Borgeson Steering Shaft Help

[Jeff10]

Hi Everyone,

Before I start... yes, if I had it to do over again, I would probably just have replaced the rag joint on the steering shaft. But... I'm quite a ways past that point now.

I have now ordered two different Borgeson replacement shafts from Summit, and neither one of them will work.

First... what I have learned (or at least thing I learned). The 1971 Bronco I bought less than 2 months ago came with power steering. From what I have read, power steering was not a factory option... so the power steering must have been added after the fact.

The first Borgeson shaft I bought (000970) was for a full size Ford pickup. It had splines on each u-joint for connection onto the upper shaft and the steering box. The upper spline fit fine, the lower spline appears to be a little bit too small for the steering box spline.

So... I did more research.

The second Borgeson shaft I bought (000973) indicates it is for a Ford Bronco with manual steering. (Which would be the case if it were stock.) There is no spline at one end of the shaft. (I think that is the upper shaft connection.)

So... I now have two Borgeson shafts that won't work as-is. I either need to find a shaft that works from Borgeson or another supplier, or I need to cobble something together with the parts I have. (For the cost of the Borgeson units I would prefer not to do damage to them.)

I am posting pictures of the steering box input shaft (hard to see, I know) and the splined connection (w/flat) on the u-joint at the end of the lower shaft that was in the Bronco when I bought it.

I could sure use some help identifying what I have so that when I call Borgeson I will be able to provide enough information to hopefully get something on the way so that I can wrap this steering system up.

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Sorry for the lack of steering box pictures... without removing the box, I can't even get to it.

Thanks for your help.

Jeff

 

[71broncman]

I'd say, just pick the new shaft that will work for your application, take the U-joint that will work off of the other shaft and call it good. Or get on Borgesons website and order a U-joint from them. Measure the shaft and count the splines to give them accurate info. Then see if Summit will take the other shaft back to ease the burden some.
Mark.

 

[brewchief]

Bronco Graveyard has 5-6 different shafts available, I had the option of two different ones for mine depending on weather I wanted to retain the rag joint or go with two u-joints, you will need to determine what you have but that's not that tough.

 

[Pipehitter]

use the older shaft if the spline count is correct for the steering box, cut off the rag joint, and purchase a flamming river U joint to connect the lower shaft to the upper shaft. U joint could either be a double d or round and weld. Probably will be something like 1" on the lower shaft end and 3/4" on the upper, but measure to be sure. May have to go to Summit or some other place to find this Flamming River u joint.

 

[WILDHORSES]

We build over 50 different shafts everyone is application specific. The shaft in your pic appears to be 73-75 Bronco, steering box 73-77 Bronco. We would assume the PO pulled the column from the 73-75 also but a pic of the part coming out from the firewall would confirm that. If by chance your Bronco has a body lift forget about using the rag joint. Click the link if you're interested.

http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/Custom_Lower_Steering_Shaft/Bronco_Steering_Shafts