7 tooth steering column misalignment.

[PatrickTA]

So I’m working on a 7 tooth steering column. I have alignment problem between the upper and lower bushings of the column.
I was thinking of cutting the tube about half way thru. Which should allow the tube to flex and should be able to realign the bushings. Then weld back up the tube.
Thoughts?
And yes the steering shaft itself is stright.

 

[dave in australia]

Do you mean the bushes on either side of the worm gear thrust bearings, or between the upper anti rattle bush near the steering wheel and the bush at the base of the column above the worm thrust bearing. If it is the anti rattle bush and the upper worm bush, the column can be tweaked in a press with shaped wooden cradles to support the column without deforming it. Most of the columns I have, have a slight bow in them caused by 95 years of people pulling themselves into the car by the steering wheel. I would not cut and weld the column.