The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Shortened steering column!!

I have been wrestling with how to shorten the steering column in my 51 and finally decided to take it to a machine shop and have them do it. The guy I used charged $100 and took 4" out of the column and mast jacket. For the steering column itself, he cut it close to the splines, drilled holes about 3" deep in either side of the center of the column (sort of like a gun barrel), he also drilled one hole perpendicular to the shaft he put in the middle of the column (sort of like the fuse hole on a cannon). Then he put a pin in the holes, welded together the joint and welded the 'fuse hole.' He said that is the standard required by the FAA and automobile racing bodies. He cut it close to the splines at the top to minimize torque on the joint. Its great to have the steering wheel further from the seat and for $100 it was worth it! I only wish he had taken pictures while he was doing the work!

I shortened mine back thirty years ago. I did the tube myself and then the shaft was done at a local machine shop, it was done basically like yours. On the tube, I just shortened it and butt welded it.

Heres the funny part, I sold off the thing a few years ago when I planned on going the Camaro clip tilt wheel routeene. Now, I am going back to the stock steering and I had to buy another columm and box and I have to shorten it all over again!

Brian