Need some help : steering coupler/u-joint question (Borgeson or stock ?)

[Sly]

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 

[Brads70]

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

[Cuda Cody]

   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.   

Let me know if you need any help with re-building the stock coupler?

[Sly]

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 

[Cuda Cody]

@Sly  it might be worth a few minutes to watch from the 32:26 minute mark....

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 

[headejm]

@Cuda Cody 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.

[Cuda Cody]

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.   

Contact @MoparDave  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

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

@Cuda Cody 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.