Who makes a new steering column shaft for a 48 Ford (Lincoln) with the proper taper, threads and a center hole for stock steering wheel and horn ****on? I suppose I could have a steel rod machined to fit wheel on top and Borgeson u-joint at bottom, but surely someone does this commercially? I'll also need a bearing to fit inside or on the outer cut column to support the shaft bottom end, and a rod end adjustment sleeve that is 1 1/2 inch longer than stock to attach to the pitman arm for the Saginaw steering gear I'm installing offset inside the frame. I need to use the original column Thanks Abe
I have never seen a repo shaft with the taper and keyway. Everone uses an old shaft. I would look for a worn out box and harvest the shaft. Be carefull to get the box centered when you orientate the keyway.
I use a flanged roller bearing at both ends of the columns. The flanged bearings are designed to take thrust loads. I put a clamp or collor on the shaft under the bottom bearing so the shaft will not go up or down. The bearings are commonly used for garden equipment like wheelbarrows. Cost a couple bucks at Tractor Supply. They are double sealed and fit the shaft and tube.
I believe I seen one some time back on speedway catalogue, not the complete shaft but the stub end with taper and key way on one end and socket fit on the other end to fit over shaft. For welding.
If you plan on using the factory horn you're gonna have to come up with a slip ring as well. The hollow shaft is a start, but you gotta get the wire OUT of the column eventually. I'm in the middle of this same project right now. I haven't figured out the slip ring yet - probably use one out of an alternator and go from there. This is what I have done so far - just need to machine the flats on the factory shaft.
Hemi Rambler, Check out this thread....it,s just the ticket for what you're doing http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7566093#post7566093
Hey Jethro - thanks for that link - I read it and pretty much used it as a template of sorts. The jeep solution is pretty cool, but I just couldn't leave well enough alone and changed it just a little. I used a piece of 3/4 copper water pipe union for a slip ring - (all I could find laying around) a plastic bushing made to fit. For the brush I used an old one I had laying around and a piece of delrin I threaded for 1/2-13. I had previously welded a 1/2-13 nut to the column for this. I figured if it doesn't work out - at least it'll be easy to replace! I didn't bother to broach a square hole in my "holder" instead I just filed a brush round - took about 3 minutes to file it.
Thanks Jethro, I am doing a 3 speed column shift in my 40 pickup, with a Saginaw box, this will complete the package!
The Jalopy Journal
