Steering: Steering Column Seal is not being reproduced, any suggestions?

[Geigs]

Hi,
I'm in search of a steering column seal that attaches to the firewall and wraps around the steering column. I've called several vendors and have been told the part is not available. It's for a 56H sedan with power steering and Flight O Matic. The current seal is ripped and torn with a piece missing, so any options or alternatives suggested would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[RadioRoy]

The best thing is to patch yours. The power steering seal for 53-56 is an interesting beast. Maybe a patch could be fashioned from a floor shifter boot.

[bezhawk]

Home Depot roof vent flashing works great

[Paul Keller]

You might try after-market steering column suppliers (like Flaming River) for a seal that they use that could also be adapted to your special car. Also, Speedway has a few listed. (not being a '56 owner, I am not familiar w/ your specific need).
Paul TK

[drrotor]

I made one for my '64 Dahtona out of a truck rubber mud flap. It was big, flat, and tough as nails. Had to saw it into shape with a sharp razor knife. Looked almost factory when finished, though...

[Mrs K Corbin]

+1 mud flap

[Mike Van Veghten]

You can't make one from a different car work ?
It wasn't that long ago that I bought two for my 54 wagons from SI.
The steering and trans. don't matter, it's just a squarish piece with a hole in the center.

Mike

[LugNut]

If you go the "Mud Flap" route, NAPA has A good one in stock, that's what I used for the 1/4" body shims. Cuts good with a hack saw or sabre saw.

[RadioRoy]

You can't make one from a different car work ?
It wasn't that long ago that I bought two for my 54 wagons from SI.
The steering and trans. don't matter, it's just a squarish piece with a hole in the center.

Mike

On cars equipped with Saginaw power steering, the boot is very large and deep and extends into the passenger compartment. The shifter arms come up through the floor into the passenger compartment. The boot is not at all like the relatively flat ones in standard steering equipped cars.

That's why I suggested modifying a floor shifter boot. Maybe a CV joint boot would work.

[Geigs]

Thanks for all the suggestions. So far, parts have been so easy to find; I can't believe there is not one seal out there somewhere. The part number is 306908. Before I attempt to fabricate one, I'm going to take Paul's advice and look outside of Studebaker vendors. If I have to fabricate one, I'll be sure to post a picture of it. No matter how bad it looks, I expect you all to pretend that I did a good job.

[Geigs]

Hi all, what do you think of using something like this: http://www.dynamat.com/automotive-an...ation/dynapad/
Seems pretty straight forward.

[hausdok]

Steven,

Can you take a picture of the damaged seal with a couple of one-foot rulers alongside two sides to show the length and width of the seal and what it looks like?

[hausdok]

Does anything here look promising?

http://www.oatey.com/products/flashings/roof-flashings

[Bob Andrews]

[Geigs]

I will contact Jim and take some pictures of the seal. Roof flashings and mud flaps. Fantastic! BTW, just updated my photo album to include the write up on this car from the 1989 issue of Turning Wheels, if anyone is interested.