2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Lower steering joint welding?

[bkroupa]

I have a lot of steering play that I've traced to the lower joint on the steering shaft. Has anyone just welded the inner & outer portions of the joint & eliminated the cush hub? I'm either going to buy a u-joint (borgenon or other) & weld it in or weld up thi one. It's my only transportation so I hate to take it apart without knowing I have what I need to repair it.

BTW I did do a search & most of what I found was 4wd stuff or people who didn't seem to mind spending $300 or so on a new shaft.

 

[Al Dahl]

Weld them

Welded mine 55. 000 miles ago they've bin fine ever since. Use wire feed

 

[gwagner]

mine has alot of play also this sounds like it might help. do you have any pic you could post?

 

[bkroupa]

Thanks, what I can see with it assembled made me wonder why I had not seen a post about someone doing it before. The u joint is in good shape, the cush hub is floppy so welding the inner & outer should fix my problem.

 

[bkroupa]

FYI I just stumbled across this:



http://ramchargercentral.com/boards/index.php?board=&action=howtoshow;id=30