Steering column support bracket

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Allen Banks
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 Roadster
Location: Columbus, Ohio

Steering column support bracket

Post by Allen Banks » Mon Feb 18, 2019 7:56 am

We're these an after market product? If so what weakens to make an owner need one?
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DanTreace
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Re: Steering column support bracket

Post by DanTreace » Mon Feb 18, 2019 8:30 am

Popular accessory for T’s without a metal dash panel factory column clamp. First T’s with those were built about April 1923.

Earlier ones had only 2 point connection for the long steering column, at the frame and at the firewall. Was about sufficient for many owners but some wished for more stable column. Wood firewall was good but the change to thinner metal firewall caused Ford to add the dash panel support too.
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford


Rich Bingham
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Re: Steering column support bracket

Post by Rich Bingham » Mon Feb 18, 2019 9:02 am

Original wood dash with a solid maple core was pretty stout ; replacement plywood can get "mushy" in time especially if the driver likes to grab the wheel to lever himself into the seat. The additional bracket makes the column rigid. Good idea !
"Get a horse !"


John kuehn
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Re: Steering column support bracket

Post by John kuehn » Mon Feb 18, 2019 9:53 am

I bought a repo for my 21 Touring with the wood firewall. It does make the steering column more stable for sure. The later models had the column secured directly to the metal dash.
The one I have is a Apco reproduction that does the job. I recommend it and it won’t hurt a thing. Overtime these were needed back in the T era when folks would really use their cars.

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DanTreace
Posts: 3299
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:56 am
First Name: Dan
Last Name: Treace
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '23 cutoff, '25 touring, '27 touring
Location: North Central FL
MTFCA Number: 4838
MTFCI Number: 115
Board Member Since: 2000
Contact:

Re: Steering column support bracket

Post by DanTreace » Mon Feb 18, 2019 12:17 pm

Several of the braces were avail early on, the APCO most famous. Could be had in the curved style for the metal dash, and early straight, usually without the horn tube notch for the flat wood firewalls.

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My '23 cutoff came with this farmer made brace, forged in fire with split and added bracket under to wrap to steering column. Ingenious endeavor :)


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The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford


Don Conklin
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Re: Steering column support bracket

Post by Don Conklin » Mon Feb 18, 2019 12:55 pm

I have 2 "T's" with wooden firewalls that I have towed many miles on a single axel unsprung trailer. I can see the steering wheel in my rear view mirror. The wheel really moves around. I think when you are driving these cars your hand or hands on the wheel really dampens this motion. Both cars now the supports, they are effective.


John kuehn
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Re: Steering column support bracket

Post by John kuehn » Mon Feb 18, 2019 1:10 pm

The more I drive My 21 Touring after installing the Apco brace I can imagine back in the day the column would get looser after a fairly short time. I installed a new wood firewall when I restored the car and the column was pretty rigid but after I installed the Apco brace it just seemed better with the extra support.

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