MrEarl Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 a bit confused about the differences in the steering column and shaft between '56 power steering and manual steering. As I read and understand it, power steering units have a rag joint but the manual steering shaft does not have the rag joint, is that correct. If not then can a power steering shaft be used in a manual steering transmission control shaft and outer steering column jacket. Asking this for the purpose of knowing what it would take to convert a 56 from manual to power steering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 You are correct, the shop manual requires the removal of the entire steering column to repair a manual steering gear box. I have power steering and it's a rag joint. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted April 13, 2016 Author Share Posted April 13, 2016 but my question is "Can a manual steering column (which for purpose of this discussion includes the steering transmission control shaft and outer steering column jacket ie the painted piece) be used with a power steering shaft. In other words if someone someone wanted to convert manual to power, could they retain their manual steering column housing and just insert a power steering shaft through it that would mate up to a new power steering gear box (with the rag joint). I suspect they would need to pull the manual steering column in order to do it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted April 14, 2016 Author Share Posted April 14, 2016 The parts book calls out a different number for the reg. (manual) steering gear column jacket than for the power but the transmission control shafts are the same. Have to wonder what the difference is but apparently a conversion would require the power steering gear column to be transferred over. Everybody concur? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted April 14, 2016 Author Share Posted April 14, 2016 Thanks Beemon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 Sorry I should have clarified but the shop manual says the steering column is attached to the manual gear box like a 55. There is no rag joint so I would assume you would have to swap the entire steering column out. Sorry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhigdog Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 (edited) 18 hours ago, MrEarl said: The parts book calls out a different number for the reg. (manual) steering gear column jacket than for the power but the transmission control shafts are the same. Have to wonder what the difference is but apparently a conversion would require the power steering gear column to be transferred over. Everybody concur? I do. That, or POSSIBLY modify the non power jacket..............Bob Edited April 14, 2016 by Bhigdog (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpecialEducation Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 43 minutes ago, Bhigdog said: I do. That, or POSSIBLY modify the non power jacket..............Bob Any idea what that mod entails? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 I would imagine it would be the equivalent of cutting the steering shaft and welding on the bracket for a rag joint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 (edited) You would need to find a bearing to install in the bottom of the column where you cut it. I've done this to an old international pickup that I put on a chevy c10 frame. (wanted to keep original look inside the cab. I LOVE original steering wheels) Edited April 14, 2016 by wndsofchng06 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhigdog Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 40 minutes ago, SpecialEducation said: Any idea what that mod entails? Not a clue. But given enough time and money I'm certain it's doable.....................Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted April 14, 2016 Author Share Posted April 14, 2016 mods tend to make my hair get thin. I'd rather just paint a power steering jacket to match the reg jacket and swap it out. Pulling a gear box from a 56 is so much easier than from a 54-55. The steering column/jacket isn't that bad either. But I was surprised that the engineers couldn't make one jacket work for reg and power. The length of the jackets look to be the same, not sure what the difference is, I didn't look close enough to figure it out, I felt my hair starting to thin. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted April 14, 2016 Author Share Posted April 14, 2016 and even the transmission selector housing and turn signal housing interchange. Everything but the jacket it seams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted April 14, 2016 Author Share Posted April 14, 2016 By the way I have a complete conversion set up scheduled to go on eBay tonight if anybody is interested. Everything from the pitman arm to the horn button. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-g-g0 Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 Don' suppose it would fit a '53 Super? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted April 14, 2016 Author Share Posted April 14, 2016 2 minutes ago, g-g-g0 said: Don' suppose it would fit a '53 Super? see post 11 above Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ttotired Posted April 15, 2016 Share Posted April 15, 2016 If they are anything like the late 50s mopar in general design, the jacket for the manual steering clamps to the steering box, where the power one doesnt (well does on mopar, but inside the car, where the manual is outside, in the engine bay). The manual steering shaft also goes fully into the box and is part of the actual gear drive assembly, the power steering shaft is attached to the box using a tongue and groove setup, held together with a roll pin. Guess the manufacturers of the time figured that the power steering boxes would have to come out more often than the manual ones, so they made it a bit (not much really) easier to get out A grizzle (because I am an auto electrician) is why do people cut the wiring harness when they pull stuff out, really, its not that hard to unplug something and you dont destroy a perfectly good (or relatively easily repaired) wiring harness and it could be saleable if undamaged? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpecialEducation Posted April 15, 2016 Share Posted April 15, 2016 6 hours ago, MrEarl said: By the way I have a complete conversion set up scheduled to go on eBay tonight if anybody is interested. Everything from the pitman arm to the horn button. You gonna give us a link, or make us keep searching? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpecialEducation Posted April 15, 2016 Share Posted April 15, 2016 If the kit is complete, does it include the fastener head so it can be put back on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted April 15, 2016 Author Share Posted April 15, 2016 Decided to put it on here for a couple days Matt. Not sure what are you talking about fastener head. Can't make out what that picture is either guess I need another cup of concede this morning http://forums.aaca.org/topic/275528-1956-power-steering-conversion/#comment-1474174 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted April 15, 2016 Author Share Posted April 15, 2016 (edited) 13 hours ago, Ttotired said: If they are anything like the late 50s mopar in general design, the jacket for the manual steering clamps to the steering box, where the power one doesnt A grizzle (because I am an auto electrician) is why do people cut the wiring harness when they pull stuff out, really, its not that hard to unplug something and you dont destroy a perfectly good (or relatively easily repaired) wiring harness and it could be saleable if undamaged? I have a manual steering 56 and will try and post pics, it looks a lot like the power. I hear you about cutting the wires, and generally try to follow them out and unplug them, but this day I had so much dirt and PB blaster in my eyes I could barely see . I suspect whoever buys this will be able to just plug their original current ones into this column. Edited April 15, 2016 by MrEarl Correct friggin autocorrect (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpecialEducation Posted April 15, 2016 Share Posted April 15, 2016 I'm just playing with you, Lamar. It's been a while since I was under the dash, so I don't remember for sure what goes there, but it sure looks like a screw head has been ground off. By the time someone does all of the work for this conversion, this is pretty inconsequential. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted April 15, 2016 Author Share Posted April 15, 2016 THAT wasn't done by me That is where the horn contact button goes. That picture I was trying to show that the copper fitting inside is still good and intact. That should be worth a few dollars. But if that is all that is needed then I am sure I can scrounge one up 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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