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1975 Steering Columm Tube Repair

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by johneyboy03, Jul 14, 2016.

  1. Jul 14, 2016
    johneyboy03

    johneyboy03 The green beast

    Quebec, Canada
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    So yesterday i came back from the ice cream with GF and when i got home i start feel some loose on the steering columm.

    Don't take so much time to put the finger on the problem.
    Steering columm tube is breaking in two. Have almost a full circle crack.
    The tube wall is very thin, some rust so it will be difficult to weld.

    So i'm an electrical, plumbing supplier so i start to look for a new tube. Finaly found that a 1 1/2" emt pipe is almost the same od as Oem one. I use a galiper to mesure the O.D. and i got for the oem tube a 1.5120" and for the emt pipe 1.5116" so difference is really minor.

    Only thing (a good thing for me), the emt pipe is galvanise and the I.D. is a little smaller than the oem steering tube. So i will use a flap wheel to gring the interior to the dimension of the two bushing that goes inside it. The good thing, the wall of emt is thicker than oem tube so it will be more HD and with the galvanise i wont ever have problem with the rust issus.

    here some picture of the damage tube and the emt pipe i will be using.

    IMG_2602.JPG
    Off course i will paint the emt pipe black.

    IMG_2603.JPG


    Will come back with more picture to show you the final result.
     
    Jeeper Dave likes this.
  2. Jul 14, 2016
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Huh. Never heard of a column breaking like that.
     
  3. Jul 14, 2016
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    Don't weld on that Galvanized pipe............poison fumes.
     
  4. Jul 14, 2016
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    Usually the tube breaks free from the dash mounting bracket first but typically that type of break on these columns is from people using the steering wheel to pull themselves into the Jeep. I've seen it happen to lots of these columns.
     
  5. Jul 14, 2016
    johneyboy03

    johneyboy03 The green beast

    Quebec, Canada
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    Seem it happen to me, there was some rust and i may have cause the issu the way nickmil describe.


    Yeah i know, but i don't need any welding on this one, just need to dig a hole for the horn electrical device.
     
  6. Jul 14, 2016
    johneyboy03

    johneyboy03 The green beast

    Quebec, Canada
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    So just finish on lunch time the new tube for the steering columm.

    Pretty easy to fix, big deal is to cut the a square in the tube for the horn connector. With a dremel and a small cuting disk job went right.

    So everything is ready to be back in the jeep

    IMG_2607.JPG


    Also i had problem before with the clamp at the bottom of the steering columm, it was moving up and down, i had difficult to tight it enough, so i drill a hole and weld a nut, pass a bolt trought it and i hope it will fix the issué

    IMG_2609.JPG
     
  7. Jul 14, 2016
    aallison

    aallison 74 cj6, 76 cj5. Has anyone seen my screwdriver?

    Green Cove...
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    That looks like a fantastic idea and an easy fix. How hard would it be to shorten the column since a lot of us have extra fluff the wheel seems to hit us in the fluff?
     
    heavychevy likes this.
  8. Jul 14, 2016
    johneyboy03

    johneyboy03 The green beast

    Quebec, Canada
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    The big problem on this is not to get the columm tube sharter, bt the steering shaft itself, it as spline on one end and on the other there is thread for the steering wheel nut...
     
  9. Jul 15, 2016
    johneyboy03

    johneyboy03 The green beast

    Quebec, Canada
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    So job is done, perfect fit :)

    IMG_2612.JPG
     
  10. Jul 15, 2016
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    I love creative repair alternatives...Well done. (y)
     
  11. Jul 15, 2016
    johneyboy03

    johneyboy03 The green beast

    Quebec, Canada
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    Yes, me too that's the thing i like the most about modifing thing, specialy when it make you same a few buck. Total cost for that repair is around 6$ :)
     
  12. Jul 15, 2016
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    Question... Isn't your steering wheel flipped over wrong?
     
  13. Jul 15, 2016
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
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    If you can dream it, you can build it. Easy to weld on galvanized if you do a little grinding to take off the top coating where you are going to weld and have good ventilation.
     
  14. Jul 15, 2016
    johneyboy03

    johneyboy03 The green beast

    Quebec, Canada
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    Now you're telling me that, it make sense, since i bought it was this way but it's more logic if i flip it.

    There was no need to weld anything on this pipe, but yes if you grind off the galvanise plating it's pretty easy to weld
     
  15. Aug 28, 2016
    Jeeper Dave

    Jeeper Dave New Member

    Washington State
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    This is why I love this forum! :D A few weeks ago I noticed a bit of a wobble in the column in my '75 and found it to be broken the exact same way as yours. I suspect a vertically challenged previous owner is the culprit...:rolleyes: Any tips for a fellow jeeper who's looking to follow your lead would be thoroughly appreciated. Thanks.
     
  16. Aug 29, 2016
    johneyboy03

    johneyboy03 The green beast

    Quebec, Canada
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    Just find a electrical supply store and ask for 1 1/2" emt pipe. From that cut it to the right lenght, grind a little the I.D. to make bearing fit in and the work will be done :)
     
    Rick Whitson and Jeeper Dave like this.
  17. Aug 29, 2016
    Jeeper Dave

    Jeeper Dave New Member

    Washington State
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    Thanks a bunch. Nice job btw!
     
  18. Aug 29, 2016
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    You realize the upper mount (at the dash) is welded or crimped to the tube from the factory, right? If yours is not that could be part of the reason for the failure in the first place.
     
  19. Aug 29, 2016
    Jeeper Dave

    Jeeper Dave New Member

    Washington State
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    That makes sense. My column was welded (two or three small beads) to the inside of my dash mount, and when it broke the now lower portion of my column was still attached to the mount itself and my movement was coming from the section of tubing going from the mount to my steering wheel. It was broken in two right where the bracket fits over the tube.
     
  20. Aug 30, 2016
    74CJ5 Renegade

    74CJ5 Renegade Member

    Houston, TX
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    What did you do for the lower bushing? I am wondering if it is the same as the setup on my 74.... thank you
     
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