[C1] Steering column mods
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Steering column mods
Just wondering if there is an available collapsible steering column that can be fitted to a 62. In a head on collision those old steering columns are often lethal, so I was wondering if there is a way to make them safer.
#2
Team Owner
I'm not aware of any such off-the-shelf modification...
#3
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St. Jude Donor '07
considering the box and the column are one unit; no
if you do a steering conversion I guess you could use a double-D section in the shaft that would allow the shaft to telescope
Bill
if you do a steering conversion I guess you could use a double-D section in the shaft that would allow the shaft to telescope
Bill
#4
Drifting
Didn’t some of the early collapsible D shafts have a break away rivet that would let the D shaft move forward? You might be able to modify that and make it work..
#5
Drifting
Thread Starter
Found a lot of different examples of collapsible double D shafts. I need to find a place to see a couple in person, to get a better feel on making a mod.
#6
Team Owner
Just my opinion, but you are gonna rip up and modify your car for questionable benefit. The circumstances would have to be EXACTLY right for you to get impaled by the solid steering column. And, frankly, if that happened you're prob dead anyway. I had a nasty front-ender in a C2 (T-boned an Escalade) and nothing structural happened except a front frame horn tweaked slightly. The C1/C2s are tougher than you think.
Look at this recent C1 Chicago crash - note the steering wheel. Seriously, if this guy didn't get the shaft through the chest then what do you think it would take ? And, more importantly, would you survive such an impact even with a modified column ?
Would you want to ? The lack of a shoulder harness and headrest would at least break your neck.
I think if this worries you that much you should drive a more modern car
Look at this recent C1 Chicago crash - note the steering wheel. Seriously, if this guy didn't get the shaft through the chest then what do you think it would take ? And, more importantly, would you survive such an impact even with a modified column ?
Would you want to ? The lack of a shoulder harness and headrest would at least break your neck.
I think if this worries you that much you should drive a more modern car
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 03-21-2018 at 12:00 PM.
#8
Team Owner
That column would have to collapse more than a couple inches to make a difference.
#10
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St. Jude Donor '07
it's not you hitting the steering wheel, it's the front end collapsing and pushing the steering shaft backwards that I would be concerned with.
Bill
#12
Team Owner
#13
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This^^^. The column and box are one unit, just like my 1937 Chrysler. Until the rag joint design came out in the 1950's with the shaft attached to the box at its input shaft, this was the norm. GM modified their steering shafts in the A-body cars in 1967 with a collapsible expanded wire section and called it "Energy Absorbing". The pre-67 cars had a solid shaft, but had the rag joint, which could shear if the car hit at an angle. My advise for a safer C1 is to drive with due diligence and avoid crashing it in the first place. These are NOT safe cars, period. But that doesn't mean they can't be enjoyed. Everything in this world involves risk, in varying degrees. You alone must decide if the risk is worth the reward.
#14
Drifting
Thread Starter
Just my opinion, but you are gonna rip up and modify your car for questionable benefit. The circumstances would have to be EXACTLY right for you to get impaled by the solid steering column. And, frankly, if that happened you're prob dead anyway. I had a nasty front-ender in a C2 (T-boned an Escalade) and nothing structural happened except a front frame horn tweaked slightly. The C1/C2s are tougher than you think.
Look at this recent C1 Chicago crash - note the steering wheel. Seriously, if this guy didn't get the shaft through the chest then what do you think it would take ? And, more importantly, would you survive such an impact even with a modified column ?
Would you want to ? The lack of a shoulder harness and headrest would at least break your neck.
I think if this worries you that much you should drive a more modern car
Look at this recent C1 Chicago crash - note the steering wheel. Seriously, if this guy didn't get the shaft through the chest then what do you think it would take ? And, more importantly, would you survive such an impact even with a modified column ?
Would you want to ? The lack of a shoulder harness and headrest would at least break your neck.
I think if this worries you that much you should drive a more modern car
#15
Team Owner
Wasn't completely trying to dissuade you, but, in my personal crash experience the chief benefit would have been from a shoulder harness - it would have kept me from doing a steering wheel taste test.....
#16
Drifting
Thread Starter
#17
Team Owner
#18
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St. Jude Donor '07
I understand the column/shaft/box are integral to each other. back in post 3 I said that if he used an aftermarket column he could use a double-D shaft. could probably figure out a way to use the original steering box (minus the column jacket and part of the shaft), but I wouldn't.
Bill