Collapsible intermediate shaft?

[Afirehawk1]

Originally Posted by 65 GMC

I have a 65 GMC with a 78 GMC power steering box. I used the collapsible shaft from the 78 GMC with an aftermarket u-joint from Sweet Mfg. It seems like it will work out pretty good. It also takes out any tension that would otherwise be on the steering column bearings from spacing the steering box out with an adaptor plate. Here are some photos of what I did before I welded it all in place. The last photo is the part# of the u-joint I used.

I did something similar.
I upgraded to a new steering box and installed with a new rag joint.
I have to recheck but i think i cut and attached the new shaft.
What makes this collapsible?
Is it the u joint? I didnt do that

[The Rocknrod]

The shaft is the part that is collapsible on our truck IF you have a collapsible shaft.

[Afirehawk1]

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

The shaft is the part that is collapsible on our truck IF you have a collapsible shaft.

Mine is welded when the column was built
So i guess i should swap the whole thing

[Blue666(2)]

I'm not sure when these were required as safety equipment but my steering shaft is from the mid-1970's. In the picture, I have put a white dot on the two shearable plastic pins that go through the two parts of the lower steering shaft. On impact, the plastic pins shear off and the outer shaft (which is a hollow tube) slides over the inner solid shaft.

If your shaft is welded or has the plastic pins replaced with metal bolts, it's no longer collapsable.

[PGSigns]

Afirehawk yours is the stock shaft with the adapter on the end that comes with the power steering kits. This is a weld on process due to it not having a double D setup.
Jimmy

[Afirehawk1]

Originally Posted by PGSigns

Afirehawk yours is the stock shaft with the adapter on the end that comes with the power steering kits. This is a weld on process due to it not having a double D setup.
Jimmy

thanks for the info.
i will be upgrading.

[Afirehawk1]

Since I upgraded with A newer power steering unit, which collapsible shaft does everyone use? I think i used a 72 or 78 unit; so i need to remove the rag joint and count the splines?

[DonLeverton]

Well, here's my plan ... which I hope to get going on right away, as soon as my truck gets back home from storage.

1966 GMC 910 pickup (Canadian 1/2 ton)
Early 70's G-van tilt column (3/4"-36 spline)
Jegs #607002 U-joint coupler (3/4"-36 spline to 3/4" DD)
1979 C20 collapsible intermediate shaft
1979 C20 power steering gear

The goal is to cut that goofy OEM "bell" coupler off of the intermediate shaft, then insert the 3/4" DD directly into the Jegs coupler.

I think it's going to be long enough to do that, but I did buy a length of 3/4" DD just in case.

[PGSigns]

That may work. On any adapter I use if it is not splined it gets welded or pinned. I do not trust the set screws.
Jimmy

[Blue666(2)]

Originally Posted by PGSigns

That may work. On any adapter I use if it is not splined it gets welded or pinned. I do not trust the set screws.
Jimmy

The Borgenson joint uses full length bolts that go through the lower end of the steering column & the upper end of the lower shaft. Not sure about the Jegs or other brands.

Also be sure to re install the ground connector from the lower shaft to the steering box across the rag joint or your horn won't work.

[Afirehawk1]

I read on CPP website their collapsible shaft/ u joint is not recommended for stock columns.

So do we do?
Im confused
I have the 3/4, 36 spline gear box

[The Rocknrod]

That's because you have to modify the shaft on the column.

[Afirehawk1]

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

That's because you have to modify the shaft on the column.

any details exactly what has to be done because i have no idea.
do just I buy the u joint and install.?
do i change the shaft? if so who has them?

[The Rocknrod]

Originally Posted by Afirehawk1

any details exactly what has to be done because i have no idea.
do just I buy the u joint and install.?
do i change the shaft? if so who has them?

Pretty much what post 12 did on this thread. But by the way, if your not sure and wanting to do this yourself - Maybe you should get professional help on a something like steering and brakes. Your life depends on it.

[Afirehawk1]

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

Pretty much what post 12 did on this thread. But by the way, if your not sure and wanting to do this yourself - Maybe you should get professional help on a something like steering and brakes. Your life depends on it.

I was wanting to copy something that someone else did so i didnt have to re-event the wheel. I have this.
Thanks

[DonLeverton]

Originally Posted by Afirehawk1

I was wanting to copy something that someone else did so i didnt have to re-event the wheel. I have this.
Thanks

The G-van tilt column ( from what I’ve read) is the same as a 72 C10.
The 72 C10 used a collapsible steering shaft.
This swap has been done many times, and there are many ways to join the steering shaft to the power steering box.

I’m hoping to complete my install within the next couple of weeks, so
I’ll try to let you know if it goes according to plan.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Afirehawk1]

I used the 1977 Chevrolet c10 power steering box
The input spline count says its 26 from Masterpro

Suggestions then what intermediate shaft to use
I dont think the CPP-1DD730 will work
Thats a 3/4x30 spline unless im misunderstanding something

Need some advise on this one,


Thanks

[DonLeverton]

Originally Posted by Afirehawk1

I used the 1977 Chevrolet c10 power steering box
The input spline count says its 26 from Masterpro

Suggestions then what intermediate shaft to use
I dont think the CPP-1DD730 will work
Thats a 3/4x30 spline unless im misunderstanding something

Need some advise on this one,


Thanks

The system and parts described by me in a previous post in this thread worked out perfectly for me.

Van column (it actually has a 30 -spline output end)
Jegs U-joint (30 spline on one end, 3/4”DD on the other end)
Squarebody intermediate shaft with the top OEM coupler cut off
Rag joint
Steering box.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Afirehawk1]

so has anyone used a power steering gear box from late 70's (1977) C10?
the way i read the specs o the input shaft from MasterPro, there are 25 or 26 spline per their website. assuming that is not counting the flat spot on the shaft.

Wanting to order the CSS-1DD730 by CPP which is the 3/4-30 spline.
just want to verify this.

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by Afirehawk1

so has anyone used a power steering gear box from late 70's (1977) C10?
the way i read the specs o the input shaft from MasterPro, there are 25 or 26 spline per their website. assuming that is not counting the flat spot on the shaft.

Wanting to order the CSS-1DD730 by CPP which is the 3/4-30 spline.
just want to verify this.

Count the splines on the gear you have and order the steering joint of your choice to match the gearbox. If you're running the stock style rag joint, they all use the same intermediate shaft bolt spacing

[MT65]

Originally Posted by Afirehawk1

any details exactly what has to be done because i have no idea.
do just I buy the u joint and install.?
do i change the shaft? if so who has them?

You can take your shaft that’s in the original column, measure and cut it to the length, take the shaft to a mach shop and they can put the DD on it for you, I’ve done it many times......
You will need a bearing or bushing in the end of the column tube as well.....

[Afirehawk1]

Originally Posted by Afirehawk1

so has anyone used a power steering gear box from late 70's (1977) C10?
the way i read the specs o the input shaft from MasterPro, there are 25 or 26 spline per their website. assuming that is not counting the flat spot on the shaft.

Wanting to order the CSS-1DD730 by CPP which is the 3/4-30 spline.
just want to verify this.

i figured it out.
The steering gear box has 25 splines showing. the flat spot on the shaft accounts for about 5. thus a 30 spline rag joint will work. i had to process this for a moment.