Steering propeller shaft rebuilding source needed.

[dtcerrato]

Can't seem to find a source for rebuilding a sloppy slip spline on a steering propeller shaft on our GM 4104. Drive line garages don't want to touch it due to "liability". Maybe I should have left the word "steering" out but the drive line garages claim they know when it's a steering component. Maybe I'm reading too much into the small play or "slop" I see in the shaft (slip spline), it probably wouldn't ever fail but it could delete some of the steering free play. Anyone ever deal with similar issue on their vintage bus? Comments, sources welcomed. The part numbers go no where. A used unit would probably be the same. Any info would be appreciated.

[luvrbus]

It's just a PTO shaft I had a place in Oregon make me 1 for a 4106,when I get time I will find the name it was in Eugene I recall ,I have used sheets of shim stock to remove play from those too lol getting the right thickness of shim stock can be a battle  ,they fall between 0.001 and 0.005 the ones I did,You can also have those coated,I never tried the method but they heat the shaft and dip it to a hard plastic or Teflon I don't which
 

[chessie4905]

Common shaft. We replaced the one in our 4104 several years ago with one from an nos army jeep driveshaft. Drop in fit. Any good driveshaft shop should be able to fix you up.

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

Call Straight Line Steering in San Jose.  They have rebuilt sloppy steering boxes for several bus nuts.  They may not be able to tackle this but they should know who to call.  Ask for Mark at 408 289 9850.

[chessie4905]

Here's a source:   http://phoenixrackandaxle.com/our-products.php

[dtcerrato]

Thanks for the info

[chessie4905]

If you give them or another supplier or rebuild/repair place, the u-joint cap diameters and cross width,and center to center of opposite caps in actual length in operating position, they should easily supply you a shaft with slip joint.
OR, you can just call Luke.

[RJ]

Dan -

There was a fellow busnut friend of mine (now passed away), who owned a 4104 and lived in Hanford, CA (40 min SW of Fresno.) He had the same issue as you are.  Driveshaft shop wouldn't touch it, same excuse: "liability."

He ended up taking it in to the John Deer Tractor dealer in Fresno and told the parts guy it was "the prop shaft that drives the mower I pull behind my tractor."  Parts guy took a look, disappeared into the bowels of the building and came back with a JD part that was the same length, but with a slightly larger diameter shaft.  Some new u-joints and my friend was back in business.

Sometimes you've gotta think outside the box a little!

FWIW & HTH. . .