Customs TECH WEEK: 20$ STEERING COLUMN with minimal tools.

So this tech is no rocket science, but I think this is something that most people can do in the garage with very minimal tools and time! I hope this can help the few like me who don't wanna spend 200$ plus dollars on a column.

First off, find a wheel you like and pull the shaft out of the column.






Then go to your local metal supply shop and hopefully they sell all this good stuff......


















I decided to go with the round cup for this one.






measure your column to fit your application best and make sure to leave at least 3" of shaft out the tubing












these are the 2 bearings you're gonna need, you can get them at OSH or at most hardware store for 5$ a piece.






also get an allen screw and an O ring that fits tight on you steering shaft.



find the center on your steering cup and use a whole saw to cut the hole for the tubing.








Insert your bearings on both ends of the tube and slide it down the steering shaft until the bearing rests on the wheel, then slide your cup for correct spacing/gap. and tack it in place and finish weld it

 

I have been wondering what people use for the bell portion. Great tech!!

Also, what locates the shaft lenght wise in the tube? just a question

 

now clean the welds smooth





next and final step, drill and tap the retaining screw.








slide the O ring in between the bearing and screw.




and you're done.... as for the steering joint, have someone with a lathe or?? fit the joint to the shaft and you just save yourself a bunch of $$$$$

 

Sweet!

 

Pretty slick!

I especially like the OSH parts numbers and such, thanks.

 

damn nice!!! as stated above NO#'s and every thing..thanks

 

what a guy !!!!!! thanks man .... summer is here i can feel it ...

 

You can also use exhaust pipe for the tubing if you have any lying around....

 

Wish there was a metal supply store like that here... Nice job.

 

Good one! this contest is heating up...

 

Where did the piece on the right go?
Just want to make sure i've got it all as I'm definatly saving this one, cool post!

 

slick!!!

 

Nice Ian! Thanks for sharing!

 

Very nice...but how did you get a 1-3/8" bearing into a 1-1/4" tube?

 

Thank you very much guys!
The piece on the right is just to show there are options as far as cups go. I went with the round one for this one, fits better for a futuristic look!

 

He used the one on the left...not the right.

 

Fits like glove without ANY tapping! just a push with the thumb!

 

I believe you can use either one of the two, not both, just depends on what look you want. Great Tech!!!

 

Are you sure that's a 1-1/4" tube? That's a whole 1/8" difference.

 

VERY COOL! Thanks! I wont be buying another $200 column, thats for sure.

 

He must have taken a pic of the wrong label. That one is for square tube 1 1/4" x 1 1/4"

Nice work Ian! (I mean on the column not the wrong picture)

 

awesome. very well done.

 

100%

 

Sorry guys.... Hopefully this human error won't make my tech obsolete!

 

LOL just delete the picture most people don't read through the whole thread anyways

 

Except for that little picture hiccup you have done a great service. This a very well illustrated and explained tech piece. Handy for anyone building any early car.
Thanks and how did you hook that horn up anyway?

 

Ian you are the fucking man!! Was trying to figure out what to do without spending a fortune on a new column. This will work perfectly! Great tech! Thanks!

 

your column is very cool. I will build one on my next car. get tech article

 

Rather than Drill and tap the Shaft, couldent you use a 3/4 slip collar with a set screw?