Steering shaft shot ... Now what?

[Walker]

I've got the dreaded groaning, cracking, popping, with lots of play symptoms in my steering wheel. From other posts, it sounds like my intermediate steering shaft bearing is shot. Right? It's not the clockspring (no air bag light). I've swapped the p. s. fluid for Valvo. Synthetic (no changes, only got worse).



What about the steering box itself? Anything to look for there?



So, I'm looking for the best aftermarket st. shaft upgrade. I've read where a few aren't happy with their Borgenson's. What are my other brand options?



How does the install look? Do I have to tear into the column from the inside, or is it all done from the engine compartment?

 

[fest3er]

Originally posted by Walker
... So, I'm looking for the best aftermarket st. shaft upgrade. I've read where a few aren't happy with their Borgenson's. What are my other brand options? ...

At 50K, I installed a Flaming River shaft (purchased from Rickson Truck Accessories, of 19. 5" wheel and tire fame).

In the intervening 93K miles, it has given me *no* troubles, and is still quite solid. Well, yeah, one end almost fell off a while ago, but that was because Marblehead here neglected to properly tighten all the nuts 50K miles ago after I had the steering gear replaced. Degreased 'em, applied nail polish, tightened, and not a problem since. Just remember to squirt some grease into the zerk once in a while.

N