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Plastic pins in steering shaft?

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Offline BIG DOG

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Plastic pins in steering shaft?
« on: November 01, 2008, 06:30:56 AM »
There are 4 plastic pins in my steering shaft, 2 top section and 2 bottom section. To allow that joint to float do I drill out all 4 or do I drill out just the top 2 or the bottom 2??? I only need about 3/4" more shaft length to work.  Will this be enough or do I still need a spacer? Any input you have would be appreciated!

Thanks!
Blair
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Offline Amilla

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Re: Plastic pins in steering shaft?
« Reply #1 on: November 01, 2008, 10:27:40 AM »
Aren't those there for front impact safety?  So your steering shaft doesn't come flying up in your face if you mash something.  My shaft wasn't quite long enough so i put a little spacer between my rag joint.  It worked out pretty good and its easy to make/change.

Amilla
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Offline ROSS

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Re: Plastic pins in steering shaft?
« Reply #2 on: November 01, 2008, 11:55:02 AM »
when i added power steering to my sammi i drilled 2 out.  i believe they are there to sheer in an impact
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Offline BIG DOG

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Re: Plastic pins in steering shaft?
« Reply #3 on: November 02, 2008, 04:59:54 AM »
Quote from: ROSS on November 01, 2008, 11:55:02 AM
when i added power steering to my sammi i drilled 2 out.  i believe they are there to sheer in an impact

The top two or the bottom two ? Or does it matter?
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phloop

Re: Plastic pins in steering shaft?
« Reply #4 on: November 02, 2008, 10:13:45 AM »
Doesn't matter which ones.
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Offline BIG DOG

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Re: Plastic pins in steering shaft?
« Reply #5 on: November 03, 2008, 09:46:38 AM »
This is getting ridiculous I drilled them out and can't get it to move what do I need to do now? I only need about 3/4 " and I have added about 1/2" of spacers all the bolts will allow.My buddy did his never even unhooked his and it fit ok I have been going crazy trying to get this to work!......Hope the shifter extensions goes a bit easier!
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phloop

Re: Plastic pins in steering shaft?
« Reply #6 on: November 03, 2008, 09:14:33 PM »
You'll need to get the hammer out and smack it a bit. The shafts tend to get stuck together with those plastic pins and ages of rust and grime.
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Offline Skyhiranger

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Re: Plastic pins in steering shaft?
« Reply #7 on: November 03, 2008, 09:56:47 PM »
I believe those plastic "pins" are actually the holes they use to inject the liquid plastic into the steering shaft.  Drilling them out really doesn't do anything.
You might have to use some heat to melt/soften the plastic so the steering shaft will move (I had to do that with my samurai shaft).
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Offline idaholwb

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Re: Plastic pins in steering shaft?
« Reply #8 on: November 03, 2008, 10:03:28 PM »
 The pins are there as a sheer point only. They are inserted after the shaft is put to the length it needs to be. It doesn't matter which 2 you drill out. Either a little heat, some PB Blaster, or a few good whacks should take care of it. They do freeze up from years of heat, grime, and rust.
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Offline BIG DOG

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Re: Plastic pins in steering shaft?
« Reply #9 on: November 04, 2008, 04:28:56 AM »
My pins don't go all the way through the shaft... They only seem to be maybe 1/8 " in then it was metal. So, I drilled them out from each side. Now I need to lubricate and pressure them a little bit? Should I be trying to compress or expand them or once they free up will it matter??? And where is the best place to hammer without damaging it?

Thanks!
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Offline Skyhiranger

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Re: Plastic pins in steering shaft?
« Reply #10 on: November 04, 2008, 05:36:14 AM »
Quote from: BIG DOG on November 04, 2008, 04:28:56 AM
My pins don't go all the way through the shaft... They only seem to be maybe 1/8 " in then it was metal. So, I drilled them out from each side. Now I need to lubricate and pressure them a little bit? Should I be trying to compress or expand them or once they free up will it matter??? And where is the best place to hammer without damaging it?

Thanks!

Yep.  That is why I said I believe they are not actually pins, they are just "formed" when the liquid plastic is injected into the steering shaft through the holes in the outer piece of the steering shaft.

I tried to put my steering shaft in a hydraulic press to compress it.....didn't work.  I eventually had to use a torch and a hammer (and a block of wood, if you don't want to damage the steering shaft end) to get mine to collapse, then I lubed it up a little and was able to work it in and out to get it to slide and get it to the right length......I assume you are going to have to do something similar.
« Last Edit: September 15, 2011, 06:56:07 AM by Skyhiranger »
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