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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Technical Discussion - Beginner / Repair => Topic started by: zuki1018 on October 13, 2012, 07:24:17 AM

Title: Steering shaft disconnected while driving
Post by: zuki1018 on October 13, 2012, 07:24:17 AM

Good morning folks.

I have a 87 sami.  The bushing worked loose from the firewall side which resulted in the shaft coming disconnected from the steering wheel side (within the column/housing). Luckily I was at a slow speed turning... but definitely a safety issue.

There is a U-joint 6-8" from the firewall, then the longer slip section running through the engine bay which has had the plastic pin removed to extend the shaft.  The rag joint removed and straight bolted to the steering box input with an adaptor to bolt to.

The issue seems that there is nothing to support the entire shafts weight within the engine bay from falling ...such as something like a drive shaft hoop.  Is this firewall bushing all that keeps the assembly from falling? 

Im mainly wondering whats standard to keep this from happening... as I can always weld up a support to keep it from happening.

Title: Re: Steering shaft disconnected while driving
Post by: mrfuelish on October 15, 2012, 02:13:14 PM

I have never had one apart, please post some pics if you can when you fix yours.

Title: Re: Steering shaft disconnected while driving
Post by: zuki1018 on October 15, 2012, 02:22:01 PM

Quote from: mrfuelish on October 15, 2012, 02:13:14 PM

I have never had one apart, please post some pics if you can when you fix yours.

I just cant imagine that the slip joint inside the column is only relying on a 25 year old bushing tightly fitted to the end of the column.  Secondly that no one makes a replacement.

Title: Re: Steering shaft disconnected while driving
Post by: fordem on October 15, 2012, 03:44:09 PM

I'm pretty certain it doesn't - I haven't seen the Samurai one, but the other Suzukis I've looked at are actually pinned - with nylon pins designed to shear on impact and allow the column to collapse.

Come to think of it - could that be the "plastic pin" you say you removed?

Title: Re: Steering shaft disconnected while driving
Post by: Drone637 on October 15, 2012, 06:09:56 PM

If you go to suzukiinfo.com you can download the FSM for the SJ-413.  It has a section on the steering system that covers how your steering is put together.

It sounds like your upper steering shaft is also broken, a picture would help us understand what you are talking about.  But from what you said your entire steering system fell apart.

Title: Re: Steering shaft disconnected while driving
Post by: mrfuelish on October 15, 2012, 10:27:36 PM

I had to break that plastic pin on mine years ago to install power steering and remove the rag joint, that was ten plus years ago!

Title: Re: Steering shaft disconnected while driving
Post by: zuki1018 on October 24, 2012, 09:30:41 AM

Argh... did it again doing a 14 point turn in the yard.

One day here soon I will pull it all down and report back.