Aftermarket Steering Column

SSGT Mustang · 07-20-2015, 07:48 PM

I have one for my modified car that I installed but the thing bolts together. There's a bolt for the quick disconnect and a bolt at each u-joint mount. The manufacturer said that that's how everyone does it, and that welding isn't required but that scare the heck out of me.

Anybody have any experience with this? The car weighs 2950.

Thanks.

Mike Gray · 07-20-2015, 08:04 PM

Not sure what it looks like but my S/G car had a bolt at the u-joint and the NHRA tech just made sure it was safety wired. (It was a thru bolt with a nut)

SSGT Mustang · 07-20-2015, 08:40 PM

The shaft is 0.125 wall chromoly. The quick disconnect is drilled for a 1/4 stainless bolt, and the u-joints that connect the shaft to the rack are drill for the same.

jackarnew · 07-20-2015, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSGT Mustang

I have one for my modified car that I installed but the thing bolts together. There's a bolt for the quick disconnect and a bolt at each u-joint mount. The manufacturer said that that's how everyone does it, and that welding isn't required but that scare the heck out of me.

Anybody have any experience with this? The car weighs 2950.

Thanks.

Be safe and install at least 1 5/16 inch allen set screw in each slip joint long enought to lock with a nut on top. I always use 2 set screws per connection. Know of colums seperating at connections (U JOINTS)during a run as car launched. I was their and saw it happen. Driver must have been holding on to wheel for suport and pulled it back as car moved forward. Luckey he was no going too fast at the time an stopped. If you use only a thru bolt grade 8 or better with a locking type nut and only SAE thread. Be sure that drill size is a tight fit for bolt or you will have play in stearing.If any play install 1 set screw at each thru bolt 90 degreas off from drill hole.

SSDiv6 · 07-20-2015, 09:07 PM

I have the bolt-on type and used an aerospace close tolerance AN bolt and AN self-locking nut. If you can provide the diameter and length of the bolt, I can give you the aerospace AN numbers you will need to get.

SSGT Mustang · 07-20-2015, 10:13 PM

Thanks guys. The bolts are 1/4" diameter by 1 1/2 " long not including the head.

Good idea about the set screws.

SSDiv6 · 07-20-2015, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSGT Mustang

Thanks guys. The bolts are 1/4" diameter by 1 1/2 " long not including the head.

Good idea about the set screws.

Sorry, should have been more specific.
Need the grip length; from the end of the head to where the threaded portion starts.

Mike Pearson · 07-21-2015, 09:33 AM

I welded the joints on mine except for the connection to the steering box. The kit I used had a split collar to keep from pulling back on the column. It was a Jegs kit.

Andrew Hill · 07-21-2015, 10:13 AM

In addition to the AN bolt, I've seen washers like this used to spread the load over a larger area and keep the tube from collapsing. It also seems to me that it would be beneficial to have a solid section of shaft where the u joint is bolted (with some sort of plug inserted into the column). Not sure if this would be overkill or not.

https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/pr...oduct=3077-003

SSGT Mustang · 07-21-2015, 12:30 PM

Thanks a bunch. That's great information.

I was actually thinking about welding in a bolt tube inside for each bolt, but forgot about that.

Thanks to each of you.

07-20-2015, 07:48 PM	#1
SSGT Mustang Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jersey Posts: 359 Likes: 35 Liked 204 Times in 54 Posts	Aftermarket Steering Column I have one for my modified car that I installed but the thing bolts together. There's a bolt for the quick disconnect and a bolt at each u-joint mount. The manufacturer said that that's how everyone does it, and that welding isn't required but that scare the heck out of me. Anybody have any experience with this? The car weighs 2950. Thanks.

07-20-2015, 08:04 PM	#2
Mike Gray Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 615 Likes: 311 Liked 685 Times in 196 Posts	Re: Aftermarket Steering Column Not sure what it looks like but my S/G car had a bolt at the u-joint and the NHRA tech just made sure it was safety wired. (It was a thru bolt with a nut) Last edited by Mike Gray; 07-21-2015 at 01:40 AM.

07-20-2015, 08:40 PM	#3
SSGT Mustang Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jersey Posts: 359 Likes: 35 Liked 204 Times in 54 Posts	Re: Aftermarket Steering Column The shaft is 0.125 wall chromoly. The quick disconnect is drilled for a 1/4 stainless bolt, and the u-joints that connect the shaft to the rack are drill for the same.

07-20-2015, 09:07 PM	#5
SSDiv6 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 3,044 Likes: 712 Liked 1,578 Times in 581 Posts	Re: Aftermarket Steering Column I have the bolt-on type and used an aerospace close tolerance AN bolt and AN self-locking nut. If you can provide the diameter and length of the bolt, I can give you the aerospace AN numbers you will need to get.

07-20-2015, 10:13 PM	#6
SSGT Mustang Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jersey Posts: 359 Likes: 35 Liked 204 Times in 54 Posts	Re: Aftermarket Steering Column Thanks guys. The bolts are 1/4" diameter by 1 1/2 " long not including the head. Good idea about the set screws.

07-21-2015, 09:33 AM	#8
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,446 Likes: 614 Liked 1,919 Times in 576 Posts	Re: Aftermarket Steering Column I welded the joints on mine except for the connection to the steering box. The kit I used had a split collar to keep from pulling back on the column. It was a Jegs kit. __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

07-21-2015, 10:13 AM	#9
Andrew Hill Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 700 Likes: 446 Liked 170 Times in 38 Posts	Re: Aftermarket Steering Column In addition to the AN bolt, I've seen washers like this used to spread the load over a larger area and keep the tube from collapsing. It also seems to me that it would be beneficial to have a solid section of shaft where the u joint is bolted (with some sort of plug inserted into the column). Not sure if this would be overkill or not. https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/pr...oduct=3077-003 __________________ 3207 D/SA, C/ED

07-21-2015, 12:30 PM	#10
SSGT Mustang Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jersey Posts: 359 Likes: 35 Liked 204 Times in 54 Posts	Re: Aftermarket Steering Column Thanks a bunch. That's great information. I was actually thinking about welding in a bolt tube inside for each bolt, but forgot about that. Thanks to each of you.