E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

Technical Shop => Wheels, Tires, Brakes, Suspension & Steering => Topic started by: Sly on February 07, 2017, 02:09:38 AM

Title: Need some help : steering coupler/u-joint question (Borgeson or stock ?)
Post by: Sly on February 07, 2017, 02:09:38 AM
Hello E-body friends ! I'm needing some help here.

I would like to swap the original steering coupler (u-joint) in my 71 Challenger for a Borgeson one. Stock one has some looseness and I think a steel Borgeson u-joint may help here, and may last longer in time even if the column will require some adjustment installing this.

I found that Borgeson u-joint :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/291813800491
Part reference 014062

It looks like the right one for my column : I measured my steering column before and after the stock coupler mounted on it right now (see attached pics), and found :
  - input shaft : 2,05 cm (13/16 inch)
  - output shaft just before power steering box : 1,6 cm (5/8 inch)

Do you think that 014062 reference would fit ? It is the 36 splines part, I don't know how many splines my shaft has because it is still in the car right now, but I can't find any other 13/16 and 5/8 u-joint reference so I guess that must be the good one.

Do you think the part 014062 will fit ? Should I buy a rebuild kit for my stock coupler instead ?

Thanks for helping me out  :wrenching:

Title: Re: Need some help : steering coupler/u-joint question (Borgeson or stock ?)
Post by: Brads70 on February 07, 2017, 02:52:03 AM
I would recommend re building the stock set up. Its cheap enough to do. The stock design is made so it can float in and out, the u-joint design is not. Not sure what that means for the seals, etc.. in the box long term?
I suspect that is why Peter came up with this design when converting to the Borgeson box.
http://www.bergmanautocraft.com/proddetail.php?prod=5-0010
Title: Re: Need some help : steering coupler/u-joint question (Borgeson or stock ?)
Post by: Cuda Cody on February 07, 2017, 08:22:51 AM
 :iagree:  The stock set up has some advantages of being able to move and not bind up.  If your column is put in a bind the plastic pins inside it could break.

Also, the stock  coupler is cheap and easy to rebuild.  It works really well.    :alan2cents:

Let me know if you need any help with re-building the stock coupler?
Title: Re: Need some help : steering coupler/u-joint question (Borgeson or stock ?)
Post by: Sly on February 07, 2017, 08:29:12 AM
Hey, thanks for your replies, I'm thinking more about rebuilding the stock coupler now, cheaper operation and seems to work great when done.
Cody, thank you for asking me this :) I'll be happy to get some tips to help when I get it :)

Any other input is welcome  :twothumbsup:
Title: Re: Need some help : steering coupler/u-joint question (Borgeson or stock ?)
Post by: Cuda Cody on February 07, 2017, 08:43:20 AM
@Sly (http://forum.e-bodies.org/index.php?action=profile;u=100)  it might be worth a few minutes to watch from the 32:26 minute mark....



Quote from: Sly on February 07, 2017, 08:29:12 AM
Hey, thanks for your replies, I'm thinking more about rebuilding the stock coupler now, cheaper operation and seems to work great when done.
Cody, thank you for asking me this :) I'll be happy to get some tips to help when I get it :)

Any other input is welcome  :twothumbsup:
Title: Re: Need some help : steering coupler/u-joint question (Borgeson or stock ?)
Post by: headejm on February 07, 2017, 08:58:50 AM
@Cuda Cody (http://forum.e-bodies.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1) Great job on the video! Question about checking the old coupler. I assume that the shoes are the only wear item? How do you check them for reusability? My car has 42k miles and I would think the shoes shouldn't be worn out. My plan is to take it apart, clean it, and repack.
Title: Re: Need some help : steering coupler/u-joint question (Borgeson or stock ?)
Post by: Cuda Cody on February 07, 2017, 09:23:15 AM
The shoes are spring loaded so they will keep pressure as it wears down a bit.  But the spring might wear out or get weak?  The kits are pretty affordable so if you're doing it anyway, might has well make it all new.   :alan2cents:

Contact
@MoparDave (http://forum.e-bodies.org/index.php?action=profile;u=10)  if you need a kit.  He takes good care of us.

The orange seal:
http://www.rosevillemoparts.com/product_info.php/p/steering-coupler-rebuild-kit/products_id/778 (http://www.rosevillemoparts.com/product_info.php/p/steering-coupler-rebuild-kit/products_id/778)

Black Seal:
http://www.rosevillemoparts.com/product_info.php/p/steering-coupler-rebuild-kit/products_id/8502 (http://www.rosevillemoparts.com/product_info.php/p/steering-coupler-rebuild-kit/products_id/8502)


Quote from: headejm on February 07, 2017, 08:58:50 AM
@Cuda Cody (http://forum.e-bodies.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1) Great job on the video! Question about checking the old coupler. I assume that the shoes are the only wear item? How do you check them for reusability? My car has 42k miles and I would think the shoes shouldn't be worn out. My plan is to take it apart, clean it, and repack.