Update on Benchwork steering conversion
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
Well, all I can say is to bite the bullet and undertake the retrofit.
I believe it is not beyond your ability. I mean, ya own an old rig that requires tinkering...Consider it as part of ownership. These aren't toasters!!
I believe it is not beyond your ability. I mean, ya own an old rig that requires tinkering...Consider it as part of ownership. These aren't toasters!!
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 475
Cutting a steering intermediate shaft on a steering conversion is a pretty standard procedure when doing a non factory conversion. Don't go to a regular mechanic, find a hot rod shop, or someone with a hacksaw and a welder. Cut, bevel, align with a piece of angle iron, weld 'er up. Not that big of a deal.
A couple of their conversions state clearly cutting and welding is needed, so i have to agree with the company, it's not their fault you got in over your head.
A couple of their conversions state clearly cutting and welding is needed, so i have to agree with the company, it's not their fault you got in over your head.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 789
Likes: 7
From: Durham, NC
Are you in NC by chance? I could take care of it for ya.
Simply remove column. Measure from box to where column bolts up. Then compare to see how much needs cut. Then remove bottom plastic piece of column and pull shaft (not knowing everything off hand that's involved to do this). Pretty sure you can keep steering wheel on it and pull from the top? Then I cut them above the plastic piece like 3 inches up. Then grind a bevel on both shaft pieces, weld and grind flat. Then sleeve with round stock about 4" long (if I got it) and weld all over again. I've used flat bar on the sides, bolts laying around, pretty much anything. There's plenty room inside the column for the shaft to turn with a sleeve / flat stock welded onto the side. Then I cut the column off the same distance and take a drill to put another hole for the plastic piece to fit back on.
Not pretty on the inside but nobody will ever see it from the outside.
Simply remove column. Measure from box to where column bolts up. Then compare to see how much needs cut. Then remove bottom plastic piece of column and pull shaft (not knowing everything off hand that's involved to do this). Pretty sure you can keep steering wheel on it and pull from the top? Then I cut them above the plastic piece like 3 inches up. Then grind a bevel on both shaft pieces, weld and grind flat. Then sleeve with round stock about 4" long (if I got it) and weld all over again. I've used flat bar on the sides, bolts laying around, pretty much anything. There's plenty room inside the column for the shaft to turn with a sleeve / flat stock welded onto the side. Then I cut the column off the same distance and take a drill to put another hole for the plastic piece to fit back on.
Not pretty on the inside but nobody will ever see it from the outside.
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