Collapsable Steering Column? Yes? No?

[ObscureMachine]

As I'm rebuilding my while driving it most days, my first priority is safety issues. So, should I add a collapsable lower steering shaft? How much safety do they really add? My 74 has PS.

 

[sykanr0ng]

Yes, you should have one.
The one piece steering shaft is a solid steel spear aimed at your chest in a head-on accident.
You don't see or hear of deaths from them much any more because of the collapsible shafts used in newer cars and trucks but they were once fairly common.

 

[bronconut73]

After doing a body lift I decided to do WH lower slip shaft as it seemed smarter than moving my stock column down on the fire wall to accommodate the body lift. My rag joint looked pretty bad too.
So I got their shaft.
Cad coated.
Rubber boot.
Beautiful u-joints top & bottom.
"Collapsible".
Accommodates the body lift beautifully.
Obviously uber strong.

I may not have done it without the body lift....but after doing it I am really pleased. It was more beautiful and uber tough than I expected. Its good looking enough that people sometimes point to it when I pop the hood.

Do it. The WH shaft is pretty "and" tough.

 

[toddz69]

Question on these collapsible shafts from the vendors - do they collapse enough to allow easy fitment for removal, etc. without having to remove the box or column?

I have an older one that I put together myself years ago before the vendors offered them and it has a little slop in it. Most of the OEM shafts have a plastic pin or something similar in them to keep them tight and only shears in the case of an accident.

Just curious what the ones are like that WH and others sell.

Thanks,
Todd Z.

 

[ObscureMachine]

After doing a body lift I decided to do WH lower slip shaft as it seemed smarter than moving my stock column down on the fire wall to accommodate the body lift. My rag joint looked pretty bad too.
So I got their shaft.
Cad coated.
Rubber boot.
Beautiful u-joints top & bottom.
"Collapsible".
Accommodates the body lift beautifully.
Obviously uber strong.

I may not have done it without the body lift....but after doing it I am really pleased. It was more beautiful and uber tough than I expected. Its good looking enough that people sometimes point to it when I pop the hood.

Do it. The WH shaft is pretty "and" tough.

After my 2" BL, I've never been pleased with the geometry, the look of the rag joint, or the idea of a solid shaft. The WH shaft is the one I've been looking at.

What's the install like? I've found over the years, that there is always an unexpected element that pops up in the middle of an upgrade. What's going to surprise me?

 

[SteveL]

When it comes to safety I would first work on brakes and a good cage. Then steering,,some harnesses. The collapsible shafts are nice but I would worry about the other stuff 1st.

 

[bronconut73]

Shaft is uber easy but removing the rag joint flange can be tough....

 

[73azbronco]

I'm all about safety but conflicted on the solution to this.

The RAG was never intended to be a collapsible column, it was designed to flex the steering shaft during body movement, thats it.

The more recent collapsible tubes in the steering column are most likely for pre air bag cars. Most airbag cars I've seen have no collapsable portion which makes sense if you have a steering wheel airbag, you want that to not go anywhere.

If you are using a double cardon setup, one at steering box and one off steering column, I think thats all you need particularly if you wear a shoulder style seatbelt harness like most do when they update the seatbelts off of the rollcage. Think of that double cardon setup like the driveshaft between the axle and diff, if you collapse those they will move off axis while collapsing.

Now, I am also thinking using one of those sliding shafts offered by a vendor as a slick way to give the shaft some flex for body movement, I may go that route, but not because of collapsability, just for usability in ensuring the best feel on the driveshaft.

 

[ObscureMachine]

When it comes to safety I would first work on brakes and a good cage. Then steering,,some harnesses. The collapsible shafts are nice but I would worry about the other stuff 1st.

Brakes, lines and MC have all been completely replaced and front converted to discs.
Wiring harness is next.
Once some floor metal is replaced, a full cage goes in.

So I'm just looking to add as much to the safety factor as possible.

Oh yeah, multiple fire extinguishers!

 

[DirtDonk]

Question on these collapsible shafts from the vendors - do they collapse enough to allow easy fitment for removal, etc. without having to remove the box or column?

Yes. More than enough.
Although it's possible to make them to the point that they're almost fully compressed when they're installed and not have enough room to move. But that's defeating the whole point, so normally they're sized (for a typical Bronco) so that they actually collapse in an accident. By definition this means they have enough room to move for maintenance.
The factory ones use the molded nylon pins, which pretty much negate the ease-of-movement part for normal work. But releases (breaks off) when called upon to do so.
Our shafts can move in and out by hand. You have to use a bit of force, but they will move.

