Steering shaft U-joint?

[leakyfaucet]

I have about a half inch of play in my steering. (From the steering wheel) It makes the car feel like it's 30 years old. I have traced the play to what looks like a U-Joint (If that's what it is) about halfway down the steering shaft. I looked at someone's Ford Ranger and it had a piece of rubber in that joint. Mine doesn't. I'm assuming if it had the rubber in there, one side of the joint couldn't move independently of the other.

My questions are:

Am I supposed to have that rubber thing in the joint?

How hard is it to replace the rubber thing, or if I have to, the whole joint?

How expensive?


Thanks for any and all input!

 

[cjones]

1. yes, you should have one in there.

2. if you're somewhat mechanicaly incline then you can replace it.

3. you can call Ford for a stock replacement or aftermarket for a nylon or even a metal one.

i believe it's called a steering coupler. Part# EOSZ3A525A you should double check on the part #.

 

[HISSIN50]

i think some folks call it a rag joint too (if that helps with identifying what you need, although CJ pretty much left nothing ambiguous in his post. ).
good luck.

 

[leakyfaucet]

Thanks for the replies guys!

i believe it's called a steering coupler. Part# EOSZ3A525A you should double check on the part #.

Is that for the just the joint part? I assume I have to replace the lower part of the shaft too then, right? Anybody have any links to websites showing how to do this proceedure, or any tips on how to do this? I have almost no idea what to do, although I am somewhat mechanically inclined.

 

[351LX]

I have seen the round rubber coupler piece in those red 'Help' packs at the local parts store.It might be easier to just pick up a different steering shaft at the wreckers.There are only three bolts that hold it in place, two down by the rack and one that goes through the shaft in the area of the master cylinder.

 

[CobraWannabe]

If you're slightly mechanically inclined, once you take it off, it's easy to get back on. You shouldn't need to replace the whole lower part, just the joint itself. An extra hand always helps too.