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As fate would have it, the ESL in my 2012 C250 failed in the locked position so I've removed it and will be replacing it with an ESL emulator. The removal of the upper steering column took about 20 minutes, and after I was finally able to remove the defective ESL from the upper steering column, I replaced it with the emulator. Now, I'm in the process of reinstalling the upper steering column and I'm having difficulty inserting the steering column shaft into the lower steering column u-joint connector. I know that I need to spread the u-joint connector, but I can't find any type of tool that will do it. I've tried using a large screwdriver, but it gets in the way, and I've tried using a chisel in the same fashion, but it won't stay in place.
So my question is...does anyone know of a tool, or a process, that I can use to spread the u-joint connector so that the upper steering column shaft will slip into the joint? Any assistance is appreciated. Here is a photo of the steering column shaft partially inserted (1/16th") into the u-joint connector. This is driving me crazy!
Ah, I rememeber that...consider checking youtube, I think I did mine with brute force...
You have to make sure it goes in right otherwise stuff is off
Yup...I think I've looked at 100 YouTube videos and none of them show how to reinsert the shaft into the u-joint. I've tried brute force (Read: hammer) but no joy!
Ah, I rememeber that...consider checking youtube, I think I did mine with brute force...
You have to make sure it goes in right otherwise stuff is off
By the way, did you bolt in the upper column first, or did you insert it into the u-joint, tighten the securing screw, and then bolt in the upper column?
Hi, not sure if I understand your problem correctly, but if you mean the U-Joint does not stay straight as you lower it down but falls off centre, now its tip is not lined up correctly-?
If so I would try:
1-A stiff grease.
2-A bit of hot glue(Gluegun) holding it in place.
Hi, not sure if I understand your problem correctly, but if you mean the U-Joint does not stay straight as you lower it down but falls off centre, now its tip is not lined up correctly-?
If so I would try:
1-A stiff grease.
2-A bit of hot glue(Gluegun) holding it in place.
The u-joint moves around when I try to spread the connection portion of the joint. I plan to use a c-clamp to push a wedge into the split on the connection point and then I should be able to easily slide the upper shaft into the connector.
02-04-2022, 12:42 PM
