steering shaft

[Aerosport]

I was taking apart my steering column assembly to replace the bearing and plastic bushing and noticed the slotted collar is welded on the shaft in a fixed position. The welding doesn't look like a factory job so I am wondering if anyone knows if this is the way it is supposed to be or is it a half assed fix it job by some one. pictures attached.

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Stan L

'87 Westy GL - "Stanagon", 2wd WBX 4 speed
15" Rhein alloys, GW 1.5" lift springs & Fox shocks

[spitsnrovers]

That is a factory welding job - bad as it may look!

That slot is for the locking pin from the ignition switch - steering lock.

Totally factory. Why would you want to remove it?
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'88 VW Westfalia
'75 Triumph Spitfire 1500

[Aerosport]

I knows it should be fixed but I didn't know if that was the original method to keep it in place. Thought it may have been held in place b y a drift pin or something that someone lost so they welded it, or something like that. Thanks for the reply and letting me know that is the factory setup
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Stan L

'87 Westy GL - "Stanagon", 2wd WBX 4 speed
15" Rhein alloys, GW 1.5" lift springs & Fox shocks

[outcaststudios]

yeah that is a factory weld,nice deep penetration. its not a bad weld at all. its just not chased since its not visible.
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'88Doka JX td
'69 westy
(rip)couple bugs
(rip)three type III"s
(rip) '81 vanagon
a bunch of french stuff,and 9 motorcycles.

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