Putting in a new steering shaft

[vapiper]

So, I'm going to hopefully fix my very sloppy steering by installing a new Borgeson HD steering shaft (can twist the current steering shaft a few degrees both directions while laying under the jeep) I can also feel with my hand the joints are loose in the stock shaft. Where it connects to the steering box also rotates however no movement in the pitman arm so hopefully it's another piece of the stock shaft that's screwed and not the steering box itself lol...

Anyways reading the instructions that Borgeson sent it says to NOT use the factory flat spots on both the steering box and the steering collum where the Borgeson will slide over....but to put the shaft on...tighten the bolt to mark the location..pull the shaft and file a flat spot.

I read a write up somewhere on the interwebz where the installer did not do this.

I'm a big stickler for "following directions" .... but I also know with jeeps "spit" happens and you have to swag it sometimes.

What say you? Opinions on why they want you to make "new" flat spots and not use the factory ones?

Looking forward to better steering as I want to drive this beast soon lol.

Once done (and if I have a picture taker) look for a write up

and by all means, any of you local to the Northern Va area want to swing by on Saturday shoot me a pm....always nice to meet a fellow jeeper and put them to work

 

[BusaDave9]

I have never done this but check out these links.
http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f19/borgeson-steering-shaft-installation-advice-needed-9315/


Borgeson Steering Shaft for Jeep CJs

 

[gert]

I could not imagine fileing another flat spot on the column but they must have a reason for it

 

[CJ]

The "flat spot" on the column is not really a flat spot (at least on my 72 it wasn't). It is a half round groove. I did not like the way the set screw had to mate to a rounded surface so I actually drilled a shallow hole for the screw to seat into.

 

[vapiper]

I have never done this but check out these links.
http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f19/borgeson-steering-shaft-installation-advice-needed-9315/


Borgeson Steering Shaft for Jeep CJs

That's the info I found searching as well..notice the "how too" link put it in the factory "flat spot"...

OH well....I'll put it in the factory flatspot (if there's one there lol ) and see what happens...if I don't like it will pull it and make new flat spots and call it a day...figure going this way is best as I can file away material, but not really add to it LOL

Now I need to figure out how to get this tomkin box brace on with whatever the PO did with the front bumper lol.....might send this back and buy one that ties into the frame instead....