[DeTomaso] slop in steering slip shaft?

[Mike Drew]

Steven,

I learned a brilliant trick from Stephane Bergeron from Paris.

I noted the relative position of the male and female parts of the slider assembly when installed, then removed both halves. 

Lining them up alongside one another, I noted the position of the two nylon clips inside on the male portion. 

I then drilled a hole on one of the flats of the female portion, between where the two clips reside when the components are assembled. 

I had a nut (whose internal size was slightly larger than the hole) welded to the flat. 

I ran a tap through the nut, continuing the thread into the drilled hole. 

I then reassembled everything.  Once it was all back together, I threaded a very short bolt through the nut/hole. The end of the bolt presses against the side of the male portion of the assembly, driving it into the opposite inside of the female assembly. This removes all slop yet still allows it to collapse in the event of an accident. 

Prior to this, I had followed Dennis Quella’s advice and welded the two halves together with a pair of small welds, in Lori’s car. The idea is that the welds would break in the event of an accident. 

Both techniques work but the bolt/nut arrangement is a bit more sure to preserve the collapsing capability and is a bit more elegant. 

When attempting to repair somebody’s car in a hurry, a small nail driven into one corner of the male/female arrangement has also worked, and is certainly far easier. 

Mike

Sent from my iPad

> On Apr 16, 2020, at 06:05, Steven Edwards1969Dart <gsedwards at cox.net> wrote:
> 
>    What has people done to take out the slop in the steering shaft slip
>   joint?
> 
>   I have a 72 that the owner does not like to slop, the steering wheel
>   moves back and forth in the middle, straight ahead position. The slip
>   shaft has a lot of play, looks like thru the years the shaft has opened
>   up the larger shaft.
> 
>   I am wondering if you can drill a thru hole (like a 1/4") and put a
>   bolt thru it. Or is there anything else that you have done?
> 
> 
>   Steven Edwards
> 
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