Is the output shaft on a Saginaw steering box replaceable?

I had a little mishap on the trail this weekend. The flexing of the Jeep pulled the steering shaft away from the steering box. We were unable to get it back on all the way and as a result of the trail fix, with a ratchet strap to hold in on, the splines are stripped.

So this needs to be replaced. Can I take apart the steering box and just replace that shaft? If so does anyone have a source for that part? It's a Saginaw power steering box.

I'd like to replace it with a shaft that has more meat on the spline and also use a slip yoke type of shaft so next time when it flexes it can travel in and out like a drive shaft does.
View attachment 11299

 

the shaft is replaceable. however, there is also another shaft that is matched to it kind of like a ring and pinion. were to get them is a good question. the easiest way would be to replace the whole box, thou. rough guess the shafts would probably cost 1/2 to 2/3 a re-maned box, not count the time consumption to rebuild the box. IMHO.

 

I'm not having any luck finding parts on the internet. I think what I need is just a sector shaft kit. Here's a picture of my power steering box. It's a 4 bolt style mount.
View attachment 11305
Large numbers on top: 5691676 and a 25
Tiny numbers on top by the adjustment nut: 5686555
Large "6" or "9" on the bottom

 

personally, I would make a trip to the boneyard and get another box.
lots of parts inside one of those boxes, easy to make a mistake
but,it's your Jeep.
do you currently have a bell coupler or rag joint at the box ?
you will need slip some where for the flex, as you found out.

 

I'm not really familiar with the terminology, but right after the female end of the spline that slips over the shaft and is tightened with a nut & bolt, there is a u-joint (bell coupler?) and another one closer to the floor board. It's between these two joints that I'd like to have some type of slip joint for flex.

 

here's a couple of pics that might help
both mount on the stub/input shaft at the box
some steering conversions may not have enough room for clearance to run either one of these without hitting the crossmember.
McRuff was making short stub shafts to extend the input shaft length, then one of these would install.
choice is up to you
I prefer the bell coupler; that's what I use.
the rag joint is really old tire strips riveted together
please note the use of either requires the use of the proper lower shaft
this means you may have to make mods to your lower steering shaft to adapt to either device you choose

 

forgot to mention that manual and power use different size shaft diameter at the box; you would need to use components for power steering, not manual

 

Mike,
Try calling Howe Performance. They are just down the road in lakeside.
http://www.howeperformance.com/rock_crawling.php

 

Okay, I see the bell joint (10.740). I don't have that. I also don't have a rag joiint - I know the kind you mean, I have on on my dune buggy.
So mine's probably been pieced together somewhere along the way. I guess a lot can change on a Jeep over 60 years.

Thanks for the link Phil. I'll see if I can find another sector shaft or steering box and I'll see if Howe can help me put together a new steering shaft.

 

Later model steering shafts from Wranglers and Cherokees utilize a slip-shaft setup. The Cherokee isn't long enuf for a flat fender but the Wrangler works fine. It goes from about 21" to 38" I believe. I don't know if the splined ends will fit the end of you sector shaft or the end of the steering column.

 

If you have a local Pull-a-Part wrecking yard, you can find one cheap. There are probably 1000 differant configurations and ratios in saganaw boxes. Worth the time to look around, might even find a spare along the way. I would count the turns on the box you have and start from there if you like that ratio.

 

This might be helpful.

http://stores.ebay.com/Lares-Manufacturing_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm