Steering Shaft Replacement

[wnielsen]

I am in the process of replacing a steering shaft on my 1991. 5 automatic transmission Turbo Diesel truck. My research indicates there are two kinds of shafts, Borgeson 940 and 943.



In order to take the rack joint connector off the shaft, there is a spring wrapped around the top shaft that puts tension on the connector I want to remove. How do I keep the tension off the spring to take the connector off? Has anyone done this type of replacement with the spring?

 

[cerberusiam]

Bump for some help here.



OP, if you don't get any solid answers give the guys at Genos Garage a call and am sure they can help you out.

 

[monkeyman]

Not sure on that year , but on my 2002, all I did was unbolt bottom, and top, collapse and take out. I put on a stainless one from PSC
Rick

 

[JKreiss]

It's like Rick said, unbolt from the steering box, and then unbolt at the rag joint. Then you can push upward towards the cab and slip it off the steering shaft then off the the truck. The new shaft will telescope making it very easy to re-install. This sounds very simple, and in theory it is. However, my steering shaft was fused onto steering box and i had a HECK of a time getting it off. Ended up having to get a new box while i was at it because i boogered up the splines.

 

[JLEONARD]

BEFORE you start to drive the roll pin out of the connection on the steering gear box shaft, make sure you brace it from behind to absorb the impact of your hammer blows. Otherwise you will likely ruin the seal on the gearbox.

 

[James1]

A couple of years ago a technician at Borgeson (Gil Evans, -- email address removed --) advised me that if the truck is not lifted, one is better off going with the single U-joint shaft (part #940) and thereby maintaining the vibration dampening characteristics of the rag joint. Going with the rag joint shaft would also obviate any of your issues regarding the spring.

BEFORE you start to drive the roll pin out of the connection on the steering gear box shaft, make sure you brace it from behind to absorb the impact of your hammer blows. Otherwise you will likely ruin the seal on the gearbox.

This is sound advice. I trimmed short length of 2x6 at a slight angle so that I could wedge it between the steering shaft and the truck frame. And I recommend cleaning the roll pin thoroughly so you can see what you are doing. I was whaling away with my hammer and drift and then realized I was hitting a small shoulder on the steering coupler rather than the actual roll pin. #@$%!



One other note -- don't expect miracles. I had read all these wonderful things about the Borgeson and I expected my truck to begin handling like a Porsche. The emperor hath no clothes; it still steers just like a Gamagoat. If I had it to do over I might simply purchase the $20 kit and rebuild the OEM steering coupler.



Good luck.

 

[RSchwarzli]

Agreed to all above. I did not brace and then had to replace the seal (actually did the whole box).

Yes remove roll pin.

Yes push up when removing. The spring is actually longer than what you see.

I also noticed not too much difference when the shaft went in. A bit tighter but I guess as mine was not at point of failure and was replaced under preventative maintenance, it was not a huge improvement.