Steering shafts upgrade

[spdbrake]

I just replaced the upper steering shaft / universal / center shaft and lower universal. I wasn't happy with the torquing action I could feel and see from the hollow upper steering tube.
While I was at it I replaced the upper and lower steering shaft bearings. PN 32-31-1-158-835
The factory one:
https://www.iconicparts.com/steering-universal.html
https://www.iconicparts.com/pub/medi..._universal.jpg

The upper shaft I used a Borgeson 3/4" - 36 spline end. 3 feet long so as to slide past the factory engine bay steering support. To give the existing steering tube a more substantial feel. PN 409036
https://www.summitracing.com/tx/part...9036/overview/

The upper universal I used a Borgeson Vibration Reducer Universal PN 034934
One end 3/4" -36 spline, the other 3/4" Double-D
https://www.jegs.com/i/Borgeson/153/034934/10002/-1

The center Double-D shaft support I fabbed a bracket to mount a Borgeson support Heim Joint PN 700000
https://www.summitracing.com/tx/part...0000/overview/

The center shaft is a 3/4" Double-D Borgeson PN 409418
https://www.summitracing.com/tx/part...9418/overview/

The lower Universal is a Woodward Steering 3/4" Double-D and 14mm-34 spline (toyota MR2) at the rack. PN UA116109
http://www.woodwardsteering.com/PDF/...d%20Shafts.pdf

[hauss]

why? I am no trying to be a wise guy . My backdraft shimmys a little but I always thought it was because of the tires being 245 nittos

[spdbrake]

I probably wasn't clear on my first statement of reasoning. "I wasn't happy with the torquing action I could feel and see from the hollow upper steering tube."

I was alluding to the Twisting Lag response I could see and feel from the Steering shaft and the the top Universal Joint Deflecting Up and to the right when turning right, and Deflecting Down and to the left when turning left.

I made the jump to "Torquing Action" to using a Beam Type (deflection) Torque Wrench in describing the Steering Lag. Sorry my analogies kinda suck sometimes.

The Borgeson Vibration Universal Joint was a more "while I'm at it" decision and a few $ more than a standard universal.

[Cashburn]

Nice work.

[wrogers55]

That is nice work. I have been putting it off for over 10 years. Never been happy with the feel of my set-up at all. Always that little bit of slop and wiggle in the joints and bearings in the column that is probably more annoying than anything else. So thanks for posting your work and especially the list of parts and numbers!! That may just get me moving on this long overdue project.

[spdbrake]

Thank you all for the positive comments.

On the bracket I fabricated. I used some 8 gauge (0.164) mild steel plate I had.

Cut to 2" width. Used a 8" length. Heated with a Oxy torch and folded into a "U" keeping the outside to outside measurement of the "U" to approx 1.6" (or it will be too tall for the Heim Bearing shaft).

Once I got the height right I cut the upper lower legs down to 2.25"

Drilled the 3/4" hole for Heim bearing support and dry fitted it while my CFO turned steering wheel. Marked the frame location.

Line Drilled 4 #21 holes thru the upper and lower legs on the drill press.
Clamped the bracket to car frame. Drilled 2 #21 holes (opposite diag) thru the Bracket into the frame. Tapped those two holes to 10-32NF. Drill the complementing Bracket holes to #12. Attached the Bracket using two Socket Cap Screws REF: https://www.mcmaster.com/92562a416
Repeated the above steps for the remaining two attach holes.

[Ozzie Goat]

Really nice work
I'd bet the improvement over the OEM components is amazing.

[bobcowan]

Originally Posted by spdbrake

Thank you all for the positive comments.

Reviving an older thread. From the first day I owned this car, I noticed the same thing about the steering. Hard to be precise with all that movement going on. One of my winter plans is to make this same change. I'm also considering power steering.

With the pictures, I can easily see how it goes in the engine bay. Thanx for those pictures and part numbers.

But I'm not quite understanding what you did with the upper shaft.

"3 feet long so as to slide past the factory engine bay steering support. To give the existing steering tube a more substantial feel".

I envision this shaft replacing everything up to the steering wheel mounting boss? Does this match the factory mounting boss? Or did you have to buy another one?

If this replaces the factory part, then it might be my opportunity to install a quick release and new steering wheel.

[spdbrake]

Sorry for the confusion Bob.
The outer 1 3/4" support shaft and the 3/4" inner shaft were not cut. The inner shaft was removed only to install new BMW nylon shaft bearings and to line drill the new splined shaft to the existing shaft cross-bolt holes.
The 3 ft splined rod shaft I actually cut down to approx 20" simply because it would not slide fully up the hollow 3/4" inner shaft. It started binding and I didn't want to "Malletize" it into place. I really only needed it to be around 20" or so to extend past the lower (engine compartment) bearing support.

[FredG]

I just completed this upgrade following speedbrakes design but if I had to do it again I would have purchased a better after market steering column. Because mine was cut by the previous owner when he installed the electric steering that I removed and I needed a new one anyway, I thought the easiest would be to just get one from Iconic. I think the plastic bearings in the column are not the best and would imagine the better after market columns have better ones. As previously stated, the improvement is impressive. Tight and precise.

[bobcowan]

Originally Posted by spdbrake

Sorry for the confusion Bob.
The outer 1 3/4" support shaft and the 3/4" inner shaft were not cut. The inner shaft was removed only to install new BMW nylon shaft bearings and to line drill the new splined shaft to the existing shaft cross-bolt holes.
The 3 ft splined rod shaft I actually cut down to approx 20" simply because it would not slide fully up the hollow 3/4" inner shaft. It started binding and I didn't want to "Malletize" it into place. I really only needed it to be around 20" or so to extend past the lower (engine compartment) bearing support.

Thanx! Now I see how it goes together. That was very helpful.

[coach36]

I just wanted to do this finally but i can't find the last part:
The lower Universal is a Woodward Steering 3/4" Double-D and 14mm-34 spline (toyota MR2) at the rack. PN UA116109
http://www.woodwardsteering.com/PDF/...d%20Shafts.pdf

Also, are there bearings in the upper shaft? If yes- what I need?

[spdbrake]

You need to call Woodward to order the universal.

The steering shaft bearings are a BMW part.
PN 32-31-1-158-835 and probably not worn out.

[coach36]

Originally Posted by spdbrake

You need to call Woodward to order the universal.

The steering shaft bearings are a BMW part.
PN 32-31-1-158-835 and probably not worn out.

Cool, thx. How many bearings am I gonna need?

[coach36]

Originally Posted by coach36

Cool, thx. How many bearings am I gonna need?

Well I guess 2 :-)
I've ordered a 3rd one, modify it and try to center it in the tube/shaft.

[spdbrake]

The shaft bearings on your car are brand new no need to change them