Steering u-joint

[Lee Follansbee]

I want to add a universal joint to my steering shaft assembly to correct a slight misalignment and thus have the wheel easier to turn. I am looking at either a helicopter joint with a minimum ultimate static torque of 150 foot pounds OR a Borgeson joint with a minimum ultimate static torque of over 300 foot pounds.

The Formula Ford is so light and I doubt it will see a static torque approaching the max for either of these joints. The Borgeson joint is much larger, bulky and I think it would be overkill but we are talking about steering after all.

I looked in all of Carroll Smith's books but didn't find a section that dealt with these. Any comments or suggestions?

[petawawarace]

The helicopter joint is overkill at 150ftlbs. That should be the 5/8" bore correct? If so, they are common on a lot of cars that have far heavier steering than a FF. Just follow the instructions for welding them in, or you will cook the grease out of it.

[Robert J. Alder]

Many choices at Summit Racing:
https://www.summitracing.com/search/...ing%20U-Joints

[bob darcey]

These from Woodward are beautifully made, fairly compact:
http://www.woodwardsteering.com/PDF/...d%20Shafts.pdf

[Daryl DeArman]

Get a good quality 5/8" bore Apex/Helicopter joint. It's plenty strong, but most importantly good quality. You don't need any perceptible play in the steering.

[BorkRacing]

These from Woodward are beautifully made, fairly compact:
http://www.woodwardsteering.com/PDF/...d%20Shafts.pdf

Lee,
I put one of these on my 32f steering shaft. They make one that fits the splines on the steering rack.

Rob

[Lee Follansbee]

thanks everyone for your input. I do like the Woodward part, it looks really nice. Rob, did you weld it on one end of the shaft with the splined end on the other?

I was also thinking with the 5/8" helicopter joint it would fit inside the hollow shaft and could be bolted in place with grade 8 hardware. It has a 5/8" bore (I.D.) and a 3/4" O.D.

[BorkRacing]

Lee,
I needed to slide a pulley ring onto the shaft for my AiM Steering sensor. So I cut the old end off that had the splines on it.
Then I bolted the non splined end of the u-joint onto the shaft with AN (Grade 5) cap head allen bolt and a low profile locknut to keep from catching my shoe when braking.

[Lee Follansbee]

Flaming River is also an alternate supplier that I found. Their recommended using a 3/4 x 36 shaft and a u-joint that has a 3/4 x 36 on one end and a 5/8 x 36 on the other. I may go that way. I am not home right now so I can't size the shaft length but I can certainly do that soon when I get back. And it eliminates welding on the joint at all.

Thanks everyone for your input.

[Lee Follansbee]

They were very helpful and also had a steering shaft with a splined stub already welded on so I ordered those.