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Steering Column Split

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by DanStew, May 30, 2021.

  1. May 30, 2021
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    So how does this even happen? I got my steering column it of storage so i can tear it down to prepare me to cut it for my sagninaw conv split1.jpeg ersion. I noticed it is split dearly all the way down. I know it is 70 some years old, but it is an interesting crack i have not seen before
     
    DanStew, May 30, 2021
    #1
  2. May 30, 2021
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    split2.jpeg
     
    DanStew, May 30, 2021
    #2
  3. May 30, 2021
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    split3.jpeg
     
    DanStew, May 30, 2021
    #3
  4. May 30, 2021
    Jw60

    Jw60 Cool school 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    Ice ice baby?
     
    Jw60, May 30, 2021
    #4
  5. May 31, 2021
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    I looks like thats the way it was made. Personally, I would sell the column shift steering box and cut up a regular steering box.
     
    garage gnome, May 31, 2021
    #5
  6. May 31, 2021
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    x2
     
    Howard Eisenhauer, May 31, 2021
    #6
  7. May 31, 2021
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    Is it a different type box than a floor shift? I know the Jeep had was a column shift, but the column only has the bracket up top and nothing else except for the side shift transmission left when i got it. If the steering box i particular to a column shift I am all for finding a new home for it
     
    DanStew, May 31, 2021
    #7
  8. May 31, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    I assume that is a seam from the manufacturing. Any chance it froze with water in the tube?
     
    PeteL, May 31, 2021
    #8
  9. May 31, 2021
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    I dont think it is factory. i think it just split. could have been ice, i am not sure. but it is not split in some places, but that is the minority. It is almost all the way down
     
    DanStew, May 31, 2021
    #9
  10. May 31, 2021
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    My guess is that is the seam that split open on the tubing. Back in '46, maybe the ERW (electric resistance welding) wasn't a perfected process. If it weren't for the upper shifter bracket and the bottom flange, it would likely be split the whole length.
    There may still be a vendor or two offering a replacement outer tube on eBay.
    -Donny
     
    Keys5a, May 31, 2021
    #10
  11. May 31, 2021
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    They make the tubes, and they are cheap so i will be getting a replacement. Is there anything else that is "Column Shift" on this? Or can i remove the box and cut my worm gear shaft so i can do my saginaw upgrade
     
    DanStew, May 31, 2021
    #11
  12. May 31, 2021
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    I think the actual box is different. But that just un bolts.
     
    garage gnome, May 31, 2021
    #12
  13. May 31, 2021
    CHUGALUG

    CHUGALUG Member

    Silverton, OR
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    A nice column up grade would be to one of the Hot Rod columns made by Ididit that look just like a stock column though they would require and aftermarket wheel or an adapter.

    Speedway Motor sells them as does Summit Racing https://www.summitracing.com/parts/idt-1012360010

    Much better bearings and easier to adapt to a Saginaw conversion
     
    CHUGALUG, May 31, 2021
    #13
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