HOT steering column, what would you do? Poll
#1038254
07/22/11 11:35 PM
07/22/11 11:35 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,518 Indiana
MonGoo$e
OP
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OP
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,518
Indiana
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I'm having a Hot steering column issue. I'm guessing it's from the header tube that passes it. It's just at 1/4" gap between them.
I feel heat under the column and when i place my hand on the cast aluminum sections of the column after about a half hour in warm weather it's very warm. I believe the heat is working its way up through the column tube.
I'm thinking a header wrap around the column and/or header "section" or maybe an aluminum shield (tight clearance though)
Last edited by MonGoo$e; 07/22/11 11:36 PM.
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Re: HOT steering column, what would you do? Poll
[Re: MonGoo$e]
#1038255
07/23/11 12:12 AM
07/23/11 12:12 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,168 Vancouver, WA
MoparMarq
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,168
Vancouver, WA
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Later columns had a sleeve wrapping the perforated portion of the column housing inside the cabin to prevent hot underhood air from traveling up the inside of the column housing and exhausting through the "grating" of the perforated portion of the housing to the cabin. My 72 didn't have the sleeve, but a '74 B-body did. That may be part of the source of heat near the pedals; the convection (through the column housing) as well as the heat conduction of the housing (and shaft) itself. You can make a crude sleeve yourself from cardboard and duct tape. Just wrap the perforated portion of the housing underdash. Or perhaps use strips of duct tape. Whatever mess you're willing to tolerate...
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Re: HOT steering column, what would you do? Poll
[Re: MoparMarq]
#1038259
07/23/11 01:58 AM
07/23/11 01:58 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,518 Indiana
MonGoo$e
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Quote:
If it was me, I'd fab up some metal shield that can bolt to the brake m/c stud and hang between the column and header tube.
thats kinda what I'd in mind. tight fit but maybe it'd hold the problem away.
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Re: HOT steering column, what would you do? Poll
[Re: Dean_Kuzluzski]
#1038261
07/23/11 08:37 AM
07/23/11 08:37 AM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15,487 Florida
scratchnfotraction
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15,487
Florida
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I have seen where the tube was cut/notched/clearanced with the cut being re-welded/boxed to give more room at the header tube on an a-body maybe that can be done,just have to cut/slice it the couple inches at the header tube and make a flat area on the round tube of the colum. a small piece of the insulation with the silver backing like used unhood of some car(grab some from a JY) could be wraped and tied to the colum where the tube ends and the shaft pokes out to keep heat and air moveing up the hollow of colum. looks may be the only down fall of the insulation wrap
Last edited by scratchnfotraction; 07/23/11 11:41 AM.
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Re: HOT steering column, what would you do? Poll
[Re: Challenger 1]
#1038265
07/23/11 02:29 PM
07/23/11 02:29 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,518 Indiana
MonGoo$e
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Indiana
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Quote:
Couldn't you stuff some pink fiberglass insulation up inside the coluum? Or is the lower bearing in the way? That would stop the hot air from going up the coluum and won't cause any safety concerns. When it falls out stuff some more up there.
I may do that as well.. thanks
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Re: HOT steering column, what would you do? Poll
[Re: MonGoo$e]
#1038269
07/23/11 11:03 PM
07/23/11 11:03 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,177 ill
dennismopar73
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,177
ill
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Quote:
that plastic bushing appears to have moved up into the column. The heat shield did nothing, as i took a little drive to my dads about a half hour away...he inserted a piece of stove insulation into the tube. After it cooled i drove it home..hot as ever...my key when i pull it out feels really warm..wow...any other ideas on this?
well like i said never had this issue,, how hot does these headers get?? , are they glowwing red?/ have to ask but go out put the car at highway, rpms 2000? hold it see if they arent getting red, thats alot heat transfer up a steering colum, run alot a abody headers on alot of a body cars never had issue
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Re: HOT steering column, what would you do? Poll
[Re: MonGoo$e]
#1038272
07/24/11 03:18 AM
07/24/11 03:18 AM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,310 Walnut Creek, CA
blown340
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master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,310
Walnut Creek, CA
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Any chance you are having a electric issue inside the column that is causing heat to build up? How are your turn signals/flashers/ignition/horn, etc working? On these old systems things can get pretty hot without tripping any fuses. just another avenue to consider! -Jon
70 challenger convertible. 340/5 speed. blown, intercooled, efi, blah blah blah
71 valiant scamp 318/A833OD/AC/PS
00 dakota RC 4.7L 5 spd autoX'r. SRT10/T56 swap in process
73 W200 Power wagon, PTO winch, 4 spd
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Re: HOT steering column, what would you do? Poll
[Re: blown340]
#1038273
07/24/11 11:25 AM
07/24/11 11:25 AM
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,675 Akron, Ohio U.S.A.
roadhazard
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Akron, Ohio U.S.A.
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That's EXACTLY where I was going blown340 I have HP manifolds on mine (plenty of room) and my colum gets realy warm/hot after about 20 mins. to 1/2 hour of driving. I have the standard cluster and not the Rallye. I'm going to disconnect my Amp Guage, fasten the wires together and try it like that to see what happens. My ingition switch has been replaced (thought it was a dead short issue) but ended up being my low mile reman alternator that about burnt my car to the ground Colum is still warm so I'll keep searching for the high resistance culprit Greg
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