Steering coupler question

67Dart273 said
I have to tell you guys that I believe that NOT ONLY the angle is an issue. You don't think there's some flex between the K and the body/ column on a hard bump, etc? The factory coupler SLIDES quite a ways, and even other (brand) cars, and vans, which use the flat washer "rag" coupler will move, say, + / - 1/4" or so with no problem.

These U joint setups give you ZERO axial (in / out) movement, and may damage the column, or "work" the setscrews loose and wear the box spines.

Yes. The sliding stock coupler eliminates wear on the coupler and stress on the steering input shaft. I think it slides A LOT more than it has to, but something there should probably slide.

That's why I went through all the trouble to attach a telescoping shaft into my steering shaft when I put in the steering u-joint. http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=228107

I know that guys run just the steering joint, and with low mile cars that's probably an option. But if you put the kind of miles I put on mine as a daily driver, eventually something will wear out. Hopefully the steering u joint, but there's also the possibility of wearing out the input shaft bushings in the steering box. Which will cause a leak at the seal, and sloppy steering. There's a reason the factory put a complicated sliding, articulating joint there. It definitely wasn't to save money.

67Dart273 said
We both "hit" the same time, LOL