Astro Van steering shaft modified for a 3rd gen

[MeenZ28]

What about JB weld?

[Darren]

What about JB weld?

You'd be crazy

[WMCC Gary]

Ive been studing that video and im wondering if this can be safely done without welding. From what i conclude, after you dis-assemble the coupler from the shaft and rotate it the 90 degrees, the reason it needs to be welded is to keep the shaft from sliding back out of the coupler during in car use, correct? The shaft rotating inside the coupler isn't a worry since its splined... Soooooooo, could the same effect be achieved if you were to drill a small hole threw the base of the coupler, threw the shaft, and back out the other side of the coupler and then use either a small screw and nut or hell, even a cotter pin? It would serve the same purpose of keeping the shaft from wiggling back out during use and if what the guy in the video says is true (that its pretty secure in the coupler even without welding) then that could work, right? Thoughts?

done Properly this would work fine.

No. Don't do that. You'll be taking a huge risk. It needs to be welded. Buy one off TGO I just saw one in the for sale adds. Or go pull one clock it and go have a shop weld it really fast. Or if I can get out this weekend I'll pick you up one and do it.

Why? Is this not the same way the factory hold the stock shaft to the column.

[Darren]

hes talking about running a bolt through the actual shaft modification part and then in turn bolting it in the factory location. I dont see you A) Drilling through the shaft easily or safely and B its not something thats really feasible the way the shaft is designed. I wouldnt trust it. Not like there is a lot of material there and I dont see it working. But what do I know, I have only done 100's of these...

[WMCC Gary]

Not trying to argue with you Darren just trying to understand your reasoning.

The shaft is splined, the the clevis is splined, they have a close tolerance fit. You just need to lock them together, the spline is doing all the work. if you Drilled and pinned the clevis to the shaft, I really see no issue with this. I have seen roll pins used in far heavier applications then this.

[MeenZ28]

I don't want to start arguements... just trying to see if there's another way around welding. If there's not, then there's not. I don't want to risk anything either. I've asked a couple shops around to see if they'd do it for me and once they understood what I was asking.... said no. Probably as stated before a liability thing.

Maybe I'll just stick with the stock shaft and not worry about it anymore. Sorry guys.

[Jdseibe]

well.. if I do this mod I'll see what I can do about snagging an extra shaft and doing the mod for ya.. probably wouldn't be for a little while though.