Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1949 buick steering, 1949 buick roadmaster, buick roadmaster

Question
QUESTION: I have a 1949 buick roadmaster, series 71, showcar. when I turn the steering to the right, all is fine. when I turn to the left, the wheels do not turn, and the steering wheel will unscrew right up out of the steering column, ALMOST all of the way.Then back to the right it will tighten up again. Any ideas?

ANSWER: The nut securing the end of your steering shaft into the steering box has come loose, or was never secured in the restoration.

Replace it and/or tighten it, and you should be good to go.

--Paul

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks for your reply. however this has been welded, and cotter pinned into place. any more ideas? Thanks, Dan

ANSWER: Well, Dan, somehow your shaft is moving in and out in the steering box. It's time for a partial disassembly. I'd check for a broken weld, too.

--Paul

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Paul, I just went in the garage and looked at the gear box. It appears that the steering COLUMN goes all the way to the gear box. there are connections and wires attached to some sort of collar at that area. how in the world would I get the column out of the way to look at the shaft? Thanks again, Dan

Answer
Dan looking at your original question, I noticed you said the following:

"the steering wheel will unscrew right up out of the steering column, ALMOST all of the way".

This is indication of a steering shaft that is not secured at the steering box end.

Not being a '49 Buick specialist, however, I am not able to give you specific, fool-proof directions for removing the column casing. It does remove easily enough, from my own experiences over the years, but if you are not well-equipped with tools, and can't deduce how to do this yourself, I'd advise you to first call the shop that rebuilt the box, and then have the car flatbedded to a competent vintage car mechanic in your area.

That's the best I can do right now. Additonally, the suddeen onset of this problem leads me to suspect a break in the shaft or its weld, right down at the very front, forward of the worm gear portion of the shaft.

Let me know how this goes.

--Paul