Power steering conversion ' 54 GMC 100 questions

[tr4boy]

Folks,

Getting the parts together to do a power steering conversion to my wife's '54 GMC 100. She wants to keep the stock steering wheel so I'm going to have to cut the column and mate the shaft to the new PS box. Maybe you can help with some questions I have...

I want to use a DD u-joint on the shaft the stock shaft in the remainder of the column. Also, I plan on using a column saver to support the end.

Does anyone know the diameter of the stock steering shaft?

Does anyone know if I can pull the shaft out of the existing column to have it machined for the DD u-joint?

thanks,
Greg

[mr48chev]

I'm thinking that the stock shaft is a solid 3/4 inch rod.

Use a bearing rather than a bushing in the bottom of the tube when you shorten the tube as from experience you have to have things perfectly aligned with bushings or you get too much drag between the shaft and one side of the bushing. I went to Doc in the Box with Severe chest pains that ended up being muscle strain across my chest from the steering in my 51 Merc binding up with a bushing in the bottom of the stock tube.

[OrrieG]

No need for machining, you can take the round to DD with a die grinder. But with the column saver kit you have to remove the steering wheel and shaft to install. http://www.classicperform.com/Instru.../PDF/CPBCS.pdf

[tr4boy]

mr48chevy,

Thanks, i was thinking 3/4 too...

I think the column saver will help me avoid the chest pains!

thanks!
Greg

[tr4boy]

OrrieG,

I'd heard that, but is it pretty easy to free hand it?

thanks
greg