Chestnuts roasting on an open fire

[jvincig01]

So my cruiser has this problem. Air comes through the rubber boot around the steering column. I put a light behind it so you can see.

This air is hot and blows right onto my lap. Not good.

Anyone have a recommendation on how to fix this without replacing it? It’s not torn and seems in good shape.

 

[charliemeyer007]

I think there is a gasket/seal that fits there. Field expedient - clean the engine side of the fire wall in that area, wrap that shaft zone area with aluminum foil (several layers will make a nice sliding gasket) spray foam over the aluminum foil and onto the clean fire wall - sealed.

 

[Jdc1]

So my cruise has this problem. Air comes through the rubber boot around the steering column. I put a light behind it so you can see.

This air is hot and blows right onto my lap. Not good.

Anyone have a recommendation on how to fix this without replacing it? It’s not torn and seems in good shape.

View attachment 3410969

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[firemanj92]

What about butyl tape or caulk rope found at HD/Lowes or Amazon?

 

[jvincig01]

What about butyl tape or caulk rope found at HD/Lowes or Amazon?

The only issue is the column linkage moves. So whatever I wrap around it to fill the gap won't stay or glide well enough.

 

[firemanj92]

Yeah, it looks like the hole for the column shifter was cut too big. I have a column shifter and when I replaced the #55122-60021 (shield column hole) I made the hole a little smaller than the shift stalk. Can you slide a large o ring over it? Insulation/weatherstrip foam or cut a new sheet of rubber with smaller hole - and just split it to slide it around the stalk. You should be able to encompass the hole with foam then sandwich it between the bracket and firewall.

 

[jvincig01]

Yeah, it looks like the hole for the column shifter was cut too big. I have a column shifter and when I replaced the #55122-60021 (shield column hole) I made the hole a little smaller than the shift stalk. Can you slide a large o ring over it? Insulation foam or cut a new sheet of rubber with smaller hole - and just split it to slide it around the stalk. You should be able to encompass the hole with foam then sandwich it between the bracket and firewall.

Great idea! I am going to give it a shot. Thank you!

 

[Paul_A]

Spray the shafts with oil but NOT the firewall, spray foam/insulate the area with fire stop. It will not stick to oil so the shafts will turn but the insulation will be stuck to the firewall. Do it neat and it will look like it was done on purpose.

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

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[Jdc1]

View attachment 3411052

I’m talking about the firewall not the chestnuts, hopefully you are too….

 

[cruisermatt]

Why not just replace the gasket? They’re like $35. 55122-60021.

What is with all the spray foam recommendations??

 

[jvincig01]

Why not just replace the gasket? They’re like $35. 55122-60021.

What is with all the spray foam recommendations??

I actually don’t think it’s the gasket though. When i inspect it, it looks good.

 

[firemanj92]

So for reference, here is a picture of my steering column with shifter. The gasket was cut just a little smaller than shift linkage to seal out the heat, that includes a flood lamp on the engine side of firewall

 

[liko]

Can try heating it with a heat gun and reform it, careful with the heat.

 

[jvincig01]

So for reference, here is a picture of my steering column with shifter. The gasket was cut just a little smaller than shift linkage to seal out the heat, that includes a flood lamp on the engine side of firewall

View attachment 3411319

I think this is the route I am going to go. Thank you!

 

[firemanj92]

That metal steering shield cover is split and sandwiches the rubber 55122-60021. It does not have the small hole cut for the column shifter as it's for both column and floor shifter applications. The previous owner of our LC used a sheet of rubber and made a make shift gasket that worked until I got to it. Both holes were split from top only so one didn't have to take the steering wheel, blinker stock, or shifter off.