I am sure that Robert will be right and the stator tube is damaged. Later steering boxes have a clamp at the base as Robert describes. However your chassis number suggests a 1929 car which will not be like this.
The large nut on the outside of the steering box is threaded onto a top hat shaped bush with its brim inside the steering box. The stator tube is brazed (I think) into the bore of the bush. In order to undo the large nut, the brim of the top hat shaped bush must be held still. The only way I know of to do this is to screw the steering coiumn down hard against the bush to hold it still, using the adjustment for end float.
If you remove the steering box side plate you can probably see all this amongst the lubricant.
Once you have undone the big nut you can unscrew the steering column from the box and remove the stator tube assembly. I find this easier when the steering box isn't in the car.
If a determined person of limited understanding has tried to hold the stator tube still by holding the advance and retard disc and has then then tried to undo the big nut, the stator tube will probably tear. The more sensitive stop before it rips right off the top hat bush. I suspect this may be what has happened to your steering box.
Sorry to suggest more work ahead. Good luck.
Regards,
Stuart
The large nut on the outside of the steering box is threaded onto a top hat shaped bush with its brim inside the steering box. The stator tube is brazed (I think) into the bore of the bush. In order to undo the large nut, the brim of the top hat shaped bush must be held still. The only way I know of to do this is to screw the steering coiumn down hard against the bush to hold it still, using the adjustment for end float.
If you remove the steering box side plate you can probably see all this amongst the lubricant.
Once you have undone the big nut you can unscrew the steering column from the box and remove the stator tube assembly. I find this easier when the steering box isn't in the car.
If a determined person of limited understanding has tried to hold the stator tube still by holding the advance and retard disc and has then then tried to undo the big nut, the stator tube will probably tear. The more sensitive stop before it rips right off the top hat bush. I suspect this may be what has happened to your steering box.
Sorry to suggest more work ahead. Good luck.
Regards,
Stuart