<VV> RE: Steering boxes (& shafts)

[Kent Sullivan]

OK, so maybe "u-joint" was not the exact right wording to use to describe
the coupler that sits on the end of the '66-style steering column and
connects to the end of the shaft coming out of the stock steering box. Its
function is somewhat the same; allow for some movement side to side and/or
up and down.

In any case, when we installed the FR box in my car, we had to press out the
roll pin that holds the coupler to the steering column and remove it, so
that the FR sliding shaft could be bolted in place. That is a big roll
pin--it's 12 mm, solid steel (hardened I assume too).

--Kent
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris & Bill Strickland [mailto:lechevrier at earthlink.net] 
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2005 10:39 AM
To: kentsu at corvairkid.com; virtualvairs at corvair.org
Subject: Re: Steering boxes (& shafts)

Kent wrote:
> 
> The late '65 /'66 long shaft box has the U-joint quite high on the shaft.

What u-joint is this? Maybe I am forgetting something, but, except for the
teleys, I recall a steering box on one end and a steering wheel on the other
for those looong shafts. If you think about them enough, you drive like
every idiot on the road (including one's self) has a hardened steel spear
pointed right at your heart. Great safety device, imo. So much for LM
engineering ...

I hope someone can set me right ...

These shafts do make a great 'long extension' by cutting a short half or
three/eights inch socket extension into two pieces and brazing one end onto
each end of the shaft.

Actually, cutting the shaft between the box and the column, shortening it
appropriately, and then grinding/filing 'double D' flats onto each piece and
installing the appropriate u-joint wouldn't be a bad idea. Or folks like FR
can sell you the pieces to do this. Sounds like they have an adjustable
shaft for $150 that also probably can collapse linearly.

Bill Strickland