Cascade Crew

aaron_sK · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 6:03 pm Post subject: Astro shaft vs. rag joint elim.

Opinions? Stock unit is junky-junk from junkville.

I should probably be worried about important stuff, but I'm thinking about this. Rolling Eyes

turbo_jimi · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 6:18 pm Post subject:

That would be cool.

Al Hasse · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 6:22 pm Post subject:

I looked into this when I had the motor out. Looks easy enough to do except the coupler is clocked 90* and I didn't have the tools or equipment to modify it. I don't see why you couldn't do it in your shop.

http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/suspension-chassis/594075-97-astro-van-steering.html

Dewey316 · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 6:27 pm Post subject:

U-joint is better, unless you get really lucky like I did with the rag-joint elim. My rag joint happened to line up perfectly, but I hear that I am a huge minority in that happening.

--John

Alphius · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 9:11 pm Post subject:

I want to do the Astro column at some point too Aaron. Sounds like a good mod.

iansane · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 9:30 pm Post subject:

I've got the eliminator. Never had an issue. Nice and simple.

91RSVert · Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 3:49 pm Post subject:

The astro shaft is to short and needs to be extended. I have one laying around here somewhere.

I read on TGO you can buy most of the stuff for a little over a 100bux online to do it right. Ive just been on other stuff.

aaron_sK · Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 4:22 pm Post subject:

Jay, that point has confused me as I am seeing guys on TGO who are rotating the upper yoke 90* and bolting the Astro shaft in, and other people are talking about a cut and weld.

Do you recall what year of van yours came out of? Apparently '97 is desirable due to the lack of damper.

91RSVert · Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 5:56 pm Post subject:

I bought it so long ago, I dont remember the year. I didnt have a welder then. I do now, maybe I need to work on that this winter.

DBL_TKE · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 1:36 pm Post subject:

I picked up three astro van steering shafts and they all happened to differ from one another. I found that a Jeep Cherokee steering shaft is a direct bolt and requires only about 10 seconds worth of grinding on the upper f-body shaft in order for the through bolt to fit. I am currently using a jeep steering shaft myself and couldn't be happier.

91RSVert · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 2:01 pm Post subject:

what year jeep? Maybe I need to go look this weekend Very Happy

aaron_sK · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 2:10 pm Post subject:

Need the y/m/m, duder.

I have not been able to find a '97 Astro van in any of the yards so I have not progressed further on this project.

iansane · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 2:50 pm Post subject:

I think I'm going to be ditching my eliminator. I can sell for cheapy cheapy cheap. If you want. Smile

aaron_sK · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 2:54 pm Post subject:

You got PM!

Alphius · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 3:17 pm Post subject:

The Jeep one is from a mid-late 90's Grand Cherokee, right?

jchaussee · Member Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton

This may be a project I will do. But besides the astetic benifits what else is benificial with the swap

aaron_sK · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 3:34 pm Post subject:

There are no aesthetic benefits. If there were I (the unaesthetic builder) wouldn't be doing it. Razz

The mod removes the potentially sloppy rag joint from the steering shaft.

jchaussee · Member Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton

I think its makes it much cleaner under Hood and gives a bit more room I guess. I may go look for a Jeep one

aaron_sK · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 3:55 pm Post subject:

Umm... you do understand that we are talking about a very small piece at the end of the column. All columns look basically the same and are the same size.

jchaussee · Member Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton

I know what it is. The rag joint is a large mass of ugliness.