My 25 coupe has a 2" crack in the top side of the steering housing running down from one of the two rivets up near the steering wheel. Can this be safely welded or brazed or should it be replaced? It is not safe the way it is.
I had a similar problem with my '25 roadster column. Since mine is a "barn find", it took me a while to find a matching patina replacement, but I did, and don't recall paying much for it at a swap meet (if I bought it, it was CHEAP!). If your car is restored, you have more options, as a rusty one can be restored as well as a nice one. Of course, then there is the problem of changing the spark & throttle rods and the steering gear, if yours are nicely restored.
I don't think I'd want to trust a braze on the outside to fix this. As you note, it isn't safe when the steering gear box can twist around on a cracked column!
Does anyone have one they would be willing to sell?
If you have 5 to 1 seems to be a common problem maybe more so with 21 inch tires. I would replace it. I replaced one on a 26 coupe (21's) that was cracked almost all the way around and have seen several others with cracks.
A good welder should be able to TIG or MIG weld it in the car. A little grinding and some paint and you're done.
Jerry's right. Not a hard fix at all. JMHO Dave