Body lift issue?

Hey guys finally got round to installing my home made body lift blocks. Its only a 2 inch body lift so i thought it would all go well until it pulled out the steering shaft





I thought you only had problems with the shaft being too short if you lifted the body more than 2 inches

Heres the lift blocks i made. Made them from an 2inch o/d shaft from a really old piece of machinery thats being scrapped at work. Cut into 2 inch lengths then an 10.5mm hole drilled through






So....... Anyone else had this problem with a 2 inch body lift?
And anyone know what this shaft is made from? If its steel i guess i could cut it and weld a bit in?

Any help greatly appreciated

Stick a magnet to the shaft if its steel it'll stick (landrover won't use any fancy magnetic alloys I'd have thought)

Dr_evil said:

Stick a magnet to the shaft if its steel it'll stick (landrover won't use any fancy magnetic alloys I'd have thought)

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Just found a magnet its not steel poo.

Any ideas?

Is it metal ?


If its not steel and it looks a kind of off silver colour then I would hazard a guess at aluminium

My guess is aluminium too it is quite light. Could always get my mate to bring his portable tig set if worse comes to worse

I take it the steering assembly isnt adjustable anywhere else?

No idea, I thought you got given a longer uj or something with a kit though so maybe that'd fix it

Dr_evil said:

No idea, I thought you got given a longer uj or something with a kit though so maybe that'd fix it

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Not that i know of? I thought the shaft was long enough for 2 inch lift. It was just any higher you start getting problems. At least thats what i think i read

We did a mates body lift last weekend and it was fine splines slipped out about 10mm

The body hasn't shifted back on the chassis at all has it?

He did lift and move it so could be

robbh said:

Not that i know of? I thought the shaft was long enough for 2 inch lift. It was just any higher you start getting problems. At least thats what i think i read

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ive got a 5" lift on mine never even touched the steering shaft

Matt Baxter said:

We did a mates body lift last weekend and it was fine splines slipped out about 10mm

The body hasn't shifted back on the chassis at all has it?

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Could of the body was lifted off completely last weekend and put on my new chassis. But all the holes line up nicely

I shall get the crane out again and see if i can move it forward

Just undone all the bolts and got the crane to take the weight of the body again it went forward slightly but not enough to connect the splines up on the shaft although the shaft is now touching the end

Anyone know if you can get a longer shaft? Or maybe a longer uj? Or got anymore ideas before i start hurling abuse at it and breaking things with a hammer:violent:

Have you double checked everything else? All i have read suggests 2" wont have any problems :s well hope so when i come to do mine

Is there any movement on the other end of the spline shaft?

Ive triple checked everything so far all body mounts are nice and square and line up properly.
Took all the bolts out completely lifted body off again and dropped it back down and its still the same

There could be movement in the other splined parts of the shaft but id have to grind a part back flat to be able to refit the bolt.

Just took a couple of pics.

Steering box end:



Bulkhead side:



Dont think id get away with moving on the steering box side but could get some adjustment on the bulkhead side. What do you think?

Just got the magnet out again and the part of the steering shaft that comes through the bulkhead is made from steel so that bit is weld able.

Anyone know how easy it is to remove that part of the steering assembly?

id think about welding steering shaft ,can be an issue with insurance and if your unlucky in amn accident (modifying safety critical item ) you normally fit longer uj

jamesmartin said:

id think about welding steering shaft ,can be an issue with insurance and if your unlucky in amn accident (modifying safety critical item ) you normally fit longer uj

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Good point. Wont bother with that than any idea where to get a longer uj from?

there are several different ujs all fit shaft wise but length varies ,cant think of exact one off the top of my head at moment

Just been doing some reading/research apparently the defender steering shaft is longer. Anyone know if this is true? Or if youve got a Defender can you measure your shaft, steering shaft that is