Steering shaft extension

I want to make my steering shaft longer.

It seems like the best way would be to cut it and fit a larger tube around the cut area and weld it all together.

My problem is that locally I haven't been able to find a piece of tube that fits well around the outside of the shaft.

Has anyone else extended their steering shaft? What did you use and how did you do it?

Thanks.

Mike

Hey Mike,

What is you ultimate goal, to extend further towards seat or to reach steering box mounted position?

- Larry Villeneuve

Hi Larry!

Since I decided to use a bus turn signal switch and a 1 1/2" thick hub, a standard length steering shaft would put the steering wheel pretty close to the dash eyebrow.

I want to lengthen the shaft about 3" to move the wheel farther from the dash.

I have already made a new longer outer tube out of copper pipe. It is 1.25" diameter, close to a bus tube to fit the switch. I have a fitting soldered on to the top end that allows me to use the beetle bearing.

Mike

I extended mine but in a completely different way. I got one of those quick release hubs and its about 2" think or so. I then made it fit on the shaft and then bolted my Nardi to it.

The wheel is not not so close to the eyebrow and I have the added security of being able to remove the wheel when the car is parked.

Might work for you...

Since the bus steering column is smaller in diameter than the Beetle, giving you only 1.25 outer diameter to work with. You probably only have around 1.175 inner diameter to play around with. To be safe, you should cut the steering shaft around the mid point, drill holes up and down the shaft on all sides and fit a pipe INSIDE the shaft. Weld through the multiple drilled holes, grind smooth and done. The numerous plug welds will spread the load (only shear force really) nicely. Of course if you want to you can also perimeter weld the seams.

I M (not always humble) O

TC,

I thought about putting something inside the shaft. But, I still want to be able to run the wire through the shaft.

It seems like I would be able to splice it just above the bottom end. I haven't checked, but it seems like this would be beyond the tube.

Right now my new tube is 6" longer than the beetle one. After I decide where to position the wheel, I may trim some off the bottom end of the tube.

Easy way to extent the shaft is to weld flat ends on a old section of a steering shaft to accept the VW "rag joint" on both ends. I forget what kit car I saw this on, perhaps a Jag SS-100 replica.

Alan, now THAT'S slick ! ! I'm gonna use that trick myself.

That sounds very familiar. I used a super beetle steering link shaft just like that.

I do need to get Mikes Hub done!!! Sounds like he really needs it NOW!! to test fit stuff.

I have had some trouble here at home again. but its now almost under control.

When it rains it poors.

I have used a urethane insulated u-joint from Borgeson to make a little stretch.

http://www.borgeson.com/VibrationDamp.htm

If you use a U-Joint at the bottom end of the steering shaft, don't you need a support bearing?

I used a delrin bushing in the bottom of the tube.

Yes you will need a second colum bearing in the other end of the colum.

You need to reinforce the lower end with a muffler U clamp type suport back to the body of the car.

The flat area right above the hole were the colum passes though the forward wall works fine, provided you sanwich the body area with 2 peaces of flat metal where the U bolt passes through the body.