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My steering shaft scare

Discussion in 'Mondial' started by Valenzo, Aug 27, 2012.

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  1. Valenzo

    Valenzo F1 Veteran

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    #1 Valenzo, Aug 27, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    So, Ive been trying to locate a squeak that i believe is under my dash, but it could be my seat or maybe my spare tire up front... its driving my a little crazy.

    On Sunday, after fixing my loose headlight, i decided to crawl under my dash and start wiggling things around with hopes to duplicate this squeak.

    First was my steering shaft, i grabbed and wiggled it and then i pulled up on it and much to my surprise, it popped off the connection!! %#^&# what??? how can that be so easy?? What if, i was fiddling with my feet cruising at 80 on the highway and inadvertently kicked it up? The thought really had me spooked.

    I then pushed it together as far as i could and then cranked on the bolt of the clamp that holds the two together. I'm very surprised its only a clamp and not some sort of set screw that goes into a valley to prevent them from coming apart.

    Its now very tight and wont come apart but now my steering wheel is off center, what was 9 and 3 o'clock, is now 8 and 2, so i have to undue and adjust and tighten it up again.

    Unfortunately it didn't stop my squeak but i'm very glad i checked!

    So everyone, check your steering connection!!
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  2. BRADAN

    BRADAN Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #2 BRADAN, Aug 27, 2012
    Wow that is scary!

    You should take it back apart though and do the following. Replace the nut with a nylock style and put a drop of Permatex thread lock on.
     
  3. Valenzo

    Valenzo F1 Veteran

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    #3 Valenzo, Aug 27, 2012
    Thanks Dan, I will do just that.
     
  4. soucorp

    soucorp F1 Rookie

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    #4 soucorp, Aug 27, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    WTfric! Never heard of that but thanks, now I have to check mine but that does not make any sense if it comes off so easy like you described it! okay, I will check mine tonight.
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  5. La_Rossa

    La_Rossa Karting

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    #5 La_Rossa, Aug 27, 2012
    I guess I'll be checking mine as well!!!
     
  6. Valenzo

    Valenzo F1 Veteran

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    #6 Valenzo, Aug 27, 2012
    Yep. Just tugged slightly and the shaft plopped on the floor and its only a clamp that holds the two. I will be using Dan's suggestion when i go back in. Just need to find out what size nut that is. But... That would have been catastrophic.
     
  7. Wade

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    #7 Wade, Aug 27, 2012
    Glad to hear that you found it beforehand.

    I believe there was a similar incident in the 308/328 forum recently.
     
  8. Steve Magnusson

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    #8 Steve Magnusson, Aug 27, 2012
    Last edited: Aug 27, 2012
    It's not just a clamp. There should be two splined sections separated by a groove around the outside -- the body of the squeeze bolt lies in the groove and prevents the splined section from sliding out unless the bolt is completely removed. I'd suggest that you remove the u-joint and see if the shaft has fractured at the groove.

    It doesn't show super well, but you can see the two splined sections separated by the groove on the shaft exiting the steering rack here:

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    http://www.ricambiamerica.com/parts_catalogs.php?M=FE&P=&V=diag&I=1928

    If you only have the splined section closest to the rack, your shaft must be broken.
     
  9. Valenzo

    Valenzo F1 Veteran

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    #9 Valenzo, Aug 27, 2012
    Comparing it to the drawing, mine apears to be all there. When i go back in, i'll make sure my bolt rest inside that groove before tightening the nylock down.

    I guess mine vibrated itself loose. Geez. It would have required a force up to have seperated it, such as a figidty foot but im just glad i caught it.
     
  10. tonyswfla

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    #10 tonyswfla, Aug 27, 2012
    I would have this checked by a trusted mechanic
     
  11. soucorp

    soucorp F1 Rookie

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    #11 soucorp, Aug 28, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I checked mine this morning, seems nice and tight. Its not going anywhere but the 3.2 have no power steering so the rod columns are slightly different in configuration.

