Hi there.
Recently, after front suspension lower arms bushings changing and ball joints rebuilding found that my intermediate steering shaft is sloping. Actually, I think that the issue is in rag joint, caused by a rubber part that is in very bad condition.
So, please help me with advice. What is the best?
- Find a rag joint repair kit, and leave the shaft as is (but I can't find any links where to buy a new one);
- Change the all shaft (have found two used on ebay and not completely sure if 93-97 are interchangeable with 98-02 shafts, also 2-3 found on ebay, also noticed that 98-02 shaft doesn't have a rag joint at all and also noticed that the shaft is discontinued by GM);
- Buy a rag joint eliminator kit, for example by Unbalanced Engineering (but how about damping functions as there is no any rubber parts, don't know how it will work on poor quality roads);
- Your advice.

Any advice, links, whereabouts or how to's I will really appreciate. Thank you.

 

i cant find a repair kit for 4th gen. have you looked at any for the 91 camaro to see if it can be made to fit. did find shaft but its 300 bucks. woh. https://www.gmpartsonline.net/parts/...ERING%20COLUMN

 

I can't find too. No I haven't look for the '91 Camaros, cause all of the f-bodys are very rare cars in my city and even in my country. Maybe somone from the thirdgen society knows exact sizes of that rubber part used in coupling shaft. I'll try to search some info.
But another problem is that in my coupling shaft u-joints is already in bad condition too, so I'm thinking to change whole part. But 300 bucks is too much even for the rare discontinued part.

 

last option would be look for used and hope for a good part.

 

Why so?
I think, that the last option will be something like rag joint eliminator kit, with a price of 37 bucks or even you can order to build it by some turner, if yiou give him exact sizes. But if u-joints will slop then you can find another shaft in better condition at junkyard. I don't know what else we can do.

 

right, you can fabricate the rag, i cant find replacement u joints so used is only option right now.

 

Some guy from local american car forum said that those rubber rags fits from Ford Sierra and Ford Scorpio, so I will try to check their sizes.
But u-joints is a problem - only used shafts in good condition will solve it, you're right.

 

The 98-2002 u-joint upgrade is very common. If I remember right there is a process for rotating one of the ends 90 degs so it will work. I used to have a link but I can not find it. Anyone else have it?

Replacing the "rag" part of the join with a pc of aluminum is also common. You can buy a kit online or just make a aluminum slug with 4 holes in it.

Unbalanced Engineering 1983-2002 F-Body Products

I need to do the same thing with my 93, I think I am just going to make the aluminum slug and buy some Cap screw grade bolts.