Technical Tech time how to straighten a Early Ford steering column tube 1932 to 1940 tube easy low tech

So I have a few column drops listed and have had a few question about the tube. Most guys have the tube but they are crap condition . I hear that from a number of guys including myself that seem all of them are dinged up. I mean like hit with a hammer to clear something and maybe it was a crazy drunken install.
I recall a article similar to what I do to make your crap column tube into a nice straight restored tube ready to use or metal finish and paint.
So I made simple tool fixture to slide into the tube and push out the dents creases or frustration marks.
The early ford 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1946 1947 tube inside diameter is 1.437 or 1 7/16 . So I made a simple piece of round stock and with a nice lead in of 1.410 and then to the 1.437 and then back to 1.415 . I did this for a few reason as I had experimented with steeper dimensions but more force had to be exerted . With the simple steps and a well greased tool and tube a good result will be achieved.
So a similar tool or even a 1 7/16 steel ball bearing will work but grease is your friend. The tube is thin metal and great ford old steel that will push out as original form.
You can see I install the tool with some old Mobile grease. I then take a hammer and pound it flush.
I then use a simple chunk of 1 inch steel stock and continue to hammer or push the tube down the length. At time I use a chunk of wood on the floor to support the tube as I strike the tube tool down the column inside or shaft.
You can see at one point it is at a pretty good dent and thru the hole you can see the tube. The tool is pushing out the dents and also strengthened it out as well. So I use a old steering shaft to remove the tool out of the column tube by tapping it from the top. Some tubes have a step that you may have to install from the bottom as well as the top. I just took a simple metal file and knocked off the high spots and it was a Mill Bastard simple file. A quick run over with a sander and your ready for filling primer of paint.
This was a beat to crap tube that looks nice now and ready to use in your hot rod or custom build.

 

Sorry my pictures are out of wack a bit I’m better on a Bridgeport then a keyboard

 

Thank you for this. I have a couple of tubes which need to be straightened.

 

Thanks, juts what I needed.

 

Thanks very much, a great tutorial.

 

Excellent!

 

Good tech John, I did pretty much the same to get the dent out of an early steel tube steering rack!

 

That is a great “how-to”! Thanks.... I have to do this to my ‘32 tube one day.

 

Great tech.

 

@FritzJr its nuts how many of the tubes got beat up and your welcome

@$um Fun your welcome and great to hear I can help with your cool builds

@HemiDeuce thank you and wish my grammar skills and computer skills were better . I am in awe at some post how well they are put together..

 

Thank you

What’s great about the old ford metal it’s very forgiving and moves nicely

If you choose to use the ball bearing I recommend using a one inch tube to push the ball down to get the ding and dents out. I use the ball bearing years ago and found the shaft slipped off and dinged the sides and more things to fix. This is the reason I built a better mouse trap so to say..

Thanks buddy

 

Good timing. Just pulled complete column, wheel and box out of the attic. 1938 Deluxe, don't need it right now, but may just tidy up for future. The drop is missing the tumbler and key, and the electrical "box". It will give me something to do, when I can't find anything else!
Are the tumblers, available?

 

Thank you and yes some parts are available but it’s best to source original no’s or good used parts. I see them on the bay for 30 to 60 bucks depending on the year. The only thing not reproduction is the metal ignition box in the back. The insides are but as said I recommend original goodies....

 

I thought you did a great job! Well done.

 

Great tech. The Crane repair shop would do that with the lattice when it was damaged by the ball every time we took it in for repair.

 

Thank you and hope it will come in handy one day

Thank you and many applications lol

 

Good tech. It reminds me of the video I watched on how they straighten the tubes on music instruments like trumpets, and other horns.

 

The joys of steel!

Excellent tech!

 

That’s a winner

 

Thank you and old steel is wonderful

Thank you sir

 

Did anyone get to try out this tool

 

Thank you for the pics

 

I miss all your posting @continentaljohn great tech.

 

Thank you Ron and when tech week was happening back in the day . It was a week scrambling to do a article plus it was a great week of learning new cool stuff.