Rick Ammazzini

With of the talk about intermediate steering shafts failing I have been keeping and eye out at the scrap yard for a minty hhr with a good steering shaft incase mine fails. Luckily so far it hasn't but I lucked out and found one a grabbed one just in case.

So the steering shaft was in my shed for months just waiting to be placed into action.
Here is where the story gets interesting. A few weeks ago I noticed my washing mechkng was leaking, being curious and somewhat mechanically inclined I started ripping the washing machine apart and discovered the inlet hose was cracked where meets the tub. So I decided I could change it myself and so I did.
So now I was left with a very good think piece of rubber hose that would be a shame to just throw away. So I started racking my brain on what I could repurpose the hose for and I came up with this.

Of course I will need hose clamps to seal off the ends but I think this is a very viable idea on keeping dirt off the u joint in the shaft..

RJ_RS_SS_350

Your pics weren't showing, but when I went to fix them, they fixed themselves. I deleted the link because it was showing all the pics in that album.

Interesting idea, not sure what all that flexing would do to the rubber, but it might work. How close to hot components would the rubber be?

Rick Ammazzini

The hose is really thick rubber and it's made to with stand the shaking of the spin cycle of the washing machine. In terms of flexing I don't think there is a whole lot of flexing going in the ujoint. I just allows an angle turning motion.

In​​​​​In respect to proximity to hot components, I don't think it's close enough to be of concern. It's pretty close to inner tie rod boot...

Oldblue

The shaft slip joint is inside the cabin above the brake pedal , so not much dirt gets in there, the lower yoke and u-joint is below the master cylinder, right beside the exhaust near the flex pipe.
More prone to moisture

Rick Ammazzini

Exactly. That's what I intend to protect with the rubber hose.

donbrew

And dripping (corrosive) brake fluid.

Oldblue

Thanks image repaired

Blue_SS

I like the idea. It is quite McGyver-like, and something I do see from Canadians more than Americans. Try it out.

Just make sure doesn't burn, or bind your steering up. You should be good, unless moisture collects inside. Then you might need a drain..