Hi guys, I have done some research and can't find much info. Can the collapsible mesh portion be replaced or repaired? This is on a 67 tilt column. I was wondering if the part from a non-tilt column could be substituted or can the tilt parts be installed on non-tilt column? Maybe this should be two separate posts. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks.
As long as the column is still the correct installed length, .... then you can weld the sheared ends together. With a little metal work you can make it look correct. As always when dealing with any steering component, you need to make sure the structural integrity is as good or better than an undamaged component. Those early columns were designed to collapse in the webbing upon impact. The next generation of columns utilized telescopic support tubes. I snapped a photo of my '68 Corvette column showing the same web design. Larry
That is a vehicle crash safety item. It was developed so that the steering shaft didn't penetrate the chest of the driver in a front end collision. I'd replace it, if it were mine. I realize that this may not be possible, given your location. Any modifications to it will not yield the same level of safety that was designed into it from the factory.
If welded correctly there would absolutely no reason not to use it. There is more than enough webbing to collapse upon impact. I feel that if it was such a great design in the first place the engineers wouldn't have thrown it into the scrapheap and come up with a more suitable telescopic column tube. Larry
