What the fudge did they do?

I had asked about lubing the the steering box on a 52N and got some replies. I went with putting some 90w down the shaft for the bearing and removed the bolt on the r/s of the box that gives access to the box and pumped in some 90w. I also have another 52N with a loader I bought a few years ago. The first winter it would not steer left. I heated the box with the torch and it steered fine. After moving snow I drilled a hole in the side of the box and out came the h2o . Taped the hole and put in a zerk and pumped grease in and it solved the problem. While I had the 90w out for the one 52 I will just fill the loader tractor. Went to remove the bolt on the r/s and it looked like the bolt was broke off so went to the other side,it also looked broke off. Upon a closer look it was not broken bolts but it appears to be a rod somebody drove or somehow placed a rod in the shaft.Somebody over the years had raised the steering shaft to get better leverage on the steering wheel and it appears it has some connections to the rod or rods in place of the bolt. I think this is how the box got water in it as the rods did not fill the bolt holes completely. Any ideas how this rod is holding the steering shaft or what have they have done? Cant see much and I don't want to tear it apart till snow season is over.

if it is truly a custom mod and not some aftermarket ordeal. no way to know without taking it apart.

Not even a guess sg cause that is all I can do. Put on your best guru hat and throw me a good guess bone, LOL

without a pic i can't even guess...