New Steering Columns

[Adam C.]

Long time, no see!

After spending half a decade restoring chassis 1032, I couldn't bear to even look at a GT for years.
Looks like it took about a decade to recover, but it's been long enough and I feel like making some parts.
Steering columns could be a good start. Anyone need one?

Parts would be made to print, with most of the 1032 modifications included (thicker tubes, one-piece flange etc.) for robustness.

 

[Ryan L]

I will need one at some point Adam, however not right now as i have a few other things on my plate.

 

[Ole Nylende]

I would like to know what they actually did to them compared to the prints if you would like to do a short writeup?

 

[Adam C.]

I would like to know what they actually did to them compared to the prints if you would like to do a short writeup?

The wheel hub is one piece rather than two and has 3x as many holes for wheel adjustment.

The inner shaft is increased wall thickness, same diameter.

The outer tube has increased wall thickness and diameter.

The 4 mounting brackets are increased thickness.

Bronze bushings are longer.

In spite of all of this, 1032 still had issues with fatigue in the lower bracket. You can see lots of gusseting and welding in that area.

All hardpoints are carryover and the column is interchangeable/visually indistinguishable from the original design.

 

[JMCGRATH]

Sir,

Price and availability? Are they made in the US?

Please advise.

Thank you,

JM

 

[Adam C.]

I'll probably make a batch of 20 at home (US).
20 tends to be a pretty good piece/investment cost tradeoff.

I'm working on some 2005 GT parts right now, this will be next in the queue. Should be late Q1, early Q2.

I have the B.O.M. figured out, but still working on tooling/investment. Final price TBD.

 

[JMCGRATH]

Adam,

Thank You.

JM

 

[Ryan L]

Q1, early Q2.

I could be interested latter in the year if that is the case. I am trying to get the workshop rebuild underway at present and am not committing to anything else until i have that moving in the right direction.

Waiting on council and building surveyors to give the go ahead at this point in time

 

[Adam C.]

Just about ready to weld up the column outer.

 

[Ryan L]

Lovely work their Adam.

 

[Adam C.]

20 outers just need reamed and then off to powdercoat

 

[Adam C.]

Machined parts arrived today. Light at the end of the tunnel!

 

[Adam C.]

Reamed and media blasted. Off to powdercoat this week.

 

[Adam C.]

The spline is a long ago deprecated British spec that is tough to track down.
Woodward Steering refers to it as the Jag/MG/Austin spline.
I ordered one of their couplers to check the fit of my new splined ends.
Fits like a glove!
Time to glue the shaft assemblies together.

 

[Adam C.]

Back from powdercoat

 

[Pedro]

How are these coming along meaning? any update?

 

[Adam C.]

Bushings are reamed.
Bought a welding positioner to make nice fillet brazes for the spline and hub. Should finish brazing this weekend.
Then just need to powdercoat the hubs.

 

[Adam C.]

Brazed, nickel plated, and de-embrittled the shafts.

Now to get the hub ends blasted and powdercoated.

Sadly, I had to scrap one shaft so we’re down to 19.

 

[Adam C.]

16 finished. Unfortunately I have apparently bought the entire planet out of bushings. Three are left unassembled while waiting on backorder.