Sourcing and replacing steering universal joints

[zed4]

Hi,

I sorted out my steering issue, it was tight universal joints on the column. I've cleaned and oiled them and they're no longer stiff, but now there's lots of play in the wheel, assuming its in the joint(s).

First question is, how do I remove them? I loosened all the pinch bolts, but there wasn't enough movement to be able to remove the column from in between the two UJs. Second question, where can I buy new ones?

Thanks

Dan

[wuckfitracing]

I managed to get mine off by tapping gently the lower one that fits onto the steering rack all the way down its shaft, that left the upper one that fits onto the steering column free, but it is tight.The other option is to unbolt the steering rack, if its a manual with no power steering its only held in by 4 bolts and they are easy to get to.
Colin
for replacements, Clevor Trevor lists them I think.

[KateV8]

I bought mine from TVR Power, the parts guy there sounds like he knows his stuff and it's easy to get the wrong ones which either won't fit at all or will bind on the knuckles.

[phazed]

Yep, it's a matter of shuffling the joints and the shaft fully up and down.

Remove the pinch bolts, lock a pair of Mole grips on the shaft and then you can tap it fully down to create enough movement to remove a joint.

When reassembling, ensure all clean and coat splines with copperslip, it makes the job real easy.

[zed4]

phazed said:

Yep, it's a matter of shuffling the joints and the shaft fully up and down.

Remove the pinch bolts, lock a pair of Mole grips on the shaft and then you can tap it fully down to create enough movement to remove a joint.

When reassembling, ensure all clean and coat splines with copperslip, it makes the job real easy.

This is exactly what I did. I used molegrips and tapped them with a hammer and moved the central shaft up and down the splined UJs, but unfortunately there’s not enough clearance to actually remove the shaft.

[Matt99man]

zed4 said:

This is exactly what I did. I used molegrips and tapped them with a hammer and moved the central shaft up and down the splined UJs, but unfortunately there’s not enough clearance to actually remove the shaft.

What was the best way of cleaning and freeing them up?

[zed4]

Matt99man said:

zed4 said:

This is exactly what I did. I used molegrips and tapped them with a hammer and moved the central shaft up and down the splined UJs, but unfortunately there’s not enough clearance to actually remove the shaft.

What was the best way of cleaning and freeing them up?

I used a secret concoction of lots of cleaning products I found in the garage!!

In no particular order, white spirit, carb cleaner and lots and lots of RIB cleaner (I work for a boat dealer and we have this very strong inflatable boat cleaner and degreaser which dissolves grease).

[zed4]

What a numpty! Turns out I hadn't tightened the pinch bolt up tight enough! Now torqued up properly and there's no free play. Happy days.

[Crafty_]

I happened to spot this post, does anyone know exact size & splines on the UJs ?

You are very likely to find a high quality replacement here: http://www.borgeson.com/xcart/catalog/Universal_Jo...
Borgeson have been making UJs for, well a very long time. Definitely a high quality part.

If you want to buy you can do so direct or go via Summit Racing, Jegs, Ygois - pretty much any hot rod parts supplier.
A company called flaming river also make UJs.