I'm in the middle of installing power steering (CPP400 kit from MidFifty) in my '56. I'm planning to use the stock column and wheel.

Some questions (sorry for so many, but I figured I'd pile them all in one place rather than make a ton of posts) --

1) There is only 1 column drop and no bottom bracket on the stock column. With the new rag joint on the CPP box, won't the column "rock" around due to the flexibility in the rag joint? Is that the way everyone else has done it? Am I worrying about nothing? The original steering shaft ran right into the steering box, so this wasn't an issue with the original setup.

2) I did buy the Delrin bushing kit from MF (1948-64 Ford F-100 Column Delron Bushing & Sleeve, Lower Centering). There are no instructions. It appears that the Delrin plug goes into the (shortened) outer column tube and the clamp goes between the Delrin and the rag joint. Is that correct? Does that fix or help with issue #1?

3) Steering shaft - the steering wheel spline (top end) seems marginally ok. some of the teeth are about half gone, some are kind of mashed (see pic). Is this shaft usable? Should I be looking for a replacement? Any leads on where to find one?

4) Steering shaft - the bottom end measures 0.760" but the rag joint ID is 0.750". The Delrin bushing is also expecting 0.750 as well. I've got a lathe, so I can make it right, but i'm curious if others have run across this same issue?

5) Steering wheel depth - I'm wondering if the steering wheel that came on my truck is actually a '56. The dish is deep (5.75" or so) and there is a "54" molded-in marking (see pic) underneath. Does that make it a '54 vintage and not a '56? Anyone have any opinions about whether to find a '56 version before I start cutting the shaft and column tube to fit the wheel I have? Are there any pros/cons to using the "deep dish" ("54") wheel?

6) Steering wheel - I know it is common for the plastic coating (Bakelite?) steering wheel material to crack. Mine is cracked in 19-20 places though the structure itself feels very solid. My plan was to fill the gaps (Bondo? JB weld? other) for cosmetics. Do people generally toss out wheels that are cracked in this many places? Any replacement recommendations?

7) Steering wheel orientation - there appears to be a "key" in the bore of the steering wheel, and there _might_ have been a matching keyway in the spline on the shaft, but everything is a bit buggered up to really tell. Is there _supposed_ to be a keyway for alignment between the wheel and the shaft?

Thanks for reading this far down!

- Bruce

Pix below (hopefully!)

 

...bump...

 

I would replace the shaft. Bigwin56f100 on this forum can probably supply you with one. I purchased one from him.

The steering wheel looks to be a 56. 53-55 aren't dished, they are flat.

The lower column tube needs to be mounted to the floor. Mid-Fifty sells several different styles to accomplish that.

 

avf100 - thanks for the tips. I just called MF - they are looking for a shaft now. If they don't find one, I'll ping Bigwin56f100.

Thanks for the ID on the wheel!