Broken steering box

[RupertW]

Hello all, working on the Chummy project today and was very annoyed to notice that the steering box has cracked as per the picture below. Not entirely sure how it's happened, but it's possibly down to fairly extensive previous use as a go-kart without a body on and therefore no column support, or had possibly been knocked by something while the body was off.
So the question is, can this be repaired safely if welded up to a professional standard? 
   

[Parazine]

Ah, yes. The vintage steering boxes seem to be made of biscuit material.

That one looks repairable, do you know anyone who has TIG facilities?

[Chris KC]

I'm in two minds about offering an opinion as I wouldn't call myself a welder, but I should have thought it is repairable. I would take it to a pro though.

[RupertW]

Okay thanks both, it'd be ideal if it can be welded as it's all working nicely and I really don't want to have to build it into a new box. I think I have a TIG welding contact who I can ask.

Is there anything I can do to prevent a reoccurrence? Should there be some sort of hard gasket between the box and the chassis rail to help even out the stresses on the box?

[leaf200]

Once welded you could put a steel plate on the top

[Charles Levien]

Okay thanks both, it'd be ideal if it can be welded as it's all working nicely and I really don't want to have to build it into a new box. I think I have a TIG welding contact who I can ask.

Is there anything I can do to prevent a reoccurrence? Should there be some sort of hard gasket between the box and the chassis rail to help even out the stresses on the box?

Looking carefully at your photo it would appear that the base of the box is not sitting flat on the top of the chassis — without fixing that a mend will probably break again. Perhaps the steering column is lowered a bit. Classic solution is to fit a slim wedge I believe.