The host sells a new tilt steering column in the catalog. How does this hook up to an original 1949 GMC steering box? Isn't the steering shaft from the steering wheel to the worm gear on piece? Do you have to cut the steering shaft off just above the box and connect the old to the new with steering column u-joints? Or does the new steering column fit all the way to the steering box and the worm gear fit on the new shaft? that is if the worm gear comes off the old shaft. I had the steering box apart, cleaned it up and changed the gear oil, I guess I did not notice that the worm gear came off at. I did not get into the steering column itself. Now I am looking into a new tilt steering column and wonder if anybody has been there and what is the procedure before I buy.
The shaft/gear are one piece so yes, the tube and shaft has to be cut. Your's will be very simple since the column and steering box will be in the same location. Since everything will be aligned the only reason a joint would be required is to give a place to join together. There is a bearing that just fits inside the tube and has a 3/4 hole for the steering shaft. Have used many but don't recall the number. I use a set screw to retain the bearing but others just tack weld it to the tube and it seems to work fine. Here is a pic that shows the modified tube and shaft/bearing. The alignment in this case, an AD on an S10 chassis, was close enough that a factory slip joint was used rather than a U-joint.
