Anyone have this happen?

[Trucknut57]

I was almost done cleaning the shift shaft assembly on my steering column and got most of the old grease and rust off of it. I went to get a few other tools and rags and heard a noise, turned around and saw the shaft on the floor.

Can you see where this is going?

Yep, the shaft fell off the bench, and broke.

I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but, can this be fixed ?

[LockDoc]

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If it is aluminum it can be welded, if it is pot metal no.

LockDoc

[Trucknut57]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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If it is aluminum it can be welded, if it is pot metal no.

LockDoc

Pretty such it's pot metal

[lutronjim]

Somewhere in a thread I read a while back there was 'welding rod', that could be used for potmetal with a low heat torch. Can't remember jest of thread.

[lutronjim]

See
https://www.muggyweld.com/product/super-alloy-1/

Have no idea how strong it would be

[Sheepdip]

Originally Posted by lutronjim

See
https://www.muggyweld.com/product/super-alloy-1/

Have no idea how strong it would be

Problem with this stuff is it only works on beer cans at car shows!

[Trucknut57]

My only concern would be the strength of the repair. Those springs are pretty stout.

I have a feeling I will be looking for a different column.

[trac209]

Originally Posted by Trucknut57

My only concern would be the strength of the repair. Those springs are pretty stout.

I have a feeling I will be looking for a different column.

Yes a pot metal repair on a steering component isn’t gonna last that’s for sure.

[HO455]

Let's be clear this is not a pot metal piece. It is a rough cast piece of mild steel that has been stamped, surface heat treated on the stamped area. Then the center was bored to size and holes drilled and tapped for the locking bolts. Welding it is not a problem.
.

[Trucknut57]

Originally Posted by HO455

Let's be clear this is not a pot metal piece. It is a rough cast piece of mild steel that has been stamped, surface heat treated on the stamped area. Then the center was bored to size and holes drilled and tapped for the locking bolts. Welding it is not a problem.
.

Just my curiosity, but if it's heat treated metal, should/would it snap off like that when dropped?

[HO455]

Originally Posted by Trucknut57

Just my curiosity, but if it's heat treated metal, should/would it snap off like that when dropped?

Heat treating metal makes it more brittle (less malleable) so it would be more likely to break instead of bending. That's why you should never use a file as a pry bar. There are different kinds of heat treating. I believe this particular part was flame treated which is a surface harding process. As the part has metal to metal contact without any lubrication heart treating would allow the two pieces to rub against each other with out gauling.
I would hazard a guess that sometime in the past the piece was stressed and a crack developed. Then when you dropped it the previously cracked piece broke. Maybe it got bent at the factory and bent back then installed.

[dmjlambert]

There are probably many retired steering columns in garages of forum members, because the tilt column upgrade is so popular. Somebody may have one they can salvage that part off of for you, or send you the whole column. I suggest sign up for the premium membership and then post a want to buy ad in the parts section. I've had good luck getting obscure parts that way. From other threads I see it is called a detent selector. I wonder if JB Weld would fix it if the cure time was sufficient.

[Astro-Balls]

On structural parts I wouldn't trust JB weld or Muggy weld.

[Trucknut57]

Originally Posted by Astro-Balls

On structural parts I wouldn't trust JB weld or Muggy weld.

I was thinking the same thing, as much use as that part gets, I just don't think jb weld or that muggy stuff will hold up.

I'll probably end up going the same route as most and just change the column out with something different. So much for staying on budget for this truck

[flashed]

Is that from an Auto column or manual ? Never taken one apart .

[Trucknut57]

Originally Posted by flashed

Is that from an Auto column or manual ? Never taken one apart .

It's from a non-tilt, automatic column shift.

[flashed]

I have a complete column .

[HO455]

What year column? Yours looks slightly different than my 67 column and I welded my detent tab at least 3 years ago and have had no issues since. Will a magnet stick to it?

[Trucknut57]

Originally Posted by HO455

What year column? Yours looks slightly different than my 67 column and I welded my detent tab at least 3 years ago and have had no issues since. Will a magnet stick to it?

The column came out of a 68 C10 and yes a magnet sticks to it very good.

It's the lower part of the column that you hook the transmission linkage to. It's just below #6 in the picture.

I may take it over to my neighbor to see if they can weld it back together.

[cornerstone]

I converted over to a tilt column. You are welcome to the one on my 1972 column if it will work for you. Is it held in place with a set screw? I’ll go take a look at mine shortly.

[Trucknut57]

Originally Posted by cornerstone

I converted over to a tilt column. You are welcome to the one on my 1972 column if it will work for you. Is it held in place with a set screw? I’ll go take a look at mine shortly.

Thanks for the offer, but I'm pretty sure those years don't interchange. So don't take anything apart.

[HO455]

Here is a photo showing the piece I welded back on mine. Come to think of it I don't know what year my column is as the truck came with a later model Cadillac column in it and I found a factory replacement on Craig's List.
As I side note I spent almost 5 years on SSN-685.

[Trucknut57]

Originally Posted by HO455

Here is a photo showing the piece I welded back on mine. Come to think of it I don't know what year my column is as the truck came with a later model Cadillac column in it and I found a factory replacement on Craig's List.
As I side note I spent almost 5 years on SSN-685.

It looks close but I'm no expert on columns. I can see where it was welded, l'm assuming it has held up pretty well.

Spent a few years on SSN 575, SSN 683, SSN 687, SSBN 733. Those were some fun times

[HO455]

No problems with the column repair. It's been the daily driver for a couple of years now. I had forgotten about welding it back together until I saw your thread. (The best kind of repair. )

That's quite a range of old boats and one new Cadilac. How did you miss out on a 688?

[Lancialonnie]

Originally Posted by Trucknut57

It looks close but I'm no expert on columns. I can see where it was welded, l'm assuming it has held up pretty well.

Spent a few years on SSN 575, SSN 683, SSN 687, SSBN 733. Those were some fun times

I worked at Mare Island Shipyard from 86-91 and spent most of that time working on the 683 overhaul and extension. It was hard work but I felt I was doing my part during the cold war. I worked on many others including the final paint job on 575 to make it look nice for the decommissioning ceremony. It was a sad day to see the yard close, so much history!