Anyone have this happen?
 

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 ?

Re: Anyone have this happen?
 

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

LockDoc

Re: Anyone have this happen?
 

Pretty such it's pot metal :(

Re: Anyone have this happen?
 

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.

Re: Anyone have this happen?
 

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

Have no idea how strong it would be

Re: Anyone have this happen?
 

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.

Re: Anyone have this happen?
 

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.

Re: Anyone have this happen?
 

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

Re: Anyone have this happen?
 

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

Re: Anyone have this happen?
 

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 :waah:

Re: Anyone have this happen?
 

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

Re: Anyone have this happen?
 

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

Re: Anyone have this happen?
 

I have a complete column .

Re: Anyone have this happen?
 

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?

Re: Anyone have this happen?
 

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.

Re: Anyone have this happen?
 

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.

Re: Anyone have this happen?
 

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

Re: Anyone have this happen?
 

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.

Re: Anyone have this happen?
 

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 :metal:

Re: Anyone have this happen?
 

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. :lol:)

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

Re: Anyone have this happen?
 

Spent most of my time riding around in the special projects community due to security clearances and I really didn't want to go on west paks :lol:

Re: Anyone have this happen?
 

trucknut, did you ever solve the problem, I have a column in hand that might help you out

Re: Anyone have this happen?
 

Unfortunately I haven't had much time to go do much of anything except work :(.

I would love to just find a different 68 column and go from there but I'm not really that close to PA and not sure if it would be cost effective to have one shipped from there. I really appreciate the offer.

Thank you.

Re: Anyone have this happen?
 

Let me see how far I can disassemble it, keeping it away from the edge of the workbench, then get a quote on shipping

I'll take a pic to make sure it will fit and go from there, this thing is just taking up space and I would like GONE, so all we have to figure out is shipping cost

Re: Anyone have this happen?
 

That would be great, to help with your shipping quote, 74038.