Stock Steering Coupling Bell-Shaped thingy elimination

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March 20th, 2009, 12:12 PM
67M715

Stock Steering Coupling Bell-Shaped thingy elimination

Last night, I fixed my steering once and for all.

The bell-shaped thingy that couples the steering column to the steering shaft was worn out. I did buy a new one but didn't feel like it was safe and kind of rinky dink really.

So what I did is I pulled the steering wheel and pulled out the steering column shaft. I cut the bottom 'T' thing that held the coupler off completely. This left me with a 3/4 round shaft. I called Borgeson and asked what they recommended. They said that I could either run a 3/4 smooth u-joint (which you have to weld on) or I could grind down the sides so it becomes a 3/4 DD.

I was really nervous about doing this and actually didn't touch the steering for a month because I was afraid of wrecking it. So last night, I bit the bullet and ground down the shaft. I took my time and it was really easy. The new 3/4DD ujoint fits perfectly and I upgraded the rest to a telescoping shaft and the rag joint to a vibration dampener with u-joint.

It works really well.

I will have some pictures sometime this weekend but I thought I would post this for those of you that want better, tighter steering. All of the pieces were about $200-225 or so. This was a nice easy upgrade that I feel made my M715 much safer.

If you have any questions or need part numbers (or pricing) let me know. I could probably put a kit together that all you would have to do is grind down your steering column shaft and this new piece would bolt in between the column and box.
March 20th, 2009, 12:47 PM
brute4c

Wow...this sounds like a great upgrade!!

Cant wait to see pics!!
March 20th, 2009, 01:13 PM
Jester

I have been thinking about this exact upgrade. Build a kit and they will come. :D
March 20th, 2009, 01:19 PM
Jester

Also, please post up pics and part numbers. I have a bunch of info and pics I have collected for this as well. Maybe we can build this into a sticky.
March 21st, 2009, 09:33 AM
glenn

I have put a couple Borgeson shafts in early and 78-79 Broncos, mostly bolt in with a little customizing. They make a really nice product.
March 24th, 2009, 05:19 PM
Binford

:needpict:
March 27th, 2009, 01:24 PM
Jester

JP magazine also did a story about power steering in their M truck. They cut the shaft and welded a u-joint on.

I would prefer not to weld it on and to the DD thing like Brent is talking about.
March 28th, 2009, 01:23 AM
Jester

Here is my guess on parts from Borgeson - please correct me if I am off base.

shaft - 450024 - telescoping shaft, 21-27 inch, 3/4" DD & 1" DD
box u-joint - 014940 - 3/4" DD & 13/16" x 36 spline
column u-joint - 014952 - 1" DD & 3/4" DD

The column shaft would have to be ground to 3/4" DD.

These are priced around $225 from Summit. Sure Brent would be cheaper ;)

Would love to see pics.
April 4th, 2009, 01:56 PM
NickS

Steering joint kit

I would also like pics and would be interested in a kit. It looks like a great idea and would help the weak link in this system.
April 7th, 2009, 11:29 PM
67M715

Sorry this took so long but I was cruising right along with my M715 and ran into a couple issues which are now fixed but I didn't have a chance to snap some pics and take the shaft off until tonight.
April 7th, 2009, 11:31 PM
67M715

Here is the whole shaft installed. Sorry about all of the hydroboost and brake hoses in the way but you get the picture:

http://www.bjsoffroad.com/m715/installed.jpg

Close up of the vibration reducer u-joint that is on the steering box end of the shaft:

http://www.bjsoffroad.com/m715/vjinstalled.jpg

Close up of the u-joint on the column end, this is where I ground down the factory steering shaft (after cutting off the bottom 'T' piece) to a 3/4 DD:

http://www.bjsoffroad.com/m715/columninstalled.jpg
April 7th, 2009, 11:33 PM
67M715

These next 3 pictures show the end of the column and how it looks after being modified:

http://www.bjsoffroad.com/m715/column1.jpg

http://www.bjsoffroad.com/m715/column2.jpg

http://www.bjsoffroad.com/m715/column3.jpg

Here is the shaft completely out of the truck:

http://www.bjsoffroad.com/m715/shaft.jpg
April 7th, 2009, 11:36 PM
67M715

One other safety factor on this is that the shaft is now collapsible, which is important if the truck was ever in a front end collision, the steering wheel wouldn't come shooting at me, the shaft would collapse 4-5 inches and hopefully lessen injury.
April 7th, 2009, 11:45 PM
67M715

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jester

Here is my guess on parts from Borgeson - please correct me if I am off base.

shaft - 450024 - telescoping shaft, 21-27 inch, 3/4" DD & 1" DD
box u-joint - 014940 - 3/4" DD & 13/16" x 36 spline
column u-joint - 014952 - 1" DD & 3/4" DD

The column shaft would have to be ground to 3/4" DD.

