Steering worm shaft

[Kirkski]

Does anyone have any experience with purchasing a 41.5" steering worm shaft from Walcks?

Looking for quality insight, I have been happy with everything else I bought from them.

I guess finding a good used one is out of the question

[1955CJ-5]

I bought one for the CJ-5...it uses the same shaft. I am happy with it. I think I had to wire brush the splines a little to get the steering wheel to fit, it was just a little tight.

But, finally, after changing all the steering parts and rebuilding the knuckles, the jeep drives as nice as you could want.....

I also bought the worm bearings and cups. Those did not fit. The new cups would not fit through the upper hole in the box nor would they seat in the bottom of the box. I had to "machine" them with a bench grinder little by little and eventually I got a good fit. You might call and ask about those bearing cups if you plan to replace those......I bought mine at least a year ago...

[Kirkski]

I Thank you Randy, it's good to know that the Walcks repop is a decent alternative.

 I was able to get in touch with a local guy that I bought some other parts off of, and he seems to think he may have an original he is going to check.

Otherwise a guy at work says he might be able to fix the threads on my shaft as well, so I will exhaust those opportunities first.

 My Jeep has very few miles on it, like 3500, although really rusted mechanical parts from sitting, body not as bad as most. I don't even think I need to replace my sector shaft, my bearings and races look fine as well.

Am I being short sighted not replacing the sector shaft while I have everything apart?

Thanks again
Kirk

[1955CJ-5]

If the sector shaft looks good I'd keep it....I wish I was able to find my old one...they say you can grind the welds off the little fingers and rotate them 90� and weld them back in, and you are as good as new. If the shaft is OK then bushings should be all you need.

Is your old worm shaft too short? Those threads ought to clean up, and it should be possible to weld an extension in there....you probably would want it done by a certified welder..it's an important part and you don't want it to fail!

[Kirkski]

I think I am going to keep the sector shaft for sure, it's in really good shape, I cannot see or feel any wear on the little pins.

I'll order the bushings and the seal once I have the shaft looked at. Next weekend I work I'll bring it into work to have my friend see what he can do with the threads.

The replacement I bought is 1" shorter, at least I have a path forward now, thanks for your help!