Is my Steering coupling stuffed?

Donny · 05-08-2012, 01:12 PM

Hi guys, over the last few months Iv noticed some movement in the steering column. I thought maybe the mount bolts had worked lose some.

However today I got under the dash to look and noticed the column seems tight at the top, but the shaft where it goes through the firewall moves around.
I grabbed the other end of the shaft in the engine bay and it has the same slop on that side.

So, is this the steering coupling issue Iv heard about around the traps, or something else?

I have the car going in for a full service and check over tomorrow, so it would be helpful if I know exactly what is needed and I can tell the mechanic to do that rather than having to pay him diagnosis time..

Donny · 05-08-2012, 11:43 PM

Unbelievable, nearly 50 views an not one reply or comment.. Seems like the forum has gone to the dogs a bit of late..

I got more comments on my Tickford AU Face Book page about it.

**auIILTD** · 06-08-2012, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donny

Unbelievable, nearly 50 views an not one reply or comment.. Seems like the forum has gone to the dogs a bit of late..

I got more comments on my Tickford AU Face Book page about it.

Donnie, would you prefer that we fed you BS? In my experience with these forums, if people do not know, they will not post.

If you are after re-assurance to prop you up, I suggest that you stick to FB.

Donny · 06-08-2012, 01:17 PM

I posted the question here first and thought that with 80 000 plus members total, I would have good odds on getting some useful info pretty quick.

That's how it used to work before in this area with other things Iv asked in the past.. Now its 24 hours later and still nothing helpful after nearly 100 looks.

The steering columns, couplings and intermediate shafts are a fairly well known issue on the AU's from what I have heard so I would have thought I had decent odds on a fast answer here before anywhere else..

**auIILTD** · 06-08-2012, 01:22 PM

Maybe bad timing? Either that, or just not as many people follow the AU section any more?

I have not seen that before, but good luck getting it sorted.

Stu

mik · 06-08-2012, 02:02 PM

check out this post, it might be some help.
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...ring+universal
ii think donny some don`t like to put it out there as diagnosing on the internet can be a bit hit and miss.

Mr Hardware · 06-08-2012, 02:50 PM

Hi Donny,

I had this problem a couple of years ago. I had to have the whateveritis that holds the steering column in place in the firewall replaced. Had a taxi mechanic do it, was cheap and quick if i remember correctly.

Donny · 06-08-2012, 06:21 PM

Stu, you may be right, possibly bad timing..

Mik, thanks for that link. Im pretty sure it's not the intermediate shaft after reading all that. If I read that topic right, that particular part has been changed in mine already and is the part wrapped in that heat wrap in the below pic.

Mr Hardware, what you describe sounds like the problem mine has. The bush or bearing that locates and centralises the steering column where it goes through the firewall is what I think is up the putt on mine.
My mechanic recons the bush has come clean out of its correct position. This makes the bottom of the steering column pole where it joins the intermediate shaft all wobbly if you put any pressure on the wheel or steering column shaft.

Can you please dig up or find me some info as to what part was required and replaced?

Mr Hardware · 07-08-2012, 09:31 AM

No info sorry mate, it was one of those 'take it down to old mate micko at random taxi base and he'll have it done by the end of the day, $120 cash'. I don't think i asked about it on here.
From memory it felt like yes, the bush or whatever it's called that located the column in the firewall had worn or i think maybe popped through? or separated? or something like that. I also had symptoms of greater engine noise in the cabin. I have it in my memory that that whole plate with the three bolts had to come off or be replaced entirely? I dunno. Like i say, it was years ago. Probably more like 4 years ago than 2.

Kryton · 07-08-2012, 09:38 AM

Yes, that is the intermediate steering shaft.
Get under the dash and make sure the bolt that goes through the steering rack is tight (second pic in first post next to where you have written).
If that isnt it, then its the uni joint at the fire wall end of the intermediate steering shaft.
Undo the intermediate steering shaft from the uni joint (and the other end of the shaft), pull the shaft from the uni joint, get someone to hold the steering wheel still and wobble the uni joint to see if it moves.
I have a spare one here that i no longer need.

Donny · 07-08-2012, 10:42 AM

Thanks fellas. My mechanic might be onto a fix, he has been in touch with Ford Spare Parts and it looks like they have identified the part that's stuffed.
Its possibly called a Toe Plate.
He is on his way across town to that dealership now, so fingers crossed they have the part needed in stock and it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg.

Kryton · 07-08-2012, 12:10 PM

If the Toe Plate is the plate that bolts to the firewall, that isnt the problem.
Its the uni joint as previous mentioned.
The plate is metal - the coupling that mounts the uni to the plate is plastic.

Donny · 07-08-2012, 12:34 PM

Hopefully I should know something either way by the end of the day.

mik · 11-08-2012, 03:47 PM

how did you go Donny?

BHDOGS · 12-08-2012, 04:34 PM

I don't have looseness but at idle I can feel the engine idle through the steering wheel in my hands it stops when moving tho could this be the same bush causing it?

Donny · 13-08-2012, 10:49 AM

Well guys I had this part replaced. The part alone cost around $400. The difference is astounding. Its so much quieter inside now..

