In this thread about steering slop I mentioned all the various things I've done to correct my issue but still have a 1/8" to 1/4" dead spot in my steering. Both CaFlashBob & Roger Engdahl mentioned to check my u-joints in my steering column.
Steering (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=36690)
Finally got under the coach and used 2 sets of channel lock pliers to grab the u-joint right above the steering box and twisted back and forth (above & below the u-joint). The play there was pretty evident. So I think we have a culprit. Bob had mentioned "clocking" the u-joint. I assume he means just removing and turning it 90ยบ. As large as the movement was don't think that would work might try it but would prefer just replacing it.
Since I'm at FOT for a new windshield I walked over to parts to see if they have the u-joint. I really didn't think they would have one but hoped then could give me a part number. They tried to look it up but said the u-joint itself wasn't listed just the whole spline (or steering extension as FOT called it). Which they didn't have either but they did give me the part number. Dana Spicer 906330-100. I've used the jazz hands on the googler without success. Wondering if anybody has been down this road. Is the u-joint replaceable? Does anyone have a part number? Anyone know where I can get the spline if that's the way to go.
If I don't get anything I guess I'll just pull it and get a part number have it matched up somewhere. Unfortunately won't be near a big city anytime soon. Hopefully with the part number I can find a replacement online and mail order.
Humm went out and looked again. Not sure how the u-joint can come out. See pics.
see ya
ken
Move it 45* or so. That runs it in a new spot . You can do a test by changing the steering drag link a few turns ,thus moving the steering wheel and shaft a few degrees.
Move it too far off center and the steering box will try to recenter and add a pull to the side.
Barring easy to replace new parts, remove the shaft and take to as drive shaft shop ,or industry drive shop and either make up a shaft or replace the joints.
The joints may have a clip on the inside section. They may also be stacked in or plastic rivited in.
Or you can send it to me ..
Ken,
No first hand experience with this, but if you remove the 4 bolts holding the steering column in place, would you be able to "slip" the column up enough to clear the U joint? James Triana may know the answer!
Ken,
That U joint is common and are available at Motion Ind. We have one here in Longview so I can just run out there and pick one up. I don't have a number for you though. If you don't have access to a press, anvil, or a 4# hammer take the stub shaft off and to a drive shaft shop as has been mentioned.
To get to ours (we have a '97 so your 92 GV could be different) we have had to remove the bolt that is holding the yoke to the steering box input shaft. This will let you pry the yoke clear of the steering box input shaft. Ours has a slip joint in the steering column that will have enough movement to clear. Then you can just pull the stub shaft out of this slip joint. What I understand is this slip joint is there in case of a crash the column can somewhat collapse.
Mike
Ken,
One other thought is, you have another U joint in the tilt mechanism and it could also have some slop also. Now it is a BIG pain to replace as you have to remove the whole column out of the coach to get to it.
Mike
Driveshaft shop! Thanks!
I'm heading for Eagle Nest, NM after NAC. Should be lots of help consultants there for the summer. Even if I have to drive it to Santa Fe I'll get her done.
Brett will you be in NM this summer? Looking forward to meeting you. :)
see ya
ken
Yes, Dianne and I are "just up the hill" in Angel Fire-- arrived last Friday. High here today 71 degrees F.
If you get another shaft , look into running the joints slightly out of phase . This will reduce the slop at each joint. Doesnt take much , maybe 10* . Ask who ever builds the shaft and take an installed pick to approximate the working angles.
We are shooting to be there Saturday. ^.^d
see ya
ken
Mike's just up the road from you in Longview.... just sayin'.... one of the best, most helpful, most knowledgeable people I have ever met... Worth a longer stay in TX if you can make the time to pick his brain.
I'm hoping it's just the lower but the upper may be a contributor. Will find out when I change out the lower.
And thanks for the generous offer to help. If our schedule wasn't so tight we'd be there! It appears I'll have to drive the width of Texas with it the way it is. FOT is having issues with my windshield and we are due in again first thing in the morning. 1st world problems. :)
see ya
ken
Not sure if this is applicable or not but on my 1993 Newell the steering column would tilt and extend. If it was retracted all the way down the steering would feel sticky and felt like there was some play. If I extended it a bit it would clear that up. Might be worth extending it up a bit to see if that makes it better.
Ken,
We have a place with 50 amp service if you had time and would like to swing by. Just P/M us for directions and to let us know you are on the way.
Mike
When replacing that U-joint, Try to get one that has sealed bearings and doesn't need to be greased. Greasing the one on our (9! GV is a real pain in the neck. I'd be willing to bet that most of those U-joints get overlooked when lubing up. I don't know if ours has two U-joints or not, I'll have to look closer inside of the coach. ---- Have a great day ---- Fritz
Thanks for the kind words, this is real humbling as I'm just trying to help out like a lot of others here.
Mike
Pretty sure if you have the tilt steering wheel there will be one in the cab under the plastic shroud around the steering column. It looks like the shroud is just held on with plastic tabs. I started to pull mine off but meet some resistance and had already met my quota for the day breaking things. I plan on giving it another go.
Like your idea of using sealed joints.
see ya
ken
Maybe look close.. No stamp on the end of the Ujoint?.. I will look at mine.. Been thinking of changing mine out also...
I took my steering wheel off a while back to repair my turn signal/cruise control switch. Had everything tore down to where I could clearly see the top steering column U-joint. I took photos of the R&R process, but I wasn't concerned with the U-joint so did not focus on that component.
Perhaps you will find some useful info in the thread:
Grand Villa Steering Wheel Removal (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=29695)
Finally some follow up...
I pulled the steering extension while in Eagle Nest, NM. Dori was filling in for a friend in Denver for a few weeks so when I took her up there I dropped the extension at a driveshaft shop in the morning. They had it done that afternoon. $60 for the rebuild. $20 each for the u-joints and $10 each to remove & replace. There is absolutely no play in the extension now!
I've reinstalled but won't test drive until we leave Eagle Nest on 8/23. Will report back here after driving.
Until then here are some more pics.
see ya
ken
Did they say if the others were bad or had play?
I am guessing for $60 total, that was not investigated.
Glad to see that the joints are out of phase a little as I had mentioned. Good find and thanks for the conclusion story. Wendon't often get the results of our inputs.
What is that blue section made of? Is that just painted steel? Surprising that paint would hold up over the years. Must not get scoped out that far very often?
That is Teflon bonded to the splines.
I had previously determined that there was play just using a couple of channel locks on each of the u-joints. One above and one below. I could feel the play. Didn't have anyway to measure the play but I could sure feel it and even see a bit of movement when I twisted the cannel locks.
Don't know if this fixed my dead spot issue yet but is bound to help and at $60 well worth doing.
see ya
ken
That was the way they returned the steering extension to me so left them that way. :)
see ya
ken
I'm pretty sure Craneman is correct.
see ya
ken
Drove from Eagle Nest, NM to Chama, NM a couple of days ago. Went a little out of our way to avoid the narrow streets & traffic in Taos. Went over Bobcat Pass thru Red River then Questa and on down to Taos picking up Hwy 64 which we took all the way to Chama. All small 2 lane roads with lots of hills and curves. All I can say is that Big Agnes drove like a dream. No dead spot. Could feel the steering gear kicking in with the slightest motion. I still had to do correction for the road but that's expected. I did arrive much less tired than normal. It may be a month or so before I hit an Interstate but will report back my experience when I do.
With my last alignment I had them set it to factory specs. After I've driven with this for a while I may add a little bit of toe in.
Highly recommend checking your steering extension if you have any kind of dead spot.
see ya
ken