The past few weeks I've been replacing the steering components on my 01D2 (235k miles). The steering box "exploded" so I replaced it and went ahead and ordered a new lower steering column from Lucky 8 (part QME500060) while I was in there. After attaching the shaft to the steering box with no issue, I then proceeded to attach the shaft to the upper steering column (made sure the securing bolt was in the groove of the splines). I torqued the bolt to 18lbf.ft (per Rave pg. 57-46). I got in the car and turned the wheel and the splines connecting the column to the upper column immediately disengaged. I tightened the torx bolt further and tried again. This time it bit, but once I reached a full stop on the wheel i was able to again disengage the splines with just a little pressure. I tried to tighten the torx bolt even more and broke the bolt. I notified Lucky 8 and they sent a replacement under warranty. I have a spare upper steering column so I tried the new column on that and was again able to easily disengage he column (see attached video).

Am I doing something wrong or is this a manufacturing defect on the part?

 

Probably a garbage aftermarket part. For such a critical part I would get a good used OE steering shaft from Will Tillery, Goldwing, etc….

 

I had same issue with LK8 steering shaft...POS.... Had to use a hardened through bolt and nut.....ended up getting an OEM one....

 

That's screwed up, on something that's a critical safety component.. I'd throw that in the bin for sure or get a refund and get genuine somehow. Very odd.

The only thing I can think is that the diameters are a bit off. Your male piece / upper shaft is not damaged or worn down in any way is it? .

 

100% agree on the safety issue. If I hadn’t needed to bleed the power steering system I easily could have tried to drive off and lost steering. On the upper shaft currently in the D2, three of the splines are laid over but everything else looks good. On the spare upper shaft (one from the video), everything looks perfect. I reinstalled the old lower shaft (the one I was trying to replace) and it fits perfect.

 

Not only is it a POS, it’s a bad design. The bolt for the lower u joint to steering box is perpendicular to the bolt for the sliding shaft making you have to go out of your way to tighten. Think I’ll go OEM like you all are suggesting. Thanks for the input.

 

glad you got it figured out and very glad it was before you got it on the road.

have you tried calling O'Brien Performance in Tulsa? David, the owner, has several D2s sitting in the lot that he may sell parts from.


have these issues with the new part been reported to Lucky8?

 

Thanks for the tip on O’Brien. I haven’t called him but have talked to him in the past on other rovers. Super nice guy.

LK8 knows about the first failed column and sent the second one under warranty. I’ll be calling them on the second one today and asking for a refund.