Hi, Advice appreciated. just mocking up some parts prior to starting build in earnest. the part built kit i bought came with a 2 part steering shaft that looks rubbish and will need a steady/support bearing. Any reason that i can not use a one piece shaft subject to engine mount clearance, it will have to be around 850-900 mm long? If so, can i cut and extend an easily availible 400mm shaft by welding on suitable strength tube in the middle or should i look for a one off long unmodified shaft?
Cant work out how to attache photo to this post but there are some in my photo archive if they help.

Many thanks

I assume that you mean a one piece shaft from the end of the steering column, and not one piece including the column. If so, there is no reason why you cannot do it. Its what I did and it got through IVA no problem. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture that shows it clearly but if you look closely at this one, you can see it running just below the exhaust manifolds.

I would use a new shaft rather than welding two bits in the middle. Cheap enough to buy a rod and just use the old UJ's on each end, but make sure that they are securely attached


Description

[Edited on 2/10/14 by SteveWallace]

Thanks Steve - needed a reality check on that one. Hope the car ran well this summer

It looks from your pics like you have a Zetec.

if so you may find having a joint in the middle of the shaft allows you to clear the oil filter a lot easier.

Mine is one piece and with a Zetec Blacktop I have to take the steering shaft off to change the already very small oil filter.

Stu

Thanks, but it is a Jag AJ30 lump. Oil filter on other side, plenty of room all round. Only potential is a one piece shaft might just interfere with the top stud of the engine mount. I can alway shorten that ensuring 1.5 threads show above top of nut. Also other consideration is that I have yet to finalize the angle of the column as cannot set steering wheel height. No seat to do that yet. This impacts height and therefore angle of the connecting shaft Uj to end of column

Any ideas where I can get an extra long shaft, all I can fing is 400mm max?

I take it you are using the Sierra upper steering column and you need the lower link? You must have a collapseable upper section for IVA . Rally Design sell steering shafts U/Js and a Sierra column to steering shaft joint as do Car Builders Solutions although most use a modified Sierra lower section (Cut and Shut). There was a thread recently about R/D U/J quality so do a search . Another point is to use a self aligning bearing instead of the Sierra column bush, it reduces friction and helps with self centering, costs about a tenner, again worth doing a search on the forum.
Another problem with Luego's if you havent already sorted it out is the crush tubes for the suspension wishbones , yet again well worth doing a search. HTH, Mel

Thanks Rusty Nuts. have looked at the UJ comments and am thinking about the self aligning bearing. Found out about the crush tubes prior to buying the part built kit and do have the issue. have a resolution to hand.