Technical What is this?

Thank you for allowing a guy like me be a member!

I just bought this 30 Tudor and have been giving it a good once-over. The steering shaft as it exits the all has a noticeable wobble while viewing the bushing. I have no idea what this steering column is from and I can't find what would look like a replacement for that offset bushing.

Anybody know what I'm looking for?

Thanks

 

Welcome aboard car man, I've never laid eyes on anything similar, but it looks like it's been there for some time. Maybe a good shot of grease will correct the issue? If not I'm sure you could have one made. Might be offset to pull the shaft down for clearance?

 

Looks homemade. As Lloyd mentioned offset to provide more clearance? Is it wood or what is it made from?

You might be able to find a small needle roller bearing that you fit over the steering shaft, and then oversize the hole in the bushing, so it is now a tight fit without slop from wear.

 

Looks to me like there is a smaller bushing around the shaft itself that could be a normal round thing to replace. The offset thing is odd, I can't think of a reason for that

 

That split-pin kinda scares me

 

The whole thing scares me.
I see evidence of bashing and tool marks. I would be suspect of the whole car.

 

How about a few more pictures, showing the steering wheel and column from inside the car? And the rest of the steering shaft connecting to the gear box?

(ps: We LOVE pictures around here!)

 

Welcome, @The_CarMan

The bushing looks like maybe some kind of a provision for a bit of a column drop.
Is the U-joint itself worn out and loose? It looks like it's eating itself. Looks like fresh metal and shavings on the two clevises grinding against each other... in both directions.

 

It might just be the camera angle, but that bushing looks like it has an offset bore. Measure that up to determine if it is indeed concentric... that will help determine your options. Also check to make sure the OD of the bushing is tight in the housing (it looks like it may not be). It also looks like the shaft may be rising and falling at different steering positions, as indicated by the worn area on the face of that bushing, so check that and correct as needed.
From the photo it looks like the bushing might be made out of Micarta, which is not the best material for this application. Look online (McMaster-Carr) for a replacement flanged bronze or nylon bushing based on your measurements, ***uming the bushing is concentric. If it isn't, find a machinist to make one.
Good luck.

 

A pic from further back might help, but it sure looks like that steering joint is in a very severe angle.
Is there any clunk/binding with the wobble?

 

The gray outer band looks like an old Ford clamp that usually holds the outer column tube to the cast iron box. Beyond that I have no idea what is going on with your car. There is no production car made with an offset wood bushing in the steering column.

I’d think that now is a great time to fix and replace this mess. Wood has no place in the steering system.

 

Or does it ...

 

That offset insert looks like it may be phenolic, better than wood but still not the best. I think the u-joint has been ground on to relieve it. The maximum angularity may have been exceeded and the builder was attempting to get a bit more.

 

Welcome to the HAMB! That offset base bushing reminds me of the top piece on a Model A Ford column. Large hole for the steering shaft, two small holes for gas and spark adjustment rods. Bob

 

It sure does looks like the "builder" of the steering did some grinding on the U-joint because he set it at a way too steep angle. That will lead to it's premature failure.
I would not bet my live on a split pin holding a round piece of steel in a smooth bore in a steering column. That's scary as hell.
That offset bushing would be the least of my concern if it was my car.

 

Yup, it's wood! And, I just verified it's been driven that way for at least 20 years.
I'll be working on a replacement. Thanks for the help.

 

The angle measures to be less that 20 degrees.......whats the proper range?

 

I don't see a split pin. I see a roll pin, bit no split pin..........
But you are correct........... Still not a good idea.

Three things on cars that should be absolutely done right. Steering, brakes and tires.

 

All the popular hot rod steering companies have an answer for this if you google it. Borgeson says a max of 30, Flaming River says 35 max but 15 is better in practice. In essence, the less the better but less than 20 isn't terrible. It's just that the one you have was modified and replacement would be wise.

 

I finally got around to pulling this out and it is indeed wood! I talked to the guy that hot rodded it 3 years ago and the guy that sold it to him as a stocker. The original guy didn't do it and drove it for 20 years like that. Who knows how long it's been like that and nobody got killed. It's going in my bin of shame.

 

You guys never met an owner/operator OTR driver it seems
I've seen a ton of sketchier **** than a wood disc in a mast jacket done by cheap MF'ers

 

Shaft from u joint down is to short , offset bushing compensates , sloppy work .