Chromoly U Joint Steering Shaft!

[P.Kelly]

Does this fit an airbag car?

this?

[VinniE30]

Lets start the list.
1. VinniE30

[plain325]

Count me in, e36 rack.

[VinniE30]

bump! come on people i want this now!

[TinyT]

1. Mutty
2. VinniE30
3. Plain325

We can do 5 and ill get the first batch made up and sent out.

[brian52555]

Sorry if this question is really stupid -

but is the shaft underneath the accordion boot user adjustable, lengthwise?

[VinniE30]

Sorry if this question is really stupid -

but is the shaft underneath the accordion boot user adjustable, lengthwise?

I don't know... but if it was adjustable then why would there be 2 different versions, one for the e30 rack, and one for the e36 rack... (I believe the difference is that the steering column needs to be slightly shorter or longer length for the e36 rack)

[JGood]

Sorry if this question is really stupid -

but is the shaft underneath the accordion boot user adjustable, lengthwise?

The shaft underneath is actually 2 parts, one half slides inside the other half, so in the event of an impact, it will collapse a few inches before doing any serious damage. Also makes removal and install much easier.

I made my own steering shaft using a single 3/4" DD shaft, non-collapsible, with 3/4" DD joints on each end. Removal/install is virtually impossible, and if I have an impact on the steering rack that moves it, I'm going to have some problems. The collapsible shaft is a good product to have.

Unfortunately, Terry Fair is the one who got Flaming River to make these joints to his specs, exclusively for the shafts they began offering. They did all the leg work, hence their price. Then Flaming River turned around and started selling these joints commercially.

[brian52555]

Ouch. Good to know, thanks for the info.

I want

[P.Kelly]

I'll ask a third time, with more specificity, does it fit the 1990-91+ E30 with an airbag steering shaft?

It's okay to say, "I dont know," but ignoring me is not going to make a sale.

[Brian D]

I made my own steering shaft using a single 3/4" DD shaft, non-collapsible, with 3/4" DD joints on each end. Removal/install is virtually impossible, and if I have an impact on the steering rack that moves it, I'm going to have some problems. The collapsible shaft is a good product to have.

Preface this by saying that I know the following is true for an airbag steering column, but I'm not sure about the pre airbag column.

I've seen this idea before, mostly when people are talking about replacing the rubber disc in the stock lower joint. The stock collapsible shaft is not the piece we are discussing here, it is number one in this drawing:



The column is designed to collapse in the event of a front end impact at the splined end of the lower half(right where the #1 is pointing to), sliding into the upper tube. That's why the large nut is in the middle of the assembly. The stock lower joint (#2) assembly is not designed to collapse. The rubber disc is not where it collapses! The piece that is for sale here replaces #2.

Again, this is for an airbag car, but looking at the stock lower joint for a pre airbag car, it doesn't look like it has collapsibility built into it either. I'd have to pull an early column apart to verify, but I'm betting it's the same in practice.

Sorry to go on a tangent, but I believe it's important to see how these things are designed to work.

Interesting about the U-joints though...but it sounds like it's Flaming River's deal. If they're for sale...

[JGood]

Preface this by saying that I know the following is true for an airbag steering column, but I'm not sure about the pre airbag column.

I've seen this idea before, mostly when people are talking about replacing the rubber disc in the stock lower joint. The stock collapsible shaft is not the piece we are discussing here, it is number one in this drawing:


The column is designed to collapse in the event of a front end impact at the splined end of the lower half(right where the #1 is pointing to), sliding into the upper tube. That's why the large nut is in the middle of the assembly. The stock lower joint (#2) assembly is not designed to collapse. The rubber disc is not where it collapses! The piece that is for sale here replaces #2.

Again, this is for an airbag car, but looking at the stock lower joint for a pre airbag car, it doesn't look like it has collapsibility built into it either. I'd have to pull an early column apart to verify, but I'm betting it's the same in practice.

Sorry to go on a tangent, but I believe it's important to see how these things are designed to work.

I *think* the early models don't have that collapsing column, but instead the shafts have pins in the knuckles that are designed to break free, collapse, and still allow for steering control after an impact. Both of my e30's are early models, I've never messed with an airbag car. So it seems as though you'd be OK without a collapsing shaft on an airbag car, as long as you don't mind the serious PITA of removal/installation.

Interesting about the U-joints though...but it sounds like it's Flaming River's deal. If they're for sale...

Valid point. And I probably should have kept my yapper shut, as it's none of my business and has no relevance the thread, lol!

[P.Kelly]

^^ God points above. I beleive that you are correct that the collapability on the airbag car is above the u joints in the shaft as diagramed two posts above, so in theory this assembly should work just fine.

In practice... Want to send me one at cost and I'll test it and post up an airbag car install how-to for you?

[nrubenstein]

^^ God points above. I beleive that you are correct that the collapability on the airbag car is above the u joints in the shaft as diagramed two posts above, so in theory this assembly should work just fine.

In practice... Want to send me one at cost and I'll test it and post up an airbag car install how-to for you?

Given that the length is dramatically different, I don't see it working without a significant alteration.

[TinyT]

I'll ask a third time, with more specificity, does it fit the 1990-91+ E30 with an airbag steering shaft?

It's okay to say, "I dont know," but ignoring me is not going to make a sale.

Iv been trying to figure this out, sorry you feel I was ignoring it. I work 60 hours a week and do this stuff extra, I'll do better at keeping up on everyone's questions :)