Collapsable section in shaft

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 9:50 pm

For my buggy project... I have a steering column and shaft that I'll use but I have sort of a problem... The steering shaft I took from a 70' bettle has the collapsable section near the steering coupler cut in half and and bent! I have the shaft on my work bench and cant seem to find a way to separate this section from the shaft itself, Do I cut if off and replace with a section of rod eliminating this collapsable section? Or can I buy this section and replace it without buying the whole shaft? thanks!

Siggymanx33 · Post by **Siggymanx33** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 10:22 pm

I used a '73 locking column that had the colapsible section. To install it, the column needed to be fed up from below into the steering tube while mounting the hood. I recomend six hands. You say yours is broke or bent so perhaps some pictures would help?

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 12:15 am

thanks,,, but I have removed it from a 70' bettle and need to fix this collapsable section that is attached to the shaft before going on my buggy. Yes I removed it thru the front bottom. Do I have to buy a complete new shaft or can I just replace this collapsable section at the end?

shaihulud · Post by **shaihulud** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 12:39 am

Regardless of what you do, don't remove the collapsable section.

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 1:01 am

Like I said before I have to remove/cut it to replace it with a new section!!!!!!!!!!! Its cut in half and bent ,,,,,no way I can keep it on the shaft and be usefull... The question is: Do I have to buy a new shaft or can I just replace the collapsable section? Are these sold separate from the shaft?

allen pierce · Post by **allen pierce** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 1:56 am

Boy, that's a heck of a question. I just spent a few minutes browsing around BFY Obsolete Parts web site and didn't see this part anywhere. Granted, I could have missed it. Perhaps you're going to be going to a VW junk yard for this part? ? ? Hope I wrong on that (much easier to order, if it can be found somewhere).

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 2:10 am

if you have a welder it will work just fine to cut and weld a new colapsable piece on. after all it was origanily formed from steel and welded. try to stay on the old weld as much as possible.

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 2:24 am

I do have a welder and weld nice, so thats the q...OK I cant seem to find this shaft or even less the collapsable section on any supplier's page so I guess Ill just look for a better shaft at the junk jard! OR... can this be eliminated and just weld an rod extension of the same diameter to reach the coupler at the steering box? thanks.

167luckycharm · Post by **167luckycharm** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 3:07 am

AlexH, Where are you? I have an extra '70 shaft in straight, no rust, good condition. I'll mail it to you for Christmas, in the 'Aloha Spirit'. Just let me know 'cause it's taking up space here. ..."He's making a list, checking it twice"...

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 3:10 am

Lucky, Im in Puerto Rico caribbean.....I guess too far for you to mail at a cheap price! But where are u?

167luckycharm · Post by **167luckycharm** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:17 am

Hey AlexH! I'm in the middle of the big blue pond known as the Pacific Ocean, on a tiny island of Kauai. We also get hit with hurricanes too. Not as bad as Florida or the gulf coast. Yes, 5000 miles apart is quite a ways to send a steering column. I brought it out this afternoon, ready to take a digital picture of it to send, in case you were interested. Either way, it's still available to anybody. Happy Holidays!

Manx Club

Collapsable section in shaft

Collapsable section in shaft

collapsed steering column