Intermediate shaft FYI
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 459
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From: North Vernon, Indiana
Intermediate shaft FYI
My steering started becoming loose, I thought I was about to the point of having to replace the intermediate shaft. But before I went and did that I took a look under the dash and seen where it couples together, I grabbed the shaft that goes through the firewall and turned the wheel just a bit, the steering moved before the shaft did. So all I did was tighten the 13mm bolt there and was good to go again. It also solved the knocking noise coming from the column.
All Star
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 961
Likes: 1
From: Akron, OH
I just replaced my steering shaft and I also learned a few things. It clearly was the issue (at first I thought my power steering pump failed, but I was wrong). The U-joint that coupled it with the column had failed. It would move north and south fine, but east to west it was almost completely seized.
In regard to the 2 bolts that hold it in place, first I learned that it's much easier to get at them from underneath and that IMO the tool of choice is a ratcheting combination wrench (especially if the closed/ratcheting end pivots), second...if you have to tighten it anyway, go ahead and take the bolt off and pull the shaft off. You will notice that there is actually a groove in both male ends (on the column and the rack) that the bolt rides in, to obviously make sure that the steering shaft doesn't come off even if the bolt is a little loose. So, as long as the shaft is aligned properly, the bolt should go through easily and start threading. If your steering shaft does require replacement, the OEM part new can retail for close to $300 if not more. After a quick google/amazon/ebay search I found several "new" shafts retailing between $200-250, and quite a few used (vehicle mileage tween 20-100K) going anywhere from $30-100. Buyer beware with used ones, but in a pinch if money is tight, it might be a way to go. It was a simple 2 bolt swap, easily done in less than 30min not having done it before.
Glad you found your issue before going to replace it!
In regard to the 2 bolts that hold it in place, first I learned that it's much easier to get at them from underneath and that IMO the tool of choice is a ratcheting combination wrench (especially if the closed/ratcheting end pivots), second...if you have to tighten it anyway, go ahead and take the bolt off and pull the shaft off. You will notice that there is actually a groove in both male ends (on the column and the rack) that the bolt rides in, to obviously make sure that the steering shaft doesn't come off even if the bolt is a little loose. So, as long as the shaft is aligned properly, the bolt should go through easily and start threading. If your steering shaft does require replacement, the OEM part new can retail for close to $300 if not more. After a quick google/amazon/ebay search I found several "new" shafts retailing between $200-250, and quite a few used (vehicle mileage tween 20-100K) going anywhere from $30-100. Buyer beware with used ones, but in a pinch if money is tight, it might be a way to go. It was a simple 2 bolt swap, easily done in less than 30min not having done it before.
Glad you found your issue before going to replace it!