steering column woes on 521

[]2eDeYe]

I hear that...lemme know either way :)

[pope_face]

Yeah I'll still come get it. If all else fails, anyone know how hard it is to shorten a 620 steering column?

[veryboard]

Can`t the 521 column be shortened?Anyone know how to do this?Can`t you just cut a piece out and weld it back together?Tilt column would be nice.A column that collapses or breaks apart during an impact(crash) would also be a nice upgrade,keep one from getting speared from column.

[pope_face]

Yeah, a collapsable column would be nice... I'm going to take a look at the 521 column tonight and see whether or not it's collapsable.

[]2eDeYe]

It's not, solid shaft down to the box. I think Mklotz has shorten a 521 before. I sorta vaguely remember there was a thread waaaaay back, on the nude board.

 

I've been thinking, I may use a Z car box and a 720 column and linkage. Haven't gotten there yet though so I'm not really sure it will work.

 

I too would like to remove the 'spear of death'

[slodat]

I know for certain that the column on my chopped 521 was shortened by the PO. I remember him mentioning it. I do not know anything about the *how*. I'll snap some photos of the interior and dash when I push it out of the garage in the next few days to swap wheels.

[ppeters914]

2eDeYe;93374'']I too would like to remove the 'spear of death'

 

I hear this all the time on the roadster lists. Yeah, it's a safety concern, but when is the last time you heard of someone getting speared?

[]2eDeYe]

Never, but I plan to drive 'on the edge' on occasion.

[pope_face]

I agree with this... I have no idea how much of the front end of a 521 is suppose to crumple in a high-speed impact, but I have no desire to find out. Hopefully it's not far enough to push the steering box and column back. But, I suppose with some proper restraints, smart driving, and shorter column nobody ever has to find out.

 

Actually, while we're on the topic of Spears Of Death, anybody remember those two Filipino (or whatever) guys that got impaled together on a post while riding a motorbike? They were behind a truck loaded with metal poles sticking out the back... something happened, truck must've stopped quickly, they couldn't stop in time, and ran right into the end of a post. It went through both their chests. I think they survived though...

[Cuts metal like mad]

my chest hurts... :confused:

[pl521sss]

Is it confirmed that 620 column is only an inch shorter than 521?

Also, 620 looks like solid shaft and not collapsable

If so, it don't think it's worth the swap.

[pope_face]

In that case... are there any other options for telescopic steering columns? Steve, you mentioned a 720 column and Z-Car box... how difficult of a swap is that? Is it fairly bolt-in, or does it require a lot of modification to the mounts/column/box/whatever?

[]2eDeYe]

I have no clue. I know datzenmike did something like that, but his truck on a 720 frame. I won't get into the steering until my suspension is done.

[kelowg]

could you just cut the shaft and shaft housing, put support bearing at end of housing. then get custom column, maybe flaming river mini column. you can get

couplings with flats on sides of steering shaft, grind flats on stub of box

i like the fact that the column is stainless or you can paint it