First gen steering wheel clunk FIX

Good point, but I think that's why it's a tack weld and not a bead weld mod - same with a roll pin - it won't hold up under a huge impact as far as I know?

 

Roll pin is made to sheer if necessary. Compare the amount of steel used in a weld compared to a roll pin thickness.

 

I put a roll pin in mine like some others have stated. I do have access to a welder and can weld but don't trust a spot weld. I'd hate to have a steering wheel pushed through my chest in a crash. Lol

 

You said you used existing holes for the roll pin, where did you get the roll pin from? What size? Do you just hammer it into the hole?

 

I was more concerned about my mental health listening to that rattle.

 

Home depot it was 1/8 inch if i remeber correctly. It was just a touch bigger then original holes.
Notice the two dots on the flat part of shaft. One already has my roll pin in it. I had to drill it out just a little bit. I used an drill bit the same size as roll pin. Almost positive it was 1/8 inch. I had to grind the excess off after i installed it.

 

I just used two 1/4" self tapping screws, slightly off-set and 180° from each other. Worked great, one of the first mods I've done on my truck.

 

1st gens, slip joint and safety, IMO.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/i-pulled-my-shaft-today.477058/#post-14489459

Roll pin specs, hole size shear etc.
Note that an 1/8" standard carbon steel roll pin has a minimum double shear of almost 1 ton.

 

does the column still need to come out to access this or can you get to it while still in? any pic of where it's at?

 

Read this first for inspiration then go to the beginning.

 

Have to pull shaft out. Read post link above.
Note post #43 in that link.

 

yeah, I read the post. this is on the "to-do" list when I get time and space.

 

and as I stated in another thread, the entire engine would literally have to come through the firewall before the steering column would compress. unless you got hit driver's side fender, but even then the undercarriage would get pushed in

 

It's usually not the column being pushed toward you
It's the driver pushing the column away with there chest and air bag explosion force.
It's design is like a crumple zone to absorb impact force.

 

Well I certainly don't think my body would create 1 ton of force (enough to break said roll pin) in an impact before I turn into a gooey mess.

 

What kind of self tapping screws? How long were they? Where'd you get them?

 

It takes 1090lbs of force for a double shear of a carbon steel 1/8 roll pin. From all my research the home depot roll pins are even softer. Thus lowering the force needed for a double shear.

 

someone needs to see how much force it takes for the shaft to crumple without anything extra done to it. I bet it's still a lot.

 

I vould probably find out what GMs shaft is rated at. I'll post my findings later

 

It's been so long I honestly couldn't tell you. But if I were to guess, they were 1/4"X 1/2" Phillips pan head. And bought at an Ace Hardware or True Value.