Welding lower uj joint?

[Usr117063]

I’ve just bought a column off eBay but its clear that there would be play in the steering as even though its not a lot you can twist the joint slightly from the splines or whatever it actually joins on to.

Has anyone welded or got the joint welded and has it lasted? My 182s not even on 80k yet and its dreadful, cant imagine what some are like upwards of 100k though dont really see much talked about this?

 

[bloke]

am sure the standard one is bushed? could be wrong.

 

[Usr117063]

@bloke

I just had another look and think it is bushed.. Its glued on with some rubber, nice and stronk ?
Do you reckon it could still be welded or is there anything else that could be done? I originally looked at new ones but they were 200 quid odd

 

[Usr117063]

Id do a video of my current one while driving but just had a cv boot burst. its unreal though, about 30 degrees of steering does nothing..

 

[bloke]

you can't weld it, fwir it's in a sleeve of rubber so would be a nightmare to do. why not get a uj, chop the bottom of the column off and weld it on?

 

[Usr117063]

Unfortunately this sort of thing is out of my hands and am new to all this as well. So the uj is attached onto this sleeve with the bushing and the sleeve goes onto the splines.

If I understand this is the sort of thing you mean? joint welded straight on?

 

[Usr117063]

Why would they use a bushing on the column like that anyway? So impacts get soaked up better?

 

[bloke]

yup.

presume it's a vibration damper?

 

[White16valver]

Not sure this is any help, but the mk1 MX5s have similar issues with play in the column (when removing the PAS) and need welding:

http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArtic...sa-Part-5--De-Powering-the-Steering-Rack.aspx

I think a welded column might be an MOT failure, though? so might need to be hidden under a gaitor or whatever...

 

[bloke]

I think a welded column might be an MOT failure, though? so might need to be hidden under a gaitor or whatever...

not checked but no reason why it would be.

 

[Usr117063]

@White16valver

Interesting to read. Still running pas but not sure if something similar could be happening. Dont want it to be that ideally lol

 

[White16valver]

The MX5 has play when de-powered because the PAS has the internal setup that triggers a pressure change and the pump to operate (or something like that...??), but it is all metal.

If the Clio rack has a metal-splines-into-plastic-'sheath' (snigger) arrangement, I'm really not sure what could be done?!

How much is a new column from Renault? (hahahahaha!)


They can't all be like this, surely - that would mean every clio over, what, 80k has an inch of play at the steering wheel each side of straight ahead??

 

[Usr117063]

@White16valver

Im not sure if it is, hopefully not. I watched another video on an mr2 and it had play in the bushing and there was clunking so could be just the joint.

Dont think they all have it but I reckon quite few do and people dont realise. Im sure that a lot of people including me, get used to what theyve got that they forget how it should function properly

 

[White16valver]

I think you're right about that - do a complete suspension refresh, including bushes and top mounts, and a car feels completely different to whatever aged, sagging kit was on there previously!

 

[PhillipM]

Not sure this is any help, but the mk1 MX5s have similar issues with play in the column (when removing the PAS) and need welding:

http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArtic...sa-Part-5--De-Powering-the-Steering-Rack.aspx

I think a welded column might be an MOT failure, though? so might need to be hidden under a gaitor or whatever...

That's not on the spline, that's inside the pinion housing where the shuttle lives.

 

[White16valver]

That's not on the spline, that's inside the pinion housing where the shuttle lives.

The technical terms for all the parts in the steering make my head hurt lol

 

[RichValver]

Common to weld these up on mk1 clios so don't see any reason you couldn't weld a mk2 column

 

[Usr117063]

Well was gonna call up a couple of people the other day but called pms first and instead of getting mine welded i bought a complete custom one from their old ph1 complete with a weld on quick release. Spoke to nick who was great to deal with and who drove the car aswell so knows his stuff. If it’s the rack aswell then least Ill have a solid column and a better design anyway

 

[Usr117063]

Well, so far so good, havnt drove it yet ? but looks to be instant reaction when turning the wheel so definitely an improvement. Will test later after traffic.

Will have to either bodge the ignition somewhere or thinking of getting a basic spec dash light dimmer panel to cut out and have the key there which I think will look quite good

 

[White16valver]

Looks good quality!

 

[Usr117063]

wow... I was blind but now I see. The car is an absolute animal now, everything is pin sharp and high speed 100+ is such a joy, I cant believe Ive been driving around all this time with how it was. I replaced everything, inners, rack bushes, outers, got it aligned.. that was probably just 20% correction of the steering, it seriously did the other 80

 

[White16valver]

Glad to hear it!