1952-59 Ford Column drop broke

Mid swapping a steering box and column from a 55 3 spd column to a 56 auto column. And learning the hard way that some things done change over right.

56 column drop is cracked. The gear indicator cover from the 56 doesn't fit the dash. And the 55 cover doesn't fit the 56 drop. Stuff most of y'all probably already knew.
Anyway while dis***embling the 55 column to steal the drop from that I broke the column drop in half. Naturally can't find any replacements.

I'm currently attempting to JB weld this one back together but I'd like to try and find a replacement.

Anybody got one for sale

56 drop


55 on life support

 

I'd give this guy a call, has lots of different year fords. Number in pic

 

Mine was the same on the 54. when all bolted to the dash, the cracked area disappeared. I think the design may be so it can slide on the tube easily before tightening everything up....but ends up cracking over time

 

I'm not really familiar with '55-'56 columns but, is there anyway to cut the crack flush then run a bolt through that side so you can unbolt the whole bottom section? Or, weld or have the crack welded up.

 

Pretty sure those were pot metal so you can't weld them.

 

My 56 column drop was cracked in two. When bolted up it's just fine.

 

I tried to have my neighbor weld it up since I haven't gotten a bottle for my welder yet and can confirm can't be welded lol. I should have just bolted it together though cause the Crack fit together alright but now it's all ground on and doesn't fit together cleanly anymore.

My JB weld didn't cure right so my "fix" peeled right off. Still looking

To the guys saying 54 works. Is that a guess or a known? I know the 56 doesn't work. The indicator cover doesn't fit the dash profile and the bolt hole spacing for the indicator cover are wider on the 56 too. So I'd be curious if the 54 had similar issues.

 

The column bracket on a '54 is for sure different than '55. Slightly different shape and '54 does not have the two mounting bosses. If you want to see what a '54 bracket looks like, I have a real nice one for sale on Ebay right now (see Ebay Item # 175260180013). Any of you '54 guys who need this part....I am selling it real cheap.

 

Some posted above. When you put the bolts through it just works. I think you will be hard pressed to find one that won’t break, even looking at it funny. It just breaks.

 

Just double checking, is this bracket also the same on 52 & 53 Fords?

 

My 53 column bracket is different from Alan’s eBay pic