Steering - lower ujoint coming loose

[woof]

I'm having an issue with the lower u-joint staying tight (steering column to rack). I really have to crank the bolt down that holds it to the rack. Once it's nice and tight, no steering slop. It's great for a few minutes but is coming loose after a few minutes of driving. It loosens enough that I have maybe 1/4" of play at the wheel. Crank it down again, and I’m fine for a few minutes.

There's no split lock washer on it.

What should I do here? Add a locking washer, put a jam nut on the other side, use some medium Loctite?  

 

Thanks!

[zKars]

Yes it’s suppose to have a lock washer, but I believe your problem is stripped threads. You snug it but it pops free. I cannot imagine a scenario that would loosen that bolt. There is little force on it other than the clamping force around the splines.  At least adding a washer, will position the threads in a new place and maybe it will snug up and stay that way.   M10x1.25 thread if you want to get a new one. 

I’m also concerned about the 1/4 of play, the splines shouldn’t allow ANY play just because clamp bolt is loose. I guess it could be pried open way too far? Do the splines slip on super sloppy when you assemble it? Usually its a real snug fit. 

[woof]

hmm, I hadn't considered that it might be popping threads - I just thought it was turning out.  I'll go pick up a new bolt (and washer!) and see what I can see.

[woof]

Ah bugger.  No wonder it didn't want to come out.  I was thinking it was somehow captive.  Turns out there IS a lock washer, I just couldn't see it.  Hopefully the threads on the ujoint are ok.

 

 

 

 

[woof]

Yep, threads are bad on the ujoint.  Going to run a tap through it and see if I can save it.

[siteunseen]

Tap and larger bolt or uni-coil might save it. You shouldn't have any problem getting one from someone on here if you need another one. Let us know, I've got a few somewhere. I can see them in a coffee can in my mind but... 

 

[woof]

Haha I’ve got a 10x1.25 tap somewhere too.  I spent 30 minutes looking for it, could NOT find it.   Went and bought a new tap and handle (couldn’t find the handle either.  Moved things around to reach it better, and found the *real* problem.

 

I had a new rack installed (old one was sloppy in the middle but solid on the outside, that’s now resolved).  But the shop I took it to installed the ujoint one spline off, so the cutout on the shaft was sticking out into the bolts path, and stripped the bolt when it went in.  I’ve called the shop, they are going to make it right.