Steering shaft issue (pic enclosed)

[87lc2]

In searching for the play in my steering, I found this part of the steering shaft to be the culprit. There is no bolt holding it together or any adjustment. It looks like it just slides together. Is there any way to fix the play here, or will I need a new shaft? The rag joint is fine so its not that. I can clearly see the upper tube moving around in the lower tube before the bottom of the shaft begins to turn while turning the wheel and looking under the dash. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I have disconnected my shaft to install rack bushings and there is a telescoping feature to the shaft that allows it to slide in/out. However I do not recall any play. There is a brass clamp that is compressed with a bolt. Is the bolt missing???

 

[87lc2]

There is no bolt or brass clamp there, but I dont believe there should be. Here is another picture of a 94-98 shaft and there is nothing there, just metal into metal. What would cause it to be loose? This auction shows the shaft and its just metal into metal... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1994...ies?hash=item335519c207&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

 

[stangman11]

I have never had that out before but looking at it, it seems like your going to need to get an entire new shaft if you can clearly see the one shaft rotating inside the other I would just replace it to make sure its fixed right. Let me know what you end up doing.

 

[87lc2]

Im going to look at it a bit more when I get a chance and if theres deifnitely no adjustment I will swap it out for a new one. Ill let you know what happens.

 

[trinity_gt]

The slip-joint acts as a safety in the event of a severe front end collision. Instead of the steering wheel ending up embedded in your spine as the steering rack is pushed aft, the outer shaft slides over the inner shaft, taking up precious inches of crumple while the steering wheel remains relatively un-moved.

The slack definitely sounds abnormal through. Probably best just to replace the thing.

 

[87lc2]

I figured that was where the column would collapse in the event of a collision, but yea, I should probably replace it because its definitely should not be like that. At least I know now that there is no danger of the thing coming apart on my so I can at least drive the car until I get a new one. Theres really nowhere for it to go...

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

What exactly are you doing? The lower shaft is a fox body, the upper is a 94-04 with a different lower end on it.

 

[87lc2]

Those are just pics I found to illustrate my point. In the top one there is a red circle where the upper shaft meets the lower. That is where I have play. We have an 02 GT here at work and I gave it a look and sure enough its tight. I guess Ill have to replace the whole thing.

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

The shaft is the same 94-04. Just put a new one on and be done. They do get play there. They collapse there in an accident too.