Thread: Install steering shaft and multiple u-joints in model A roadster pick-up

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This has turned out to be a considerable thrash, but the roadster pickup now has steering. There was absolutely no way that I could connect the steering column to the Vega steering box without adding a third universal joint and a second intermediate shaft with a support bearing. On other rods that I have built, I either used block hugger headers or Limefire lakes style headers, and got away with 2 universals and one intermediate shaft. This time, I used a pair of $25 flea market rams horn manifolds, and even with the exhaust pipe massaged as much as it could be, I had interferance problems that necessitated using a third joint. I welded a peice of 2" x 2" x 3/16" angle to the inside of the framerail to act as a mounting bracket for the support bearing. The u-joints are "phased" correctly, and everything now clears alright. I disconnected the drag link from the Pitman arm, and the steering wheel turns full lock to full lock without any binding. I wanted to put the support bearing on the shaft which runs from the steering box to the first universal joint, but there simply wasn't enough room. It serves the sane purpose mounted on the upper intermediate shaft, and there was more room.(the thing that looks like a bent pipe on the left side of the picture is the hook on the end of my trouble light)----Oh what fun we have!!!!