Borgeson quality concerns

[sparks57]

I am looking, very seriously, into getting a borgeson steering shaft this winter because my current shaft is in very bad shape, and I would rather not go through the pain of replacing OEM style joints constantly.



I was made aware of several complaints about the borgesons lately.



Has borgeson changed the design at all within the last few years?



I was also told that some cotter-pin hole was too large on the shaft, requiring the input shaft hole to be drilled out. Has that been fixed?



Has anyone had any bad experiences with the borgeson?

 

[Paychk]

Here is Borgeson's competition:



http://www.flaming-river.com/truckshaft.htm

 

[sparks57]

I have heard some info on Flaming River, one complaint that I have heard several times is the companie's sluggish processing and shipping.



I don't know anything about the Flaming River shafts... does anyone out there have one?

 

[Greenleaf]

Cotter pin hole? Drilling?



In all fairness, how long ago was it the person you spoke with installed a Borgeson, and was it on a first gen Dodge? Check your sources. 'nuff said.



Greenleaf

 

[sparks57]

8 years ago. Yes.



That is why I was curiouse to know if the design has changed.

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

Borgeson uses a set screw to hold the lower U joint connection to the steering box. You might have to file or grind metal to allow this set screw to do it's job. I for one couldn't be happier with their set-up.



Just be sure you follow their instructions especially in regards to the clock spring and you will be OK

 

[sparks57]

I just want to make sure it's a good product before I dump $189 on one.



I just got worried when I was told that some people were starting to complain about them.

 

[CDegner]

It's a good product and it only takes about an hour to put it on. That and the new springs I have on my truck are the single best "ride" related improvements I have made on thetruck!



It is pricey but I think ti was worth it. As for quality, Mine was very well made. Your source from 8 years ago ... well if a company was making garbage for 8 years, they wouldn't still be around. And there is not cotter pin hole on the shaft. Don't know what your source was talking about there.



Carl

 

[JLEONARD]

CB,

Borgeson is about 3/4 mile from my house! I know the owner.

We are sort of , but not really , competitors... . I work for Timken/Torrington... . we make OEM steering shafts for the 94 thru current truck platform.

His product is excellent, and it fills the after market void very well... he was the first and probably still the best for replacements for the first gen trucks.

We also sell some product to Flaming River... they make excellent tilt columns (our inner assemblies) , but I don't know much about their steering shafts.

All I can say is that I would recommend a Borgeson shaft... . I would not be concerned that thier quality has degraded... .

Jay Leonard

 

[banzaitoyota]

I installed one 2 months ago!!!

It is GREAT. There is NO cotter pin. The construction is first rate.

 

[rdodd]

I ordered the borgeson a few years ago and when i slid it on the steering shaft spline i noticed a lot slop and it would wiggle back and forth. I called borgeson and they said all there shafts are the same size and to send it back so i just put the original back on.

 

[1stgen4evr]

Borgson

As an interim measure you might just replace the wear parts in the "wiggle" box on the original shaft. I did and it drives fine. Can't say how long it will be satisfactory. 50 to 75k miles maybe? It cost less than ten bucks and I did the work in about an hour. I will probably use the Borgson when I go through the crew cab front end. 180 bucks seems like a lot to pay for a 20 dollar ujoint. But HEY, profit ain't a four letter word. In the end you are probably going in the right direction.



I am appalled at the number of owners who have spent big bucks chasing a driving problem when the culprit was that little box. One guy said he got rid of his truck because "the front end was just worn out".



In the few months that I have been using TDR, I have already saved myself much grief and big bucks. Get the word to other owners. Copy the membership drive page and put it in the hands of other owners at fuel stops etc. I have yet to encounter another TDR member.



1stgen4evr

James

 

[skobylenski]

Mine went in 19 months ago, and after driving for 6 months with an OEM shaft that was dying, the Borgeson was amazing. Probably the best money I've spent on my truck thus far.



Scott

 

[AlK]

My 92 CTD now has 112,500 km on the odometer and the borgerson steering coupler was installed in April 1998 at 57,000 km. Steering is still better than when the truck was new.

---

Al

 

[Dfeland]

Lets not forget the product the Holbrook specialties sells. Its a spicer PTO joint that has a splined end and then a 3/4" hole that you cut the old shaft and slide it into this hole and then weld them together. The splined end goes on your steering box and has a bolt that holds it on. The beauty of this set up is in 10 years when it wears out I can go to any driveline shop and pick up a U-joint which is also greasable. All for about $80. Unless you have access to a spicer catalogue then I an sure that you can find it cheaper. I can send a pic if anyone wants one. Danny

 

[MMiller]

I put my borgeson in my truck in 1996. This was when I tore up my first steering box out fourwheelin, and cracked the plate. I have since then lifted the truck, added larger, more agressive tires, and have run a locker in the front for about a year. Over 100,000 miles later and four steering boxes, and two plates, it is still perfect. Best money I ever spent bombing my truck.



The spring pin is a 4wd thing,(maybe not on 2wds?) and I had no problems installing mine. Mine does not have any set screws.



Michael

 

[SClements]

Ive been running the borgeson shaft for almost a year now. Great product, the truck steers and drives great and has remained tight, unlike the factory joint i rebuilt several times. You can't go wrong with one.

 

[boatpuller]

The spring pin is not a 4X4 thing,

They changed the way they attatched a few years back, the early Borgesons attatched the same way the factory joints did with a roll pin. The newer shafts use a couple of set screws. I think the roll pin was a cleaner install but the setscrews allow you to line up your steering wheel straight if you've lifted the truck at all.

They are a good product, it would be nice if they came painted, they are bare metal, I've painted them before installing.



Hope this helps,

Caleb