    I think someone forgot to tighten the bolts on yours on the install and it seriously could have injured you!
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  12. davebdave

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    #12 davebdave, Aug 28, 2012
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    Hey Ted, As mentioned before, In your last photo your steering is still dangerous. You need to completely remove the nut and bolt, then slide the steering shaft up the rack spline all the way until you can then re-insert the bolt in the groove. Here are two photos from our car properly installed and in the second you can see the bolt is in the groove. Also is a close-up of a rack spline off of a Jeep to better illustrate the groove between the splines as well as a photo of your rack taken by Bradan when it was out, showing the groove.

    When properly installed, the shaft cannot come off. Our 1966 Fiat is of the same design also.

    Dave
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  13. davebdave

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    #13 davebdave, Aug 28, 2012
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    Ted, not to beleaguer the point but here is your photo with an arrow to where your bolt should be... A lock nut won't hurt but I don't think that was the problem unless the nut was completely off and the bolt fell out.

    Again, you will have to remove the nut and bolt to re-position it.

    Dave

    Edit: Looking more closely, that might be a lock-nut. I would just stick with the original nut and lock-tite, but consulting a pro is not a bad idea. Sorry to go on about this Ted but when I read your post it gave me the chills.
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  14. Valenzo

    Valenzo F1 Veteran

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    #14 Valenzo, Aug 28, 2012
    Thank you very much Dave!! This is very helpful. After reading your post, Ive grounded Valenzo until this weekend and i redo it right. I'll post pics of the job i do. Its scary to think that i drove it this way for 3100 miles.
     
  15. Valenzo

    Valenzo F1 Veteran

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    #15 Valenzo, Aug 28, 2012
    Dave

    Can you show me a picture of yours a little higher up? Is it right to have about 4 inches of spline exposed?

    Higher up as in the shaft going up towards the steering wheel
     
  16. davebdave

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    #16 davebdave, Aug 28, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Yes, Normal. As far as I know that serves at least two purposes, first is to allow removal of the shaft without removing the whole column and second to allow for the tilt adjustment of the steering wheel. May even extend to crash safety and proper u-joint operation.

    Dave
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  17. Steve Magnusson

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    #17 Steve Magnusson, Aug 28, 2012
    Great photos Dave (I saved them ;)) -- the mistake made on Ted's car was not FULLY removing the bolt before sliding the spline sections back together.

    It's really a clever (and safe) design IMO -- when assembled properly ;)
     
  18. radlu

    radlu Formula Junior

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    #18 radlu, Aug 28, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    No, wrong, not EveryBody run out and check your steering column connections
    panic x 5000 million trillion!!!!!! Wrong. Stop.

    That linkage is bullet proof....when assembled correctly. Bullet.. Proof ...x 100

    I just checked mine....seems perfect after 20 years.

    Sounds like something wasn't reassembled correctly in 'your case'. That's not everybody's case, just 'your case'.
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  19. SonomaRik

    SonomaRik F1 Veteran

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    #19 SonomaRik, Aug 28, 2012
    +100, WTF!!!!

    do you suppose it might have been an item 'messed' with during one of the engine out sessions? I mean I know different areas, but you had a ton of stuff done from pedals to 'stuff'.
     
  20. Valenzo

    Valenzo F1 Veteran

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    #20 Valenzo, Aug 28, 2012
    Its possible but i'm not going there... im glad i caught it and it will be fixed. Its seems easy enough.
     
  21. tonyswfla

    tonyswfla Formula Junior
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    #21 tonyswfla, Aug 28, 2012
    ah hem hmmmmm
     
  22. brian.s

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    #22 brian.s, Aug 28, 2012
    Reading through the threads might show up something. Another popcorn here please.........
     
  23. bowbells

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    #23 bowbells, Aug 28, 2012
    Which makes post #2 interesting............
     
  24. yelcab

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    #24 yelcab, Aug 28, 2012
    I really don't think so, but anything can happen I guess.
     
  25. SonomaRik

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    #25 SonomaRik, Aug 28, 2012
    Thankyou, and popcorn aside, I agree might just have been one of those things. Could have been very bad.

    My original was just a 'wondering' that with all kinds of stuff happening could something have been overlooked. We all know that can be the case as we've been there done that.


    Good for Valenzo's catch...another reason we all at times say "did you feel/hear/smell/see THAT!" of course the wife cocks a head slightly towards you and without a word stares like "reeeaaaly?" :) We KNOW every nuance for a reason.
     
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