Sorry Biba, A collapsing column is designed to reduce the risk of the column coming toward you in the event of a frontal impact. Belting up doesn't make any difference as this only prevents you moving toward the column.
Of course if you don't wear a seatbelt then it won't matter whether you weld it or not. Try this experiment: Replace your steering wheel centre cap with a four-inch long sharpened steel spike. Even if you do wear your seatbelt I'll bet you drive slower and take a just a little bit more care, even though there is still no chance of you copping that spike in the chest ;-) Mind-over-matter. Beatle Oz -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Friday, 30 December 2011 10:15 AM To: AD Subject: [alfa] GTV 6 steering column bushing problem Or...you could just remove the part and have the tabs welded. Some weld it on the car, I wouldn't. In theory the rubber center is supposed to be some sort of a collapsable steering shaft in case of an accident. Since you of course always buckle up, it is not longer needed. Center the middle tang then weld up both sides. Us Alfetta GT folk have been doing it for years. A nice side effect is that you no longer need the short wire for the horn so it works much better. You will notice no difference than it felt before the rubber 'let go'. Do not go overboard on the heat when welding since the rubber still needs to stabilize/contain the lower shaft. Biba Irwindale, CA USA -- to be removed from alfa, see http://www.digest.net/bin/digest-subs.cgi or email "unsubscribe alfa" to [email protected] -- to be removed from alfa, see http://www.digest.net/bin/digest-subs.cgi or email "unsubscribe alfa" to [email protected]
