TR4/4A tr4 steering column-replace rubber with u-joints?

[trfourtune]

Hi out there,
has anyone replace the steering rubber joints on their tr4 with steel u-joints? If so, what did you use? Does the tr6 have steel u-joints that fit the tr4 steering shafts?
thanks
Rob

 

[TR4nut]

I replaced the bottom rubber joint with a u-joint from a TR6. Straight swap, no modifications, and it cured the problem I had in that I could not get the lower original joint to tighten down properly on the rack spline.

Randy

 

[TRDejaVu]

Randy

I went to do this tonight, but found that the universal joint was about 5/8 shorter than the rubber joint. I couldn't see anywhere to make that up from other areas. I'm wondering if the different mounting of the early TR4 rack is what is preventing this compared to your installation.

I had obtained a middle shaft and universal on eBay. That shaft has an integral "Tee" at one end and the splines at the lower end. The shaft is also about 3-4 inches longer than my one. So it was too long to use. I need something in between.

 

[TR4nut]

Ian-

Sounds like you purchased a TR6 steering shaft, I think it is longer to accomodate the 6 cylinder block. I'll try and measure the shaft & u joint I'm using to see if there is any difference on the later TR4 - I dont recall shifting anything specifically, but on my car there is room to pull the entire setup forward by loosening the top clamp to the upper steering column.

Randy

 

[DanB]

The steering column can be pushed forward to make up that difference. You will need to loosen it up in the passenger compartment to do that.

Dan B.

66 TR4AIRS EFI
80 TR7 DHC

 

[TR4nut]

Ian-

Did you sort this out already? I finally remembered to measure the steering shaft I have. The shaft length is 21.25" from where it exits the lower u joint to where it enters the upper tee that attaches to the rubber doughnut.

Randy

 

[Willie_P]

For the Tr4 (I have an early tr4, a 62 - which has the flexible couplings at the bottom of the steering shaft and at the top, so two in total) - did you replace both flexible couplings with u-joints?

Would it be advisable then to replace both flexible couplings with u-joints? Is this necessary? Otherwise, I could get a longer steering shaft and only use one u-joint (likely, the lower) and eliminate any/all coupling or u-joint on the upper end of the steering shaft (although this seems like a lot of work tracking down a new shaft).

any thoughts, anyone?

wp

 

[Darrell_Walker]

I replaced both of the flexible couplings on my 4A with the solid ones for the TR6. If I recall correctly, I had to grind the end of one of the shafts, but other than that, it was a direct replacement.

 

[HerronScott]

Darrell,

I had not heard of replacing both since as far as I know the TR6 still used a flexible one for the upper coupling. I replaced my lower one with a TR6 solid coupling (145377) and used a lower TR6 shaft (213308) which is a direct replacement at least on the TR4A.

Willie,

The lower and upper inner shaft appear to be the same on a TR4 as a TR4A according to the SPC so I would think this should work for a TR4 as well.

Scott

 

[TR4nut]

The only part I changed out was the lower rubber coupling for the TR6 style lower u joint. No change needed for the shaft.