Steering column tube size

[wilfreeman]

Hi all,
Well, I tore my spare steering gear down the other day. I have all the parts I need for the rebuild, except for a new column tube. The one on my 'a1 has been welded, and the one on the spare is bent pretty bad, so I want to replace it. My question is: Is the tubing a standard size for fence post or exhaust pipe or something that I can source locally, or do I need to just go ahead and order a replacement tube?

Thanks

[capescw]

Alternative to spending a lot on a repro, you can buy aircraft grade tubing from a variety of online suppliers. I got mine from NJ at a cost of $60 (delivered). You want 1.5" with .035 wall, it's an exact replacement size. EMT wall is too thick, and exhaust pipe is the wrong diameter

Sorry, I don't remember the name of the supplier.

[wilfreeman]

Thanks capescw,

Actually, a replacement would be cheaper than that ($28 + shipping) - of course it's an Omix replacement. I figured something I could buy local might work, then I thought about that thin walls on the tube.

[capescw]

Until I saw your reply, I forgot that I had to buy a 6' length, so I have about 40" left! It's yours for $25, including shipping.

retireandenjoy@optonline.net

[wilfreeman]

I might take you up on that - I already have a new bearing. Is that long enough - I didn't measure mine.

[capescw]

Enough plus 6-8" extra!

[wilfreeman]

PM sent

[G740]

If you guys would ask, there are alternatives. You could have gotten the correct tube, machined like the original with an NOS upper bearing for less than the cost of the tubing you bought, then had to cut and machine. The dealers who support this hobby are not the enemy.
John
MWM

[wilfreeman]

Sorry you didn't chime in earlier John, but thats what this post was about - I DID ask!
Also, nobody said dealers were the enemy - I've bought THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of dollars worth of parts from you all - some of us just like to make things ourselves and save a few dollars when we can!

[wilfreeman]

Well, I got my tubing from Bill (capescw) yesterday and got out to the shop and rebuilt the steering gear today - bushings, bearings, tubing and column bearing. You can view the whole writeup and pics on my blog (address in my signature below). Went well - pretty simple. Making my own tube was a 10 minute process including cutting it to length, squaring the cut ends, cutting the notch for the clamp and installing the bearing. I would recommend that anybody should try making their own - especially if you can get your hands on the tubing locally!

Here's a pic of the gear in the vice with the new tube on it:


And the rebuilt gear with the old tube beside it:

[wilfreeman]

I painted the steering gear OD yesterday, and got around to switching the gears out today.

After I figured out that removing the driver side fender and pulling the gear out the front was the easier way to do it, everything went pretty fast.

I went ahead and put a kit in the drag link also.
I left the fender off while I test drove it and adjusted the gear - it was alot easier to jump out, make an adjustment and jump back in.

Once I got it adjusted to my liking, she drove pretty good - even at 55 mph! I still have some play in my bellcrank for some reason, but I probably only have about 1/2" of steering wheel movement before the tire moves - an amazing difference! Plus, since I filled the box back up with 90w GO instead of grease, it moves really easy. Also, when I pulled the old one out, I noticed that the pitman arm was loose! The nut was tight, but the arm was loose on the sector shaft. It also had some bushing wear that was noticeable.