steering column help

[Clyde65]

I recently got an automatic steering column for my 65, it is also from a 65. the thing is the shaft has been cut about 8" down from the end of the column. I know I need to rebuild it and paint but dont want to waste my time if it isnt salvageable, I got it for free so if it is worthless then that is ok.

I need all the parts for my column, its all nasty bad, who do you all use?

[markeb01]

I don't have any first hand experience disassembling one of these, but if your intention is to restore the automatic column to service, I would take the damaged column apart, photo the various pieces as they come out, while looking for any other internal problems it may have. Once that column is apart you should have enough knowledge to know whether you can rob the good shaft from the stick shift column, and swap everything together into the automatic column you’re after. If the project fails, you're not out anything but the time it took to learn more about how they are assembled.

Perhaps information in the following threads may provide some additional insight:

Lakeroadster's build thread beginning with post # 100:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...bearing&page=4

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...tomatic+column

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

I recently got an automatic steering column for my 65, it is also from a 65. the thing is the shaft has been cut about 8" down from the end of the column. I know I need to rebuild it and paint but dont want to waste my time if it isnt salvageable, I got it for free so if it is worthless then that is ok.

Sweet! Free is good!

I assume you mean the steering column shaft was cut off and there is no rag joint.

If you want to take it back to stock you can simply get another steering column shaft. I agree with Mark's comments above. Strip them both down, figure out what you need, and go from there.

I got a lot of telephone / email advice and the parts I needed for my column rebuild from Tony Smith, here is his contact data:

Tony Smith
4-5-6 Chevy Trucks
560 South 11th Street
Kansas City, KS 66105
913-207-7789
4-5-6chevytrucks@sbcglobal.net

[Clyde65]

Right, free is always good.

Yes the shaft was cut, it is somewhat complete other than the turn signal switch has been butchered, but everything else looks to be there, it will definately need new bearings/bushings on both ends too.

I will make time this weekend to tear it down and paint some stuff. I presently have a 80's model truck column in my truck and I would like to put this one in so it would look somewhat original, only better.

I see that the later column shaft is different and the column itself is longer so I dont know what I could use from it but maybe a few parts can be swapped in, we will see. I noticed that Borgeson Universal sells a swivel joint that might fit but man are they proud of them! I may use that, we will see.

Thanks for your input guys, anything else you can think of let me know.

I will contact Tony but I also read some bad stuff about him on this forum, I dont usually pay attention to the skuttle butt however if what they say is true, I really dont want to do business with him. I will contact him though and see what kind of info he has for me.

[Clyde65]

Ttt

[Captainfab]

As far as I know the shafts between those two columns should be the same.