ and take it from there.

Just read that thread Pupp, I noticed the comments re Power steering,, i too have been worried it's the pump and recently checked my fluid condition and feared the worst.
This little joint can add some odd traits,,,
Like accelerating then when you shut off suddenly the car turning left slightly,, I thought I'd snapped the chassis,,,

A couple few days ago the joint went tight, driving along nicely then when I ask it to turn the steering went very tight, crapped myself,,, yanked it past the tight spot and stopped!

Its ironic as I'd replaced all the ball joints etc a few years ago, I'd left these steering joints alone for some bonkers reason!

Edited by ClassicChimaera on Tuesday 14th February 10:08

[ClassicChimaera]

phazed said:

Alun, when I was messing about with the Subaru steering conversion I got a different length shaft from these people.

http://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/filterSearch...

Out of interest my car runs the 120 mm long top joint, a Ford KA lower joint and a 320 mm long shaft.

Thanks Peter because if my joint doesn't work well I'll go for a longer shaft and the 105 mm top UJ and 80mm bottom one.
Very much appreciated

[ClassicChimaera]

Quick update on this one.

Good options offered up on this thread, thanks.

As Powers Performance are not far from me I opted to let them repair mine although it's not a technical job.

So here's my newly jointed 115mm top long UJ. And a new standard 80 mm for the bottom short one that connects to the rack.
Nice painting