I have an obstruction in my steering column shaft (1951) where the horn wire goes. Pretty sure it is part of the original horn wire stuck in there from many years ago.

The obstruction is located about 12" from the bottom of the shaft, and about 24" from the top. So it's impossible to see inside exactly what is stuck in there. There is nothing visible at either end. I tried various thin rods and poking implements to try to push it upwards and also downwards. Whatever it is it won't budge but I haven't really whaled on it for fear of breaking something and making matters worse.

My steering is fully assembled on the truck so I can't do anything on a bench.

Has anyone ever found a way to clear that sort of thing out?

Tom

 

I'd weld a drill bit onto a steel rod and be very gentle with it.

 

I had the same problem when I redid the horn wiring.

I used my shop vac to suck the debris out the top. Maybe I was lucky, but it worked.

I think the debris was the original connector from the top of the horn wir. The PO just pulled it out of the column through the bottom, and it's too big to pass through the hole.

Good luck!

 

Tom ,if you still have the 2 ends have a helper work with you & gently try to work the wire back & forth . Also may try to squirt some lac. thinner down the shaft to losen up any debris .

If you don't get it out by the middle of next week you will have plenty to do when your restored '51 Magic Air heater system arrives .Happy Installing !!!!

 

There is a step in the tube at the bottom end, where the tube attached to the end plate slides inside the main tube (upper section). So you will have better luck pulling out the top than out the bottom.

 

Air pressure can work wonders for clearing obstructions. Might want to try it from the bottom.

 

OK, so do both... air pressure from the bottom and suction at the top.

 

Push a stiff wire up from the bottom
had a old piece of tape holding the wire in the tube

Joe

 

Thanks for all the suggestions.
I'll try to get it out by pushing upwards.

Denny - I don't have any wire to pull from at either end, it is a blind obstruction.
Aussie, I don't have access to a welder.
I sort of have caveman tools only.

I do have a potato cannon though. Maybe I'll put a spray blast of Aquanet up in the steering shaft, touch it off and blow it out the top that way. Works good for flinging potatoes into the next neighborhood over.

Thanks again all, Tom

 

First I'd do is get yer ol'cutting torch out...........




If you hear "hold my beer"... That's a bad thing..

 

You know, they make long, reasonably stiff brazing rods that might help loosen what is in there. They're flexible enough to make the bend under the truck, I believe. This, if you don't have air or a steel rod small enough.

 

Thanks Ray,
I might be able to locate a long brazing rod at the Tractor Supply.
I do have an air compressor, but I feel that I might have jammed whatever is in there in too tight for that by trying to push downward to get it out. It was certainly easier to work from the top. Access from the bottom (without a car lift) isn't easy but I'll give it a whirl when this rain ends.

Tom

 

I wonder if using an electrical "fish tape" would work from the bottom. They're strong and flexible. Usually used for pulling wires.
https://www.acwholesalers.com/Klein-...FS8OOgodhyQALQ

 

George, thanks for the link but it may be too flexible to have real pushing power. Whatever is jammed in there will require something pretty stout to ram it out. Blasting powder isn't out of the question.
It is likely I made matters worse by attempting to push down to dislodge it.

Tom

 

The support wires used on drop ceilings are very stiff, and if you have access to a hammer drill, it may do the job?, they are flexible enough to use under the truck without a lift, and you may even be able to hammer a cutting edge on the end of it using a hammer and anvil, floor, etc. Another option may be a long drill bit which
we used when installing phone wire, they came 18" or 36"long, in some pretty thin diameters, if the obstruction is 12"from the bottom like you mentioned. There has been a lot of good suggestions, maybe a combination of them may work, good luck.