Steering column

[voucht]

Thank you Kev', yes, I think I will do it 50/50.

But I'm thinking about skipping the extension:
When I bought my steering rack, the guy also sent me the lower part of the Escort steering column. Here is how it looks.
IMG_1622_1.JPG

So I thought about using it, and just join the 2 steering columns with a short splined shaft. But keeping the Escort column as it is will make it too long.
IMG_1620_1.JPG

So I removed the joint from the Escort column, and I'm thinking about joining the 2 joints with a 250mm splined shaft.
IMG_1626_1.JPG
IMG_1623_1.JPG

I was a bit scared about welding an extension on the Sierra steering column, and I know that SFRO (Swedish equivalent to your IVA) is very regarding about that and the process. But using a splined shaft to join the 2 pieces will save me the risky welding part. It also solve the clearance problem between the extension and U1 (yes Kev', my column is on the left side )

What do you guys think about that? Is there any problem having 2 joints on the same column? Do Sierra and the Escort joints/shafts have the same diameter and number of splines (9/16'' x 36 splines)?

I found the perfect shaft here:
http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/product/S...aft_SPLINED250
It is not cheap, so if anyone has another source for that, I'm interested.

Thanks in advance for your opinions and comments