11/25/2025
This is called a “tension” rod. It is meant to create tension and is made out of soft aluminum.
This is used in a conversion solely for the purpose of creating tension in the belt.
This should NEVER be used as a support to hold up your entire steering wheel and column. A fabricator in Elizabethton, Kentucky has been known to use this as the sole support of the entire right hand, drive steering wheel and column.
That is extremely dangerous and negligent on the fabricators part.
That will not survive an accident and will most likely strip or break loose after enough vibration and normal use.
If you loosen this and your entire steering wheel and column come loose, I would suggest contacting that fabricator to fix it correctly.
Most of us use some type of waiver that needs to be signed prior to conversion, but everyone should know that if your conversion fails, falls apart or doesn’t function correctly due to negligence they are 100% still legally liable.
Don’t settle for this kind of work it will get you hurt or somebody else.
If you loosen this tension rod, and your whole system gets loose get it fixed as soon as possible this is highly dangerous.
I am a former RCA and still have family in the business for over 20 years… this is not acceptable in my mind. It’s not about just taking the paycheck and sending the people on the road or some junk system…. Do it right or get out of the business!