Hi Guys

OK, I didn't really mind a little slop in the steering on my '51, but now I've noticed that the steering column (the outer 'pipe' - as opposed to the inner 'shaft') has cracked about 6 inches above the steering box. It almost looks like someone took a hacksaw to it....a nice , even split all the way around the pipe. Very odd. It looks like there may have been a hole drilled there at some time - centered on the shaft, facing up - perhaps some kind of ventilation/lubrication point?

Anyway, I suppose I could pull the column and get someone to weld it back together (comments on this anyone?) or, if there was an easy, relatively inexpensive way to replace the column and box with something a little newer, I might go for that.

Alternatively, it looks like the column itself is just a piece of pipe....has anyone every replaced the column without replacing the inner shaft? I'm thinking it should just slide off from the top (once the clamp that holds it onto the box is released), and replacement would just be a matter of finding a new piece of pipe with the right dimensions. Yes/No?

If I replace the whole thing, I've read about putting in a toyota power steering unit, I've heard about putting in a manual rack off of a donor of some sort.....I'm sure there are hundreds of different configurations out there, each with their own pros and cons.

Bottom line - I can drill holes and do some minor cutting, etc, but I don't weld, so any real 'fabrication' is out.

What's the easiest way to go? It's a '51 Merc with a '67 289 in it - front end is all original. I'd like to keep the original wheel if at all possible, but if I can't, I can't.

Thanks for any ideas you've got.

Brian

 

If you want the cheapest just buy a used steering column from one of the guys on this forum who has replaced theirs with an aftermarket column. If you decide on the Toyota or another setup plan to spend some bucks, I would think $2-300 minimum but I'm not sure what the Toyota units cost in the salvage yards and I may be way off.

 

I picked mine up at a J. Y. for 75.00 pull it yourelf. It turned out to be a good one but you cant count on that. Don