steering column main shaft?

[mafosa]

hey fellas! long story short. i have discovered that last owners had cut n welded my steering shaft closest to the steering box.

now that i know this, i cant keep driving with it likw that.


i have it figured out except at the steering column side. i prefer to take it to a machine shop and have them ad two flats for a ''the double D" u joint.

that main shaft, is it solid or hollow?

anyone else already do this conversion " all ujionts?"


thanks inadvance!

larry (65 c10)

[mafosa]

also.. where can i get all the rebuild parts for my automatic steering coulmn assembly?
my upper bearings new. i need the lower bearing assembly and any other consumables ( ie. clips, seals and etc.)?


larry

[chevy_mike]

Can't help you on parts but the shaft is solid and can be machined for flats, to do a double D joint. I have cut and welded a few of them.

[oldusafmsgt]

Nothing wrong with a cut and welded steering shaft, very common on power steering conversions. As long as it has been welded correctly.

[padresag]

As long as it has been welded correctly.

there are those words a persons life can depend upon
ron

[vince1]

I used a bushing instead of the lower bearing. Got it at Classic Industries. For U joints and stuff try Borgeson.

[Lugnutz65]

You can go several directions.

I recommend upgrading to the safer telescoping sleeve.

Option 1 - Install a new rag joint and telescoping lower sleeve. Then have the lower section of your original steering shaft milled down to a DD so it slips inside the sleeve. Do not weld the steering shaft to the sleeve. It needs to telescope freely if something hits the gear box.

Option 2 - Upgrade to PS and use an intermediate DD shaft and a universal joint. First install your PS gear box to the frame. Then install a new rag joint and lower telescoping sleeve. Buy a DD shaped intermediate rod and a DD/DD shaped U-joint. Cut the factory shaft to the right length and have the end milled to a DD shape to connect to the U-joint. I used a U-joint with a through bolt connection, so the intermediate shaft and original shaft needed to have a hole drilled. Welding the U-joint to the intermediate and upper shaft is also an option but it MUST be done right.

I'm sure other options exist, but the ones above cover the basics.

When I converted to PS, I decided to move my SW a few inches closer to the dash for a more comfortable arm position. So my lower column (inside the engine bay) will look different than a stock column.

My PS upgrade included the safer lower sleeve that telescopes if a direct impact should occur.

The Captainfab PS bracket is great. However, it does move the steering gear box away from the frame. I feel the best solution is to install at least one U-joint.

So besides moving my column forward (optional), I used a telescoping DD lower sleeve, a DD intermediate steering rod, a U-joint, and had my original shaft cut to the right length and machined to a DD on the end.
The U-joint has "through bolts" but could be welded too.

LINK to my DIY

Here are links to some parts.

Lower sleeve

Lower sleeve WITH new rag joint

Some pics of my mod.

[Lugnutz65]

More pics.

[mafosa]

lugnutz65. thats some great info. i will do that telescopic middle shaft.

i found a custom lower bearing for out trucks on ebay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1959-64-Chev...lRfp92&vxp=mtr also found a van tilt while i was there. ill rebuild it all to incluse that telescopic shaft.

[mafosa]

pic. added for bad link one day.