These are priced around $225 from Summit. Sure Brent would be cheaper ;)

Would love to see pics.

Those part numbers look correct to me, I couldn't find my factory steering box to double check (I have a power steering box from a 85ish Grand Wagoneer which is 3/4-30 spline).

The only issue I see with your setup is you are running a ujoint on the box and on the column. Since the rag joint has been eliminated, the vibration reducer that I put on is meant to replace that, if you don't you will get a lot more road vibrations up to the steering wheel and as we ALL know, these M715's are already not the easiest or the most comfortable to drive so every little bit helps.

Looks like with the shaft (cut to the correct length), the vibration reducer at the box and the ujoint to the column we could do a kit for about $260 or so, if there is enough interest I will set up a page on the webstore.
April 7th, 2009, 11:56 PM
Jester

:welldone:

OK, so how much and when can we order?
April 8th, 2009, 09:50 AM
brute4c

I gotta say it....

That is absolutely beautiful!!
April 8th, 2009, 11:18 AM
Jester

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67M715

Those part numbers look correct to me, I couldn't find my factory steering box to double check (I have a power steering box from a 85ish Grand Wagoneer which is 3/4-30 spline).

I was guessing on my listing. I can double check my power steering box and the manual one in the junk pile.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67M715

The only issue I see with your setup is you are running a ujoint on the box and on the column. Since the rag joint has been eliminated, the vibration reducer that I put on is meant to replace that, if you don't you will get a lot more road vibrations up to the steering wheel and as we ALL know, these M715's are already not the easiest or the most comfortable to drive so every little bit helps.

True. I was being cheap but the vibration reducer would be a big help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67M715

Looks like with the shaft (cut to the correct length), the vibration reducer at the box and the ujoint to the column we could do a kit for about $260 or so, if there is enough interest I will set up a page on the webstore.

I am interested. Isn't that enough? :D Since I have already tossed all the rag joint and tulip thingy, I gotta do it. Its just a matter of where in the process and what parts.

BTW - did you go with steel or bling all out with stainless?
April 8th, 2009, 12:11 PM
NickS

Great looking part

I'll take one too.
Nick
October 16th, 2012, 12:27 PM
97XJSP

Digging this one back up!
I just ended up ordering the exact same parts for my swap. Seems like the best way to do it. Certainly not the most cost effective, but I think it'll work out real nice. I almost saved the $35 and didn't get a vibration dampener joint, but I figured since I'm rebuilding everything else it would be worth it. If someone else wants to do something similar but for less money, there is a much less expensive way. I used a jeep YJ saginaw "76" box and it came with the stock steering shaft. The stock shaft is just like this one, 3/4"DD x 1"DD but the upper joint is meant for a 1" shaft, while the 715 is a 3/4" shaft. Conceivably, you could use the YJ shaft and just buy a single new upper joint (1"DD x 3/4"DD) to connect the YJ shaft to the 715 column shaft. For some reason the YJ uses the vibration dampener at the top of the shaft, so you'd have to buy one of those if you wanted to have one. My YJ shaft was trashed, so I didn't consider it but I think it would still be a good option. The YJ shaft would also have to be trimmed a couple inches, but that's easy. There are plenty of vehicles that use that shaft, so you could always find a decent one at the junkyard to save a few bucks and buy new joints for it too... Here is the list of parts I ordered (the YJ box is 3/4"x30 spline). I also ordered a Grant wheel and adapter, for a little more leg room.

Part Number Part Description Price
BRG-014952 U JOINT $75.72
BRG-034931 U-JOINT $110.24
BRG-450024 24" TELESCOPIC SHAFT $74.97
GRT-414 STEERING WHEEL 13 1/2 BLK $49.95
GRT-4403 INSTALLATION KIT $22.95
July 23rd, 2019, 12:58 PM
roadglide

Steering shaft 69 M715

What would be the size shaft and spline of the upper shaft in the steering column.
I am also looking to do a conversion .
Possible to save lower rag joint but using upper u-joint.
If this will not work, need part numbers on 2-u-joints (upper and lower) and part # on DD shaft. (Bourgeson)
Thanks.
August 25th, 2020, 11:04 AM
teking

D ....am I am constantly amazed at the wealth of information on this board. Well done sir! Ordering parts now.