Steering: 1950 Commander/LC Steering Column

[deco_droid]

Quick question on the column, as I can't find any details about this. I am detailing my dash and wondering if it's worth pulling the steering column tube and how hard or easy that would be. If it's fairly easy, I would pull the outer tube and repaint it, as it has a few paint dings and scratches. If hard, I'll just touch up the paint. Has anyone done this recently? Does the chrome collar just unbolt to leave the column free to slide off? Mine is automatic, not sure if that matters. Thanks much.

[52hawk]

[Answering you because no 50 owners have]From what I've heard about the 50's,you might just about destroy the steering wheel trying to pull it.I think I'd touch up the paint!

[bezhawk]

Is it possible to drill and tap the hub, to use a regular puller?

[41 Frank]

I wrestled with how to paint the column on my '52 as well. In the end I opted to sand it down, I then masked off the wheel and the dash, covered the interior with a drop cloth and painted the column and shifter with a rattle can. I then wet sanded it and rubbed it out by hand. Looks great!

[unclemiltie]

There is a special Studebaker Puller, Kent Moore J1594 which works well to pull the wheel, but as mentioned above these wheels are normally brittle and may be damaged if pulled. We all know how hard these wheels are to find. You also have to watch damaging the turn signal wiring if you pull the column cover as the wires are also brittle.

I prefer not to pull the wheels on mine.

[deco_droid]

Well, I have to pull the actual wheel anyway to have the Shrocks cast a new one in a couple months -- the plastic is just too brittle and cracked. I was wondering if it was worth it to pull the column tube though. I didn't think about the wiring inside for the signal being damaged. Maybe I will try sanding it and just covering everything and painting it from inside the car. Does anyone know if I can pull the lower chrome collar thing off easily? Is that the only thing holding the column up? If so, I suppose I can support the tube with some boxes or something to keep it from dropping down too low.

[unclemiltie]

I have never had to pull one on my 50 Commander but I would think it could be removed and the gear box would support the column as long as you did not drive it disconnected

[royvaldez]

Yes, it can be removed. I never had any problems.

[deco_droid]

Thanks guys, I will go ahead and try it then...

[ballroom]

How did you get on removing the wheel - I have got to this on my 50 Commander coupe.

I have a 1950 Commander with auto transmission - any idea what oil I should use? Mike Ellard

[deco_droid]

Hello, I never got to pulling the wheel, because afterwards I had some other issues to attend to. Since getting that all fixed though, I am back to working on the interior. I will probably redo the door panels first though. The wheel recast is around $600 I believe, so I have so save a few pennies first...