Steering shaft question for a chassis guru or alloy expert

[luv454]

I have a piece of 3/4" 316L Stainless tubing 0.65 wall thickness. Is it strong enough to use as a steering shaft from the Steering wheel to the first apex joint? I have a 71 Nova with a rack setup similar to John Heard. I know most quys use chromoly or mild steel but I have acess to this for free and it's nice looking. I just don't want to sacrifice looks for safety. I will have a 12 point cage. I'm planning a small block build with 600hp. Looking to run mid 6's in the 1/8th mile.

Thanks,

[luv454]

Okay so it doesn't have to be a chassis guru or an expert. Feedback or thoughts

[John_Heard]

I think Mild Steel or Moly would be better, assuming you want to weld any of the column.

[HPDRIFTER]

"I just don't want to sacrifice looks for safety."

Huh?

You might want to go with moly or mild steel to get a safe weld on your steering wheel or quick release adapter common to the shaft. Not a good place to take a chance.

[Bruce69Camaro]

We use 316 SS where I work but it's wall thickness is .035" and if I had to pick between that and moly, I'd go with moly for the same reasons the other's mention, safety.

Plus depending on what you are using to weld with, you may need to buy a different gas and or wire/ rod.

Bruce

[tigwelder]

if you tig weld it with a mix metal rod,(309L ?) you will be fine as long as the weld does not crack, pulse weld it keeping the weld cold, then it should be fine.

[luv454]

Thanks for the replies it would be tig welded by the contractors that I got the pipe from. It is high purity piping and the guys tig weld it everyday. I have another piece of 1 1/2" that I made the column out of. It has a radial bearing press in each end to suppot the 3/4" pipe. I just wondered if this pipe is strong enough. I guess it wouldn't be an issue as long as I never crash huh?
Tigwelder, what is the wall thickness of the chromoly steering shafts that you install?

Thanks,