Steering shaft ... say it ain't so...

[diablostang]

Is there any way to remove the steering shaft in the engine bay?

Long story short, I kinda cross-threaded the threads with the bolt a couple weeks ago, so I went to fix it with a tap today.. I fixed the bolt first, and went to use the same size with the tap. I threaded it in, then went to unscrew it, and my tap snapped off in the shaft.

So, the only way I can see to fix it is drill it out, and I don't see me fitting a drill in the bay without taking the engine out


Help

EDit: And it was a Craftsman set too... I have really NOT been impressed with craftsman stuff lately. My toolbox (8 months old) has 2 drawers that are broken, I've snapped swivel sockets and deep-sockets, broken taps just using them normally.. My torque wrench broke inside the head, so it doesn't ratchet anymore... And the ONLY thing that has warranty is the metal handtools. rawr.

 

[True 5.0]

You won't be able to drill out the broken tap with a regular drill bit. You'll need solid carbide for that and it won't be easy. I think you'll be best off cutting the shaft below the clamp and then cutting the remaining clamp off with a Dremel tool. Use a bone yard replacement.

 

[diablostang]

Which clamps are you talking about on the steering shaft? I only know of one "clamp" and that's the part the bolt goes through..

Thanks for the reply.

 

[True 5.0]

There is only one clamp. I just made a poorly worded sentence. As you know, space is tight and you will need compact tools like the Dremel.

 

[diablostang]

okay... And when I cut the shaft off, how do I replace it? I've unclamped the shaft before (to put my headers on) but I haven't ever replaced the shaft. It doesn't seem to slide off..

Thanks for the help!

 

[True 5.0]

It'll take a bit of effort. You might not even need to go through the effort of cutting although it will make it easier. The shaft just telescopes together. Once it is collapsed down, and bothe ends are disconnected, it should just come right out. Reverse the process to put in the new one.
Another option is to just wire the shafts together. The clamp is just to keep them from sliding apart. Use cheap safety wire.

 

[diablostang]

So the other end of the shaft is under the dash? That's pretty much what I was asking.. I've never messed with one, so I didn't pay attention to where the ends were.

Pardon my newbness and thanks again.

 

[Chythar]

BlueOvalIndustries has an 03 Cobra steering shaft on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-0...016QQitemZ260035831574QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

If you need one sooner, you'll have to head off to a junkyard.

 

[diablostang]

BlueOvalIndustries has an 03 Cobra steering shaft on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-0...016QQitemZ260035831574QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

If you need one sooner, you'll have to head off to a junkyard.

That seemed reasonable, so I owned it.

 

[95Mustang302]

is that the pice that the rag joint is in, if so would that fix all the play that is in my steering?

 

[WhiteDevil]

It just bolts to the back of the steering wheel. Get under the dash and un bolt it and then pull it out throught the engine bay side.

 

[diablostang]

It just bolts to the back of the steering wheel. Get under the dash and un bolt it and then pull it out throught the engine bay side.

Cool deal,thanks.

 

[mo_dingo]

I would try a tap extractor first. That worked great when I snapped a tap off inside the engine block. They are specific to each bolt size/thread/number of flutes on the tap. IDK where you can get it, but I would start at a store dedicated for tools.
Scott

 

[95cobraguy]

you'll see where the shaft slides onto the steering column right under the dash. there is a big torx bolt u need to remove, i think its a t-45.

 

[gcomfx.com]

you'll see where the shaft slides onto the steering column right under the dash. there is a big torx bolt u need to remove, i think its a t-45.

Just don't strip the head on that bolt.

 

[diablostang]

Just don't strip the head on that bolt.

haha, thanks for the help guys.

 

[WhiteDevil]

hahah i like that one!

 

[Chythar]

is that the pice that the rag joint is in, if so would that fix all the play that is in my steering?

That's one of the spots. Sometimes the bolt holding the steering shaft is loose, and it just needs to be tightened. Check both of them - the one under the dash and the one next to the steering rack. Also, the tie rods can be loose too.

 

[diablostang]

I got my new steering shaft today... Really impressed with how quickly Blue Oval Performance shipped it out.