I am doing the cavalier rack and am working on the steering column mods. I was wondering what others have done to theirs to secure the shaft in the column. Since the Maverick uses a collapsable column, the shaft is 2 pieces and the section which comes out of the firewall, will slide into the upper shaft in case of a collision. In the factory set up, the shaft bolts to the steering box so it is locked in place. But if you cut off the end of the shaft and weld in a section of DD shaft to adapt to the universal joints, there is nothing stopping the shaft from sliding out except friction. With the sharper angles the shaft makes to attach to the rack, I wonder if its a possibility of the shaft could shift out. The easiest solution would be to weld the 2 shafts together which would negate the collapsable column.
I know on my RRS system they use a bushing in the end of the column to stabilize the shaft. It is held in by a grub screw from the inside of the bushing.
Here is what the rod and custom setup looks like. That bearing fits snugly inside the steering shaft tube, and the rod is welded to the steering shaft. Not sure if that bushing goes inside or outside. Part number is RC-154 for $48 from Rod and Custom Motorsports, and includes all three pieces. Rod, bearing, and bushing doohicky.
Lol! That looks just like mine, and I'm using a bearing from a furnace with a locking collar. I don't think the upper shaft will ever come loose.
The tube is a 2 1/8" and the shaft is 1". What are the dimensions of the bearing you are using? I was looking on a websight but could not find a bearing with those specs. I found one that has a 1 1/2" OD. I could get that one and get some 2 1/8" aluminum round stock and make a bearing retainer on my lath. Then put one of these locking collars on the top side of the shaft behind the bearing to keep it in place.
Its not the upper shaft you have to worry about. It is locked into the column with C clips and a bearing. The lower shaft is only held in with friction.
Scooper you need to cut the rag joint end off your existing lower shaft and the DD shaft will slide into the remaining lower shaft. You'll have to cut off enough to get the bearing inside the end of the steering column. I'd guess the DD shaft would then have to be welded to the lower shaft, but there still has to be a way to retain everything in place. Any more parts in the kit?
FWIW... My modification shaft is only .75" around from round edge to round edge. My bearing inner diameter is .75". Bearing is has CSA204-12 then ABT then HKA04 and CHINA on it. Might not be what you want, but figured I would throw that out there anyway.
The bearing I'm using is a 3/4 rcr, it'll lock to the 3/4 DD shaft, then I have a retainer designed, that looks like the one from Rod & Custom.
I cut the rag joist off the end of the column, I'm going to weld it into the steering shaft, then I'm going to compress the shift tube up into the column, so it's out of the way, and I removed the locking tab from the top of the column. Other kits I've seen, have a hole in the DD shaft, and you bolt it to the steering shaft.
But that shaft is only held onto the upper shaft by friction. It still needs to secured to the column. Is your bearing a 2 1/8" OD? You could weld the lower shaft to the upper shaft and lock the bearing in place with a locking collar on the inside and the universal joint on the outside. You wont have a collapsable column anymore but thats not an issue with me. Thats probably how I will do it. Hey Scooper, that must be how yours is supposed to work.
The retainer will hold the bearing in place, and the bearing will lock to the 3/4 DD shaft. I'll take a picture after dinner.
Mine is not "just a bearing". It has lips and ridges, etc. Minor OD (where my fingers are) is 2.132", and Major OD off the lip is 2.215" The retainer doohicky slips down over that smaller piece coming out of the right side. Without having taken apart the steering column, I am assuming that the lip will keep the bearing from going completely inside the tube. At this point, steering column is still in the car, and I am not yet sure exactly how it will all go together. Dave's picture, above, helps me a lot! I am waiting for the correct oil pan so I can put a header on, and see exactly how to route the shafts, to make sure I don't have any obstructions.
