Steering Shaft Mount, 3/4 Shaft, Weld On Style with Bearing

OVERVIEW

When you''re tearing through the dunes or navigating technical off-road trails, the last thing you want is "slop" in your steering wheel. The Latest Rage Weld-On Steering Shaft Mount is the definitive solution for builders who demand precision and durability in their custom air-cooled VW projects. Unlike standard economy mounts that utilize simple brass bushings, this heavy-duty unit features a high-quality needle bearing assembly. This design significantly reduces friction and eliminates the binding often associated with lower-grade components, ensuring that every input you make at the wheel translates directly to the spindles. It is specifically engineered to be welded onto 1-1/2 inch tubing, making it the industry standard for windshield bars on sand rails, dune buggies, and custom Baja Bug roll cages.

Construction and reliability are at the forefront of this Latest Rage design. The mount is built to withstand the rigorous vibrations and lateral loads common in off-road environments. By incorporating a sealed needle bearing rather than a traditional bushing, this mount offers a much longer service life and a smoother "cockpit feel" that professional racers and serious enthusiasts prefer. The 3/4 inch bore is perfectly sized for the most common aftermarket steering shafts, providing a snug, secure fit. Whether you are building a ground-up tube chassis rail or upgrading the steering geometry on a classic Woods Buggy, this weld-on mount provides the structural integrity and mechanical fluidness required for high-performance driving. It is a "set it and forget it" component that elevates the quality of any steering system.

FITMENT

This is a universal weld-on component designed for custom fabrication. It is most commonly used on the following air-cooled VW-based vehicles and custom tube chassis:

• Sand Rails & Dune Buggies: Fits all custom tube frames utilizing a 1-1/2 inch windshield or dash bar.
• Baja Bugs: Ideal for custom interior roll cages and steering column relocations.
• Manx & Fiberglass Buggies: Used when installing a custom steering column to a roll bar.
• Off-Road Race Cars: Suitable for Class 1, Class 5-1600, and Class 11 builds requiring a 3/4 inch shaft support.
• Custom Fabrication: Compatible with any 1-1/2 inch OD (Outer Diameter) tubing.

SPECS

Technical specifications for the AC425017-3B steering mount:

• Shaft Compatibility: Designed for 3/4 inch diameter steering shafts.
• Mounting Surface: Contoured to fit 1-1/2 inch (1.5") OD tubing.
• Bearing Type: High-precision needle bearing (superior to brass bushings).
• Sealing: Includes integrated seal to keep out dust, sand, and grit.
• Overall Length: 5.144 inches.
• Overall Width: 4.5 inches.
• Overall Height: 2.0 inches.
• Material: Weldable mild steel housing for maximum strength and ease of installation.
• Installation Style: Weld-on (requires professional welding equipment).

PRO TIPS

Pro Tip #1: Protect the Bearing During Welding. Before you strike an arc, it is absolutely critical to remove the needle bearing and seal from the housing if possible, or use a heat sink/wet rag method to prevent heat soak. Excessive heat from welding the mount to your 1-1/2 inch bar can liquefy the bearing grease or distort the bearing race, leading to premature failure. Always tack weld the mount in four corners first, check your steering shaft alignment for binding, and then proceed with short beads to manage the heat displacement.

Pro Tip #2: Achieve Perfect Alignment. Never weld the mount in a permanent position without the steering shaft physically passing through it and connected to your steering box or rack. Even a slight angle offset can cause the shaft to bind against the needle bearings, which will create a "notchy" feeling in the steering wheel. Slide the shaft through the mount, connect both ends of your steering linkage, and rotate the wheel lock-to-lock to ensure there is zero resistance before you finish your final welds.

Pro Tip #3: Maintenance and Finishing. After welding is complete and the metal has cooled, ensure you clean the interior bore of any slag or debris before re-installing the bearing. Since this is a weld-on steel part, it will rust if left bare. We recommend painting or powder-coating the mount housing, but be sure to mask off the bearing seat and the internal bore. A small dab of high-quality synthetic grease on the needle bearings during final assembly will ensure your steering remains buttery smooth for years of off-road abuse.