I have an older one that I put together myself years ago before the vendors offered them and it has a little slop in it. Most of the OEM shafts have a plastic pin or something imilar in them to keep them tight and only shears in the case of an accident.
Just curious what the ones are like that WH and others sell.

They're quite tight from a wobbling standpoint. They're fitted decently enough, but what makes the difference is the "leaf spring" tensioner that's slipped in first and resides in a little notch in the middle. This tension keeps any noticeable slop at bay.
Think of the Ford disc brake caliper retainer and it's reverse-arch leaf spring tensioner and you get the idear.

The RAG was never intended to be a collapsible column, it was designed to flex the steering shaft during body movement, thats it.

Well, almost. In most cases the rag joint was used in conjuction with a two-piece collapsible shaft. So it wasn't even there for safety reasons and nobody expects it to do so. Hopefully.
But it's other claim to fame besides accommodating some minimal flex, is vibration reduction. The old noise, vibration and harshness category. Cars got quieter and quieter, smoother and smoother, so the rag-joint was beneficial.
Probably not so much in an EB of course, but I'm sure every little bit helps.

The more recent collapsible tubes in the steering column are most likely for pre air bag cars. Most airbag cars I've seen have no collapsable portion which makes sense if you have a steering wheel airbag, you want that to not go anywhere.

I'm pretty sure that they still use collapsible safety measures in the most modern vehicles.
Yes the air bag is there for your face, but a metal spear being forced up that way from another solid object is going to go right through an air bag and stick you to the roof no matter what.
Nowadays they might make the upper column slightly more rigid to the firewall (just to let the air bag do it's job) but once a certain force is attained I bet it collapses somewhat too. Of course, that level may be well beyond the survivability range! But this way they can more easily identify the body I suppose.

The lower sections are a different beast. Multi-piece shafts, honey-comb (more like that stamped mesh pattern for barriers and outdoor chairs) webbed outer column sleeves designed to crush without moving the upper column. Not to mention designing in geometry that literally disperses the pieces in different directions (up, down and sideways) away from the driver.
They're anything but normal these days. Even with air bags.

If you are using a double cardon setup, one at steering box and one off steering column, I think thats all you need particularly if you wear a shoulder style seatbelt harness like most do when they update the seatbelts off of the rollcage. Think of that double cardon setup like the driveshaft between the axle and diff, if you collapse those they will move off axis while collapsing.

I would say that's at least partially true. But why take the chance that even part of the solid shaft is going to come your way (or the way of your passenger) in a bad accident? I bet the pins in those yokes are pretty strong, and that at least some of the steering wheel and upper shaft is going to try to get to know you better.
Yes there is likely to be some, or even a lot of deflection with the joints as you say. But a collapsible shaft is minimal cost to guarantee some extra safety leeway as it absorbs a good deal more of the impact energy that's trying to move up the ladder.

Now, I am also thinking using one of those sliding shafts offered by a vendor as a slick way to give the shaft some flex for body movement, I may go that route, but not because of collapsability, just for usability in ensuring the best feel on the driveshaft.

Well it definitely does add those aspects. Body lifts, flex, gear box changes, maintenance. All the above are enhanced by one of these shafts.
But I still feel the added safety of the feature makes it even more worth the price of admission.

Paul

 

[toddz69]

Thanks for the great info, Paul! That 'disc brake caliper spring' is a great idea. I'll be calling soon for a new one.

Todd Z.

 

[73azbronco]

Dirtdonk, I 'm not saying there is no type of collapsible section in the newer stuff because of airbags, but... I just looked at four of my new-er airbag vehicles, all have the same "new" setup I'm putting on the Bronco: double cardon joints: one top, one on bottom, no apparent collapsible section of the column other than if the car was in an impact, the joints would fold and allow at least over a foot of compression before moving the steering column.

 

[SteveL]

Oh yeah, multiple fire extinguishers![/QUOTE]

Spend the $$ on a good one. I had one of the cheap ones fail when I needed it. Luckily a guy had a gallon of water and I was able to put it out. The next day I was at 4wp buying a ouple of the good ones.

 

[DirtDonk]

Ok cool. Your info is more recent than mine then. So you're probably right if they did indeed rely on just the joints (and geometry) rather than any sort of slip-shaft.
The cars I've worked with (2000-2010's vintage or so) all had some sort of slip as well as the other stuff.

Are the ones you have all trucks? Or are cars in that mix too?

Thanks

Paul

 

[73azbronco]

One is a 2006 ranger the other is a 2004 Honda and a 2013 Mini and a 2015 mini.

The wife likes mini, dont get me started.

 

[bronconut73]

For some steering columns instead of the shaft being collapsible the column is made of expanded metal for a few inches. In that case the column collapses ...