Best bolt-on steering brace

BrianF

Member
Hi
I looked around the site and the only bolt on brace I see is a diagonal piece of flatbar. Its bolted from the top of steering box to the center floor. What is the good, the bad, and the ugly of doing it this way. And I can't believe I haven't installed one yet.
Your thoughts?
Thanks
Brian
 
Hey Brian,
Before I installed mine I had the same question.
Might be a good idea to actually get a good look at the movement of that steering box before you decide. Have someone get in and crank the wheel while you watch under the hood. This will help determine where the brace will do the most good in stopping the movement.
From there you will need to assess your resources and skills to make & install the brace. At the time about half of the braces I saw were welded on and the others bolted on.
In my case, I had no access to a welder, so that was out. I had a nice piece of flat steel, so from there it was measuring, drilling, and installing.
Let us know what you decide to do and show a picture of the finished product.
Good luck!
 
Last edited:

BrianF

Member
Hi
Just looked at my steering box area and noticed my early car (100078) has no tab to bolt the brace to. The tab looks like it holds the e-brake linkage. So nothing to bolt to on the center of the car. Might have to drill holes and bolt something up. looking for ideas.
Thanks
Brian
 

BrianF

Member
Hi
I have a hard time posting photos so look at...
"Amphicar mods"
and jfreese has some photos of a brace that goes diagonally from one of the top steering box bolts down to the center of the car and bolts to a tab. I do not have that tab. Since I do not have that tab I may have to go with a brace that goes on the drivers side and bolts to the inner wheel well. any info on that.
I do need a brace. I set up my phone camera and turned wheel back and forth and top of steering box moves, kinda scary.
Gord if your out there do you have a bolt on brace? I know you will know where and how to drill and bolt properly.
1588791835590.jpeg
 

SNOWBIRD

Amphicar Expert
I weld a plate to side fender, then use this T brace to bolt on. !00% fix, never any movement.(I have seen steering boxes break right off)100_2761.JPG
 

BrianF

Member
Hi Gord
Thanks for the response. Do you have brackets in stock, and can they be bolted instead of welded?
Thanks
Brian
 

SNOWBIRD

Amphicar Expert
I custom make them for each car. There welded and then bolted. will take a pic of one in shop That is in bare car.
 

SNOWBIRD

Amphicar Expert
Here is a pic of welding and bracket on car in shop, bolts go right threw and welded on outside.john primer 009.JPGop.
 

Attachments

  • john primer 010.JPG
    john primer 010.JPG
    361.8 KB · Views: 21
Gord, that's the most substantial steering box brace I have seen yet!. I still need to put one on my Amphi. great food for thought! Brian, I didn't have that tab either (early car too, #218). The tab was for mounting the magneto (fuel shutoff) valve to on later cars. I welded one on to relocate the magneto valve off my master cylinder mount bolt.
 
Last edited:

BrianF

Member
Hi
Thanks Gord, I appreciate you sharing your wisdom. A welded brace, water/land tranny seal, and a few other chores will have to wait until this winter. My service is done for this year and I'm towing car back to Maine for the summer.
Thanks
Brian
 
I was over at Mark Amsdill's shop and he is working on a green car which has yet another version of the brace.
The plate is substantial and holds very well. Obviously the gas tank must be removed to install the plate.
Brace2.jpg
 
Top