humpback steering column built and installed

finally, after a long time, i have the steering column fabbed and installed. i used a tilt/telescope mechanism from a '76 newyorker, then made a recessed column tube that nestles into the knee bar of the cage. i also fabbed a removable wheel assembly. the hardest part of that job was the real estate needed for the lock mechanism for the telescope feature. the inner and outer bells at the wheel end of the column were scratch built, while the center cover that houses the turn signal switch and the tilt handle was modified by shaving the ignition switch "lump" and the key illumination light. the steering wheel shown is a junker for the time being, while the wheel i intend on using will also have a working horn button. the horn contactor was a real challenge to get working because of the size of the removable hub and the adapter cover needed for the telescope lock. next on the list is to cut the shaft to length at the rack, double D the end, and weld the support bearing mount to the chassis.

Very very nice work. I parted out a 77 New Yorker with one of those columns years ago. I ended up using the column in a 52 Ford F1 project. I just used it as is and loved it.

Like I said really nice work.

Beautiful work! - and with all the features.

couple of shots of the horn contactor. i used a small brass screw and silver soldered a wire to it, then using a common ball point pen spring to keep it touching a brass pin pressed into the hub, surrounded by a nylon tube with .090 wall thickness, keeping it well insulated from ground until the horn button is depressed. the retainer is made from some kind of fiberglass sheeting my buddy had laying around, retained by a couple of stainless flathead screws. the wire passes through the removeable hub insulated by more nylon tubing. all i need to do is fill the screw slot with a dab of solder and polish the flux off the shaft of the screw. the spring loaded contactor has roughly .225" of travel, which will guarantee a good spring load at the connection. this deal is pretty simple, but was kind of a head scratcher to figure out due to the small amount of realestate available on the removable hub.

and the attachment to the rack. i need to weld the support bearing mount to the chassis still.

That should steer well, nice easy angles on the joints.

the steering action feels very smooth, so it should be great going down the road.

Nice work ! Well done!