steering shaft conversion

[Hwy78Cruiser]

The "rag joint" on my '66 steering shaft decomposed and is toast. I can get a new one by Borgeson (US made). However, my shop is recommending I switch over to a Borgeson telescoping/collapsible shaft, for improved safety and a tighter "feel" in the steering. Seems like worthy advice.

Anyone have any experience, good, bad, or otherwise, with such a conversion?

Thanks in advance.

[Otto Skorzeny]

I've never heard of it. How is it safer?

I'd swap out the faulty part(s) and leave well enough alone. No need to fix what ain't broke on an antique car.

[Hwy78Cruiser]

That's the way I was leaning Otto so thanks for helping sway me with some good old fashioned reasoning. Increased safety due to collapsing steering shaft in the event of a head-on.

Mark

[Otto Skorzeny]

I get that a lot with my cars that only have lap belts and a couple that have no seat belts at all.

A collapsing steering column isn't going to make much of a difference if you're in a wreck bad enough to need one.

Also, head-on collisions are extremely rare under normal driving conditions in normal modern cars. I'm sure you're paying extra close attention while driving your Toronado. I don't think you have anything to worry about.

It's like the dual reservoir master cylinder "upgrade" argument. Why? Every car I own with the exception of the 1979 Ford pickup has a single reservoir brake system. Never once in my entire life have I experienced a loss of brakes. Open the hood frequently and pay attention to everything on your car and you won't have to worry about total brake failure.