1956 Chevrolet 210 - Super Chevy Magazine

Aging can be a tough process. Some folks notice small aches and pains starting in just their mid-30s. Luckily we have doctors, exercise programs and even pills to "enhance performance." So what about that 50-year-old car you may have sitting in your driveway? What has been done to it to enhance its performance?

Brakes, wheels, tires and even engine swaps are great, but what about the steering? Is the shaft getting sloppy seconds from the box? Even if you think it performs well, it might not do as well as you think. After all, a 50-year-old steering box and column have many a moving part that (like anything else mechanical) wears out with age.

Such was the case with this '56 Chevy 210. It was in dire need of some help in the steering department. Starting with the steering box, we chose Performance Online's new 600 power steering box. This box is not a rebuild or refurbished unit. It is brand new and even better, it's made in the USA. The steering box is complete with the latest in steering technology including a rack and pinion-style servo.

The steering shaft we used was from ididit. It is one of its paintable steel columns. It comes with a four-way flasher, canceling turn signals, 3 7/8 wiring harness and is complete with a neutral safety switch and a connection to the original dash bezel indicator.

The nice thing about this column is the fact that if you choose to maintain the stock look, the paintable option is nice. But we choose to deviate from the stock look and threw on a killer steering wheel from Billet Specialties. Take a look and follow along with us.

When it comes to an installation, we like to lay everything out and take inventory of all the necessary pieces prior to putting them all in. Here you can see the ididit column and hardware and Performance Online 600 steering box. The Billet Specialties wheel arrived a few days later, so we don't have pictures of it in the prep phase.
When it comes to an installation, we like to lay everything out and take inventory of all
Before the new Performance Online 600 box is installed, a bench install of the rag Joint from the ididit column will expedite the process. We learned this the hard way.
Before the new Performance Online 600 box is installed, a bench install of the rag Joint f
The new 600 steering box installs on the frame right where the old OEM one used to be. You may notice that the rag joint is not in this photo- like we said, sometimes we like to do the things the hard way. After installing the steering box we figured it was easier to install the rag joint first.
The new 600 steering box installs on the frame right where the old OEM one used to be. You

The new pitman arm supplied by Performance Online is next up. After the install it should be torqued to 100 ft-lbs.
The new pitman arm supplied by Performance Online is next up. After the install it should
After the pitman arm, the centerlink hardware is an easy install.

Now let's step back inside the vehicle and install the lower bracket to the firewall, which supports the column. All the bracketry is supplied by ididit. You should have no surprises or emergency trips to the local parts house. And that is always a nice time saver.
Now let's step back inside the vehicle and install the lower bracket to the firewall, whic
Next is the removal of the neutral safety switch, in order to slide the seal in place. The seal is not necessary, but in this case we want to maintain as much a stock appearance as possible.
Next is the removal of the neutral safety switch, in order to slide the seal in place. The

Just below the neutral safety switch the lower steering column seals are attached to the bottom of the shaft.
Just below the neutral safety switch the lower steering column seals are attached to the b
The new iditit steering column is slid into place and the upper steering column bracket is tightened down. At this point most of the labor is behind you.
The new iditit steering column is slid into place and the upper steering column bracket is
With the column solidly in place, the lower seal is ready to be positioned and clipped to the firewall.
With the column solidly in place, the lower seal is ready to be positioned and clipped to

The turn signal arm attaches with a Phillips head screw, while the tilt lever easily threads right into place as well as the shift lever knob.
The turn signal arm attaches with a Phillips head screw, while the tilt lever easily threa
Oh my goodness looks at that Houston, we have a new column.

Next comes the install of the upper trim piece from Cars, Inc. Be sure to route the wires before final attachment.
Next comes the install of the upper trim piece from Cars, Inc. Be sure to route the wires
Step outside the cab for a few more adjustments and we're nearly done. All attachment points on the rag joint are tightened and torqued to 20 ft-lbs. When in doubt, read the install instructions provided by ididit.
Step outside the cab for a few more adjustments and we're nearly done. All attachment poin
Two or three hours later, here is what the whole box, joint and column should look like. Obviously without the engine or exhaust in the way the install could go as quickly as 2-3 hours, and there should be no header clearance issues with this new box from Performance Online.
Two or three hours later, here is what the whole box, joint and column should look like. O

To top the project of we decided to go to Billet Specialties for the steering wheel. As you may know the steering wheel can be the crown jewel in any interior, so we choose their new "Outlaw" 15- inch wheel. The Outlaw wheel is designed for muscle cars and street machines and even better, Billet Specialties makes all its stuff in the USA. Imagine that-real American products on a real American car. If you so choose, you can order your wheels to match the steering wheel too.
To top the project of we decided to go to Billet Specialties for the steering wheel. As yo
The install on this wheel is literally a five-minute job. The adapter is first on the column. Then you tighten the treads to hold it in.
The install on this wheel is literally a five-minute job. The adapter is first on the colu

The wheel is next and attaches to the adapter using the supplied allen heads.
Now you add the horn cap and your job is done. Now go drive the hell out of your Tri-five, or in this case finish the rest of the build. Either way, the new box, column and wheel are a nice addition to any vehicle.
Now you add the horn cap and your job is done. Now go drive the hell out of your Tri-five,