Its to hard to explain the part, so I will post a pic of it instead..

bhdogs, I don't know if this is the culprit on your car or not. On mine if I grabbed the steering wheel and put up, down or sideways pressure on the wheel you could feel what seemed like the whole steering shaft moving.
There was a lot of engine noise penetrating the inside of my car but this noise was present from the day I bought the car, so until now I didn't know that it wasn't meant to be that loud inside.

You may have the more common issue of the intermediate steering shaft in between this part and the steering rack transferring vibrations through to the column. This problem becomes quite prevalent when aftermarket extractors are fitted..

I spent just under 2k all up on the car. Had the brakes fixed, had 2 warped discs, 1 on the front and one on the rear, they also repainted the calipers for me. Oil and filter, engine flush, fuel treatment, new engine coolant and flush, new expansion tank and cap, clean and oil the k & n air filter, power steer flush an new fluids, full brake fluid flush, new fuel filter, adjust clutch and a full service and check over of everything on the car..

Kryton · 13-08-2012, 10:53 AM

Glad its fixed but just so you know, that isnt one part, thats 2 parts that literally just clip together.
The uni joint slides into the metal plate and just clips into place.
It is likely the uni joint that had the play, which is a whole $40 at any wreckers.
You could have done the job yourself with basic tools and about 20 minutes of your time.

Donny · 13-08-2012, 11:16 AM

Thanks again for your advice, I just had another look at that and your right. The plate alone can be seperated from the shaft, bearing and knuckle bit.
The bearing that clips into the plate has failed on mine and the uni joint is tight as, I just checked that..

I had the option to go second hand or chase stuff up cheaper, but in the end as this car is my daily and I'm very fond of it, I sprung for a new genuine part.
This is the first maintenance/repairs money Iv spent on this car since I bought it 20 months ago. The cars totally worth it to me and I like my cars to be in top shape..

Here's a more detailed image..

Kryton · 13-08-2012, 11:41 AM

I had play in my old ute and thought it was the uni (as most are) so i got replacement parts etc and had a good look at them.
Mine turned out to be the bolt which holds the shaft to the steering column had fallen out (the bolt hole above where you wrote "And if I hold this.." in the pic above), so my steering wasnt actually jheld in by anything other than luck - the steering shaft had nearly worked its way off of the uni joint.

Donny · 13-08-2012, 11:55 AM

You were one lucky fella then.
Years ago I had a steering coupling fail on my XB GT. Luckily I had just straightened it up as I was parking it, and that's when it let go.

BHDOGS · 13-08-2012, 02:08 PM

Yup that part is what moves on mine when I shake the column I can get quite a vibration going like a drum! I've tightened the bolt under then dash and the bolt to steering rack so must be this! Cheers fellors I'll try and find another one

mik · 16-08-2012, 01:31 PM

well done Donny,and good explanation and pics and thanks to davway as well.

ZC Burgundy · 21-01-2016, 09:16 AM

FullSizeRender.jpg

Hi Guys.
I'm new to this so please bear with me..

My intermediate shaft has a lot of play coming from the pin..
Looks like this pin once had a bush..
Can i just weld this pin to eliminate the play?
They want $600 for a new shaft which i just cant afford..

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
(its from an AU11 v8)

**George V** · 25-01-2016, 10:40 PM

[QUOTE=George V;5572568]ZC Burgundy,

This thread is dead for more than 3 years.

To answer your question - Welding while maintaining it's straightness can be tricky. Others have sourced the intermediate shafts from wreckers with good results.

You can always try a machine shop & get them to re-pin it.

Hope this is of some assistance.

KRL-94 · 19-05-2016, 11:19 PM

that bearing in the plate just needs to be gently tapped back in with a hammer and flat blade screw driver. had this issue and did exactly that and problem solved.

meanfalcon · 20-05-2016, 05:41 AM

The pins in the shaft would be shear pins. welding would fix it but you have lost the benefit of having a break point in an emergency.
And as the guys said if it is the bearing outside the fire wall it can be tapped back in to place if it is still serviceable.

V8falcons · 17-05-2017, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KRL-94

that bearing in the plate just needs to be gently tapped back in with a hammer and flat blade screw driver. had this issue and did exactly that and problem solved.

I wish it was that easy one of mine has dropped the bush.. and is a ***** to knock back up..might have to remove that universal assembly to get to the bush

Nick Gardiner · 07-06-2019, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kryton

Yes, that is the intermediate steering shaft.
Get under the dash and make sure the bolt that goes through the steering rack is tight (second pic in first post next to where you have written).
If that isnt it, then its the uni joint at the fire wall end of the intermediate steering shaft.
Undo the intermediate steering shaft from the uni joint (and the other end of the shaft), pull the shaft from the uni joint, get someone to hold the steering wheel still and wobble the uni joint to see if it moves.
I have a spare one here that i no longer need.

Kryton
Not sure if I miss understood you.
Do you have a ford au V8 lower steering shaft as I have play/ware in mine and would like to get one.
is there a way to get them reconditioned?

**Raptor** · 07-06-2019, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Gardiner

Kryton
Not sure if I miss understood you.
Do you have a ford au V8 lower steering shaft as I have play/ware in mine and would like to get one.
is there a way to get them reconditioned?

Nick, That's the problem when digging up old threads.

The user that made a comment, coming up 7 years ago, may no longer be around

Kryton - Last Activity: 14-07-2017 08:10 PM

Sorry, I can't help either.

.