Stripped lower ujoint on steering column.

[HiSPL]

My new used disco has a completely stripped ujoint where the steering column attaches to the steering gearbox. Thats a pretty dumb design using an aluminum spline fitting in that spot.

How do people fix it? Just replace with the same thing? Is there a better part to use? Anybody driled through the whole shebang and roll pinned it? Just joking on the roll pins. But maybe a 1/4" grade 8 bolt though the middle would work.

 

[ezzzzzzz]

I've seen this on three vehicles. I drill straight through the aluminum and install a bolt and nut. It allows superior clamping force. You may find that there is more than enough spline remaining to hold everything tight.

 

[HiSPL]

Does anybody know the diameter and spline count of the steering box? I might just get the proper set in a Borgeson Ujoint. That would fix it.

 

[Mongo]

I think it's 36 spline...the best fix is to drill and bolt it

 

[cts]

I have significant play in my steering wheel - 3/4 of an inch of rotation play - could that be these splines or most likely the box?

 

[squirt]

I have significant play in my steering wheel - 3/4 of an inch of rotation play - could that be these splines or most likely the box?

If you've never adjusted it, I'd say there's about a 90% chance the steering box can be adjusted to eliminate that. That's actually not a lot of play. In my current D2, when I was driving it home, you could swing the wheel about 20 degrees in either direction and still go in a straight line. Now it's tight and solid.

Other factors like worn TRE's, etc may also cause what you're seeing.