Lower steering shaft replacement - Part#?

[Ozymandias]

I was up to replace my lower steering shaft, for that I bought #55351456AF

But - it won't fit, see the attached pictures, it doesn't line up like it should.

To me it looks like it was wrong assembled from the factory, or am I wrong with that part?

 

[brucejohnson]

I was up to replace my lower steering shaft, for that I bought #55351456AF

But - it won't fit, see the attached pictures, it doesn't line up like it should.

To me it looks like it was wrong assembled from the factory, or am I wrong with that part?

View attachment 127024 View attachment 127025

Ozy,
I think it should work OK. The knurled/splined receptacle at the universal joint should allow proper alignment with the steering components. The u-joint may be at a different angle than the original, but it will still do its job no mater the relative angle/position from the upper attachment.

But then there is the steering box end yoke, original looks wide gap for compression and new looks thin. Not much compression room on the new one. Maybe precision machined?

 

[Ozymandias]

Ozy,
I think it should work OK. The knurled/splined receptacle at the universal joint should allow proper alignment with the steering components. The u-joint may be at a different angle than the original, but it will still do its job no mater the relative angle/position from the upper attachment.

But then there is the steering box end yoke, original looks wide gap for compression and new looks thin. Not much compression room on the new one. Maybe precision machined?

Thank you, the U-Joint end is matched to the splines too, it has a flat spot it can only go on in one position.

If I fit it, the steering wheel is of centered to the left by 1/6 of a turn.

After more research during the evening I found that Ram, for whatever reasons, changed the design of that shaft and I have to replace the upper intermediate shaft too.


I also checked out Borgesons but the reviews are bad about their product.

 

[brucejohnson]

Thank you, the U-Joint end is matched to the splines too, it has a flat spot it can only go on in one position.

If I fit it, the steering wheel is of centered to the left by 1/6 of a turn.

After more research during the evening I found that Ram, for whatever reasons, changed the design of that shaft and I have to replace the upper intermediate shaft too.


I also checked out Borgesons but the reviews are bad about their product.

Thanks for the update. I was just getting ready to mention checking the "key" on the U-joint side to see if was specifically keyed. Then it would be a problem if it was. The shaft's part number matched up. IIRC the upper shaft is a minor challenge, still easy to do; just more time and wrench turning and minimal selective vocabulary usage.
Auto industry's "let's change the design so we can sell more parts" goes w-a-y back. My '65 Mustang 289 HiPo had a need for the left and right side tail pipes...Ford said no can do...need entire exhaust because of design change. Local shop was eager to oblige the manufacture of only the pipes needed. Pretty darn close match, too.

 

[brucejohnson]

This thread rattled a flickering memory cell. So I did a search...and...Here's a 2018 thread giving a hint to the steering shaft change.
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/lower-steering-shaft-replacement.264867/

 

[Ozymandias]

Just stumbled over this Thread...

https://www.cumminsforum.com/threads/borgeson-steering-shaft-problem.2330465/

It proves me that the Borgesons 951 is an inferior design. Not worth a dime.

 

[Ozymandias]

This thread rattled a flickering memory cell. So I did a search...and...Here's a 2018 thread giving a hint to the steering shaft change.
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/lower-steering-shaft-replacement.264867/

He doesn't mention if his steering wheel is of centered now. Aside from that "minor" issue the shaft would fit nice.

I ordered now the whole new unit from Rockauto, lower & middle intermediate shaft. If it works out I provide the part numbers here.

 

[cerberusiam]

Probably the updated design for the cross over steering trucks to save money. Interesting to see if the upper shaft will correct it, if not grind the dead spline out of the steering wheel and center it that way, if it has one.

 

[Ozymandias]

Probably the updated design for the cross over steering trucks to save money. Interesting to see if the upper shaft will correct it, if not grind the dead spline out of the steering wheel and center it that way, if it has one.

I'll give feedback on that case.
It's helpful for anyone.

 

[Ozymandias]

To close this topic, it needs the upper shaft.
Only together with it the steering wheel aligns with the steering gear.
Part# for the matching upper intermediate shaft is
55351302AL

Bought it from Rockauto, best price there, shy above 200 bucks.