So uh my 521 steering column broke in half...

[A_Racing_Driver]

I was lucky that it broke while I was backing into my driveway and not when i was driving or i would be in trouble but now i need to fix it, apparently theres a 620 at the auto wrecker will the steering column be able to rep[lace the one i havein my 69 521?

[EastBay521]

Pics or it didnt happen

[flatcat19]

In which way did this break?

 

 

Has this column ever been shortened?

[tr8er]

Did it break the long way? That would be a story. It would also still work though so I bet not.

[A_Racing_Driver]

I personally didn't do anything to it but someone else has cut it open to either shorten it or fix it or something, I haven't cut into it yet but it works sort of to the right then when it turns left it spins freely for about 3 quarters of a turn then i can feel it sort of catch but its doesn't feel right.

[INDY510]

I've had a 510 steering box do that .... are you sure it's in the column?

[datzenmike]

The column and box are one piece so nothing to come apart. I raised my 620 and as the column is bolted to the frame and the body at the other end it had to bend... not a good idea. Only other way would be if it was welded..... badly.

[mklotz70]

my 2 cents.  If it was the column that broke.....at a bad weld or not, I don't think it would work in either direction.  My guess would be it's in the box itself.  Maybe the main shaft wasn't centered correctly?  Maybe the top bearing that holds the top of the ball screw broke and is allowing the shaft to move up in the tube when turned in one direction.  In the other direction, the screw would pull it down in.  

 

Definitely take some pics and let us know exactly what happened.

 

And to answer your question.....if it's a drum brake 620, the column might work.  I don't think it will if it's a ball joint truck.  The parts manuals are online.....you can check them for a better answer.

[mklotz70]

I just read that last comment again......you said someone else has cut into it.  As said previous.....good chance it's a weld, but I'm still betting on the box. :)

[MikeRL411]

Welding a tube is tricky!  You can't just make a 90 degree cut across the tube and then try to weld a good connection.  You really need to make 2 spiral cuts, realign them and pray that you were sober wnen you cut out the short segment, and make a really well thought out series of spot and ultimately full penetration welds to connect the shortened column.

[G-Duax]

There is also the possibility that the steering wheel retention nut backed off, and the wheel is slipping on the shaft.

[datzenmike]

It's splined. It would have to pull back towards the driver over an inch to clear them..... not impossible though..

[G-Duax]

They have a slight taper on the spline, so they don't have to come back a whole lot.

And I have seen abused ones that were run lose, and the splines have worn enough that unless they are really tight, will slip.

 

But until the OP actually digs into it, we are all just speculating.

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

PICS!!!

[socaldatsun]

i have a 620 column in my 521. the earlier years without ball joints fit. they look identical to the 521.

[uberkevin]

That's really good to know!