Steering Universal

[blueone]

Didn't drive the car for 4 weeks (Doctors orders) and how does it repay me for being kept in a nice warm garage though the frosts?

Upper Steering column universal has seized. So does anyone know what the joint came from on 89 350i with the triangular steering column (ford Scorpio/ Granada).

[Barkychoc]

Does this look anything like it?
Was posted on the S forum, not sure if wedges are the same arrangement.

Link

Chris

[adam quantrill]

Try taking it off and putting it in a jam jar full of oil for a week or so - should unsieze it.

[GV]

RT Racing can fix it or replace if necessary according to their marketing blurb...

[cirks]

If the soaking option doesn't work, Richard Thorpe (RT Racing as above) remade mine which was one of the few he didn't have in stock. Just post it up to him or send him detailed photos if you want a replacement

[leorest]

DG supplied and fitted mine as part of the deal with buying the car (8+ years ago) I have always had trouble with it working loose and giving play on the steering. Looking a bit deeper into the problem I discovered the slit for the pinch bolt was too small. With the use of a broken hacksaw blade, twenty minutes of my time, and a couple of expletives all is sorted. So when you replace it check it pinches up properly and double check it every time you find your head in the drivers side wheel arch

[adam quantrill]

It helps to slap some grease on them regularly. If you have the steering undone you can slip a couple of old bits of bicycle inner tube on, pack it with grease and tie-wrap it on over each UJ, apparently they'll last indefinitely.

[Wedg1e]

If you want to get REALLY hands-on and shun the 'specialist' suppliers, you can dismantle the whole joint and replace just the needle bearings and cruciform. Last time I did one it was about £7.50 for the bits. However if you think you'll have trouble with terms like 'staking' then best play safe and buy one...

[blueone]

No problem with staking the new joint but where do you get the new roller / joint from.

[Wedg1e]

blueone said:

No problem with staking the new joint but where do you get the new roller / joint from.

I use a local bearings and (industrial) transmission parts suppliers. You need the cap diameter and the distance across the outer faces of the caps.
If you get stuck try Stockton Bearings and Transmissions in, er Stockton (-on-Tees...)

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

I'm going to try an fit a corsa PAS column to my FH Tasmin, should be interesting if it works.