The Ford Barn

The Geezer · 11-07-2022, 06:26 PM

Looking to buy an A-3520-E steering column bracket.

JoeCB · 11-07-2022, 09:47 PM

I just did it on my 31 coupe. I've had the bracket sitting on the shelf for a couple of years, finally did it. No gas leak, just precautionary. Easy install. Make a paper pattern of the three holes to mark the location of the one that must be drilled. An angle drill with stubby drill bit works well. Of course, first remove the "dash" panel for access.
Joe B

marty in Ohio · 11-08-2022, 07:14 AM

Geezer, Snyder's has them. I bought one a couple weeks ago. Only took an hour to install it on my '30 town sedan, including cutting off the one on the gas tank.
Marty

pjdeb · 11-08-2022, 09:34 AM

Do you need to cut the old one off? If yes, how did you cut it off?

Benson · 11-08-2022, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjdeb

Do you need to cut the old one off? If yes, how did you cut it off?

No you do not need to cut it off.

When I "upgraded" my 29 Coupe 15 years ago I left the old bracket in case someone in the furure wants to remove the later bracket and restore it to original.

Just leave off the rubber "gasket" that way you are sure that no additional strain is put on the tank, which is why they leak in the first place.

ALSO: If you put too much heat on the bracket while cutting it the solder that seals bracket to tank could melt and then you have a tank which REALLY leaks.

Synchro909 · 11-08-2022, 03:44 PM

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Until I started making them, RHD versions of those brackets were not available. There are so many copies around now, I no longer bother but when I need one, I cut off the original clamp with a cutoff wheel in my angle grinder and use it as part of one I fabricate. I make them in such a way that they double as mounting brackets for instruments, warning lights (turn indicators etc) and switches. IMO, that is a better location for those things than any of those gauge mounts from the vendors.

pjdeb · 11-08-2022, 09:29 PM

When I look at the bracket shown on the sites of various suppliers, I can not determine if they differ or are all the same. Do some have two bolts holes? Do all have three and require the third be drilled?

Synchro909 · 11-09-2022, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjdeb

When I look at the bracket shown on the sites of various suppliers, I can not determine if they differ or are all the same. Do some have two bolts holes? Do all have three and require the third be drilled?

1928/29 supports have 2 holes and the 30/31 ones have 3. They are also different lengths.

marty in Ohio · 11-09-2022, 07:40 AM

I have to agree with Synchro, there are evidently two different lengths. We replaced one on a friends '30 coupe and the length was a little longer. When I did mine two weeks later I had to cut the old one off. The first one was old and my friend had it for years. Never put it on till he had a gas leak. The one that I put it on my car had three holes in it, but only two were necessary. Now my steering wheel is about an inch higher, which is a good thing. Oh, by the way, I cut the old one off with a hacksaw. A new sharp blade - no problem.
Marty

Dino's A · 11-09-2022, 09:54 AM

I just did this on my 1930 Tudor. Snyders unit. I sanded the rough casting
so it looked nicer. Now at the lower bracket, there is a good size gap.

I was amazed how solid the column is now. I can pull on it every way, and the column
does not come close to touching the lower bracket. When I mean solid, I mean solid!

My opinion: Do it now, BEFORE you have to deal with a leak!

11-07-2022, 06:26 PM	#1
The Geezer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: The Villages FL Posts: 135	Steering column bracket Looking to buy an A-3520-E steering column bracket. __________________ “Finally driving a car older than me!”

11-07-2022, 09:47 PM	#2
JoeCB Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Farmington MI Posts: 284	Re: Steering column bracket I just did it on my 31 coupe. I've had the bracket sitting on the shelf for a couple of years, finally did it. No gas leak, just precautionary. Easy install. Make a paper pattern of the three holes to mark the location of the one that must be drilled. An angle drill with stubby drill bit works well. Of course, first remove the "dash" panel for access. Joe B

11-08-2022, 07:14 AM	#3
marty in Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Elyria, Ohio Posts: 757	Re: Steering column bracket Geezer, Snyder's has them. I bought one a couple weeks ago. Only took an hour to install it on my '30 town sedan, including cutting off the one on the gas tank. Marty

11-08-2022, 09:34 AM	#4
pjdeb Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: The Villages, FL Posts: 103	Re: Steering column bracket Do you need to cut the old one off? If yes, how did you cut it off?

11-08-2022, 03:44 PM	#6
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Steering column bracket Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Until I started making them, RHD versions of those brackets were not available. There are so many copies around now, I no longer bother but when I need one, I cut off the original clamp with a cutoff wheel in my angle grinder and use it as part of one I fabricate. I make them in such a way that they double as mounting brackets for instruments, warning lights (turn indicators etc) and switches. IMO, that is a better location for those things than any of those gauge mounts from the vendors. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

11-08-2022, 09:29 PM	#7
pjdeb Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: The Villages, FL Posts: 103	Re: Steering column bracket When I look at the bracket shown on the sites of various suppliers, I can not determine if they differ or are all the same. Do some have two bolts holes? Do all have three and require the third be drilled?

11-09-2022, 07:40 AM	#9
marty in Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Elyria, Ohio Posts: 757	Re: Steering column bracket I have to agree with Synchro, there are evidently two different lengths. We replaced one on a friends '30 coupe and the length was a little longer. When I did mine two weeks later I had to cut the old one off. The first one was old and my friend had it for years. Never put it on till he had a gas leak. The one that I put it on my car had three holes in it, but only two were necessary. Now my steering wheel is about an inch higher, which is a good thing. Oh, by the way, I cut the old one off with a hacksaw. A new sharp blade - no problem. Marty

11-09-2022, 09:54 AM	#10
Dino's A Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Arcadia, Ca. Posts: 251	Re: Steering column bracket I just did this on my 1930 Tudor. Snyders unit. I sanded the rough casting so it looked nicer. Now at the lower bracket, there is a good size gap. I was amazed how solid the column is now. I can pull on it every way, and the column does not come close to touching the lower bracket. When I mean solid, I mean solid! My opinion: Do it now, BEFORE you have to deal with a leak!