Hello all
I was wondering what the pros and cons would be on modifing your oval steering column so it become a collasable one?
Cheers :bounce:bounce

I want to do this to my bug too. I would imagine the Pros would be: big steel rod NOT going through your chest if you crash, and the only Con I can think of is your car is no longer original.

yeah i was thinking of doing this when i do my pan swap, not only for the safety factor but also because you get an ignition/steering lock.

If your going to the trouble then get a Golf series 1 coloum and adapt it as i did into my Orange car. You get all the benefits as well.

Can you perform it w/o having to use the later model ignition switch and wiper stalks etc.

If you want to perform the surgery then i suspose any thing is possible.

what is better about a golf column?

You could probably have the collapsible section of a post 68 1500 welded in to your original column. They're a very simple design.

Yes that is what I was thinking of doing:vader

Is there any way to bolt it onto the old section rather than weld? ie: is there enough length to bolt the two lengths together outside the fixed tube under the dash with a sleeve or similar? I just have this vague recollection from somewhere about engineers and Transport authorities having the heebie geebies about welds on steering columns.

Whats good about the Golf coloum
1. its got a small spline that you can get after market steering wheels for.

2. its got a nice steering lock

3. got high beam dipper switch on the blinker arm

4 got intermitiant wiper switch position

5 got a electric washer switch installed

6 pull on the wiper stork and it washers n wipes 3 times.

7 its neat and looks clean and simple

8 does not rely on the negative wiring system to operate the horn.

9 there CHEAP, and adaptable.

10. forgot to add that each system has its own quick disconnect wiring plug and harness, one for the blinkers, one for the wipers, one for the ignition.

[Edited on 13-2-2003 by vw54]

and besides all that i like them

Ah live on the edge I say. Leave it stock.
I reckon that your head would be smashed against the windcreen before the steering colum did any damage.

I'd miss that luverly foot operated dipper switch too. For people with big clumsy feet its so cool that it dips the lights every time you push in the clutch

Dean u saying yr FEET are too big ???

penguin, what they don't know won't hurt 'em. Just be careful to make it is AT LEAST as good as stock. I have welded the steering columns on my 4x4 with an arc-welder quite successfully and have tested it to the extreme with no sign of failure yet.

Engineers are only interested in checking that a) you have not introduced any weaknesses into the vehicle, or b) you have not increased the performance of the vehicle, making the stock components insufficient for the new performance levels.

might the golf system which I think uses a couple of Uni joints, make it fit better under the Oval tank.? (I supose anything looks alright after a couple of Join.s....).
I intend to do the improvement to mine "one day".

Yeah, I might look at a joint in thte column instead of a weld. I want to have a 'safe' drive, so everything is going to meet requirements (unless they're really over the top). I have a collapsable section from a '68 or '69, so I will get a section attached to the lower half of my '56 'steel spear'. Besides, I don't have a '56 fuel tank, the guy I bought 'step child' from, put a later model tank into it. Mind you, I am contemplatling going back to a '56 and try that reserve handle thing

Grab a 68 column and chuck it in. I have one in my 63 beetle. Jay has one in hers as well. No cutting, welding, modifiying needed at all. And if you put the ivory cover that goes down under the dash board then you will have it looking very orignal. The only way to tell its different is to look under the fuel tank and see the mesh bit underneath. How often do you look under their. NO steering wheels in my face thank you!

Cheers,
wil see if the whole column fits now, rather than do some butchery.
BTW Herbie, still got those seat bases? I e-mailed you trying to find out where to send the money before Xmas.
Chris (Penguin)

[size=4]One of the reasons [only 1] I like the 1968 Beetle is because of the collapsable steering column.. Its NOT that You hit them.. Its when they are pushed out from a collision with something... When the Steering Box gets pushed forward... the steering wheel also goes..They can easily save Your life... and isn't that worth saving?. I know mine is!![/size] :o:thumb