1957 chevy truck steering

Can the steering rod that connects the steering wheel to the steering gear be removed without removing the gear from the frame? The previous owner of the truck removed apprx 1/2" of thread from the top of the rod to install an after market steering wheel. I removed that wheel and installed an original wheel and there are not enough threads to install the washer and start the nut. Is there any repair options to this condition without removing the rod? I have a spare rod and want to retain the orignal steering column as it is a column shift for an automatic. thanks in advance.

 

No the rod/shaft has the worm mounted on it,box has to be removed and dis***embled to change.

 

the shaft is one piece all the way to the bottom of the steering gearbox. You gotta take it all out to work on it.

The original shifter was not part of the column, it screws on top of the column.

 

Thanks for the response. How is rod/shaft connected to the worm? once the gear is removed, can the rod be removed without dis***embing the gear box?

 

The gear is welded to the bottom of the shaft, it's one piece. You get to take it all apart if you want to get the shaft out.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1955truck2/55ctsm0901.htm


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