Retired Sparky 526 #1 Posted March 23, 2016 I noticed the steering column on my 86' 310 is a little slippy lately. I pull the battery and started taking pics. I found the sheet metal just in front of the steering column has split. Pliers put the break back together. There is about 1/4 -3/8'' of play. I put an outside caliper on a collar that surrounds the steering column and it's just under an 1'' (63/64''). I'm thinking to cut a piece of 3/16'' or thicker sheet metal and fashion a half moon to custom fit around that collar that surrounds the steering column. I'd love to weld the piece in place, but I don't own a wire feed welder. I have the skills but it's not in the budget. It'll get vice gripes and 1/4''-20 nut & bolts. I think I'm on the right track, but I'm going to open this up for discussion. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phatboy 565 #2 Posted March 23, 2016 Maybe make 2 half moon pieces identical.. Put one on top amd one underneath the existing plate drill holes and bolt them together , thats what i would do ,, would be extra strong that way,, because it would have dbl support going all the way across.. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Sparky 526 #3 Posted March 23, 2016 6 minutes ago, Phatboy said: Maybe make 2 half moon pieces identical.. Put one on top amd one underneath the existing plate drill holes and bolt them together , thats what i would do ,, would be extra strong that way,, because it would have dbl support going all the way across.. I'm not saying it wouldn't work. The that collar around the steering column has a flat piece under the structure. I guess I'd have to make to bottom piece bigger. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
N3PUY 1,031 #4 Posted March 23, 2016 Is the bushing stuck to the shaft? That metal piece that's broken gets bent up from using the steering wheel to pull the occupant out of the seat. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 60,096 #5 Posted March 23, 2016 How about a split flange bearing? 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JAinVA 4,637 #6 Posted March 24, 2016 Sparky, I thought I saw here that one of members used the bushing at the front of the fan shaft to fix this problem.He drilled two holes for the bolts on the ears and installed the bearing.I plan on doing this upgrade as the need arises.I wished I could the member who came up with this fix so you could see what he did.JAinVA 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Sparky 526 #7 Posted March 24, 2016 39 minutes ago, N3PUY said: Is the bushing stuck to the shaft? That metal piece that's broken gets bent up from using the steering wheel to pull the occupant out of the seat. The metal collar is not frozen to the steering column. The metal that's broken is red painted metal in front of the steering column. 42 minutes ago, 953 nut said: How about a split flange bearing? The shelf that the steering column pasts through is not very wide. I'm sure I could make that work. I'll find a workable piece of metal and try to take pics as I go. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Sparky 526 #8 Posted March 24, 2016 17 hours ago, N3PUY said: Is the bushing stuck to the shaft? That metal piece that's broken gets bent up from using the steering wheel to pull the occupant out of the seat. Right, that was my life after both hips got replaced. Only thing, I used to pull on the wheel to get on. The break in the sheet metal is in front of the steering column. I would have had to push on the steering wheel to break the metal. Oh well, it hasn't matter to me how the it got broken. I've gone the hardware store. I've got a piece of galv. sheet metal that I think I can fashion into something to rap around the steering collar. My camera in hand, my going to the shop. Results will come later. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Sparky 526 #9 Posted March 24, 2016 (edited) Today I went to town. I found a piece of galv. metal. Screwed it to a piece of wood for security and cut a hole with the drill press. All those years in construction weren't wasted. I cut the hole back far enough so I could bend the metal up in front to match the panel angel and get bi-directional support. A cut wheel and a burr made short work of my hole. I drills my holes in the bulkhead and installed an electricians best friend........ tech screws. A little lube to decrease the friction factor. Battery installed, a function check, engine starts, head light work. One last look before I close the hood. To me a good looking installation. Steering column is now solid as a rock. My cost: gas to drive to town, $.69 for galv. plate, one broken pilot drill bit $1.50. The tech screws were a donation from some previous employer. They were in my apron when I got laid off, honest. Edited March 24, 2016 by Retired Sparky 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JAinVA 4,637 #10 Posted March 24, 2016 Sparky, That repair looks good! Straightforward ,inexpensive and something that other members who have this problem can duplicate with minimal equipment.Thats what it is all about,thanks for sharing.Luck,JAinVA JimAnderson Gloucester,Va 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kegler 68 #11 Posted March 25, 2016 A shot of WH red and it will blend right in, Nice job! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Sparky 526 #12 Posted March 25, 2016 3 hours ago, Kegler said: A shot of WH red and it will blend right in, Nice job! I've spent a whole bunch of hours in commercial construction. My work is under the hood. It'll painted some day. It will be Regal Red. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
