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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - 1500 steering column

On cars used in competition is the steering column modified to get rid of the sheer pins or is there an alternative column used?
K Hughes

On mine, I collapsed the column, removed the plastic bits, then put a couple of tack welds on it to hold it together.

I also shortened it by about 3" to give me a bit more room. This also entailed taking 3" out of the outer column and moving the indicator switch to the dash. I used a floor mounted switch for the headlamp dip/main.

Dave O'Neill2

Unless you like the idea of a compressed sternum or broken ribs or collapsed lung, use the steering column just as it was designed to pass the crash tests!
David Smith

I agree with David S emphatically, however, I assume from your post that you intend to use the car for competition, in which case you will have to fit 4 point racing harness. The rest is up to the scrutineers.
Cheers
Rod
R W Bowers

Thanks for the response to the original question. The reason why I have asked is the plastic dowels that act as the weakest link have decided to break. I thought that if this happened in competion, the steering wheel is allowed to come out towards the driver, not as it is intended to allow the steering rack section to run inside of the hollow section.

This is a very poor design by any safety standard.

When the column has been removed I think I will secure it so that it is one complete item as on previous models.

A much safer option than the security of two plastic dowels!!!!!!

The car will also have 4 point 3" harness belts fitted as well.
K Hughes

The column is in three pieces, so two breakable joints.

You can see one of the joints in the engine bay, but the other is inside the outer column.
Dave O'Neill2

Belts stretch more than you think; I'm only 75 kg but when I hit a tyre wall at about 50-60 mph fairly head-on, the steering wheel lower half was bent backwards and I had minor chest bruising for a few days.
David Smith

Did your column collapse?
Dave O'Neill2

The column did not collapse I accidentally sheared them trying to get off a non-standard wheel to refit the original.
I intend using it on HRCR events if I can complete it on time for next year !!!

I may try to drill it out and fit a soft bolt as a shear pin.
K Hughes

que a J Twist video (number 01 too) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwf2BDC5DMo&feature=plcp
Nigel Atkins

Dave O - yes!
KH - please don't use a bolt, use plastic - sprue from an airfix kit is effective... or maybe a golf tee
David Smith

FWIW, When I refurbished my column I found that some one (panel beater??)had fixed it??? with a high tensile bolt, not acceptable for road use, so I poured thermosetting resin (AKA Araldite etc) into the holes with suitable masking to form the 2 "shear pins". Worked well, yeah I know that I'll have to run into some hay bales to really find out.
Cheers
Rod
R W Bowers

Either my steering column is unique or it is a popular misconception that the column has dowels. When I had mine apart there are two holes on the outer section. The inner section is 'waisted' and solid and does not have any corresponding holes to accept dowels or pegs. It would appear that when they were assembled in the factory a plastic/nylon material was probably injected into the holes. When set it gives the appearance that they go right through. When I repaired mine, I used Gorilla glue and used a bit of masking tape to stop it dripping out the bottom - the Gorilla glue expands curing. Works well, did that 3 years ago.
Nigel Axtell

Nigel

Yes, that's exactly how it is.
Dave O'Neill2

So guy's which is the best / correct way to repair the column?
Weld it?
Inject gorilla glue?
Pin it?

I am now at a loss as to the best method but all will do the repair I guess !!

Any other methods?
K Hughes

lads, mines a 1500 and the holes go right through, earlier models appear to be different.
Please don't weld it use the glue.
Cheers
Rod
R W Bowers

Found this article which explains the principle behind the mechanism.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZgL21adO7M&feature=youtu.be

I think the solution will either be the Gorilla method or the hot glue.

Thanks for all of the replies I will let you how I get on.
K Hughes

This thread was discussed between 09/10/2012 and 11/10/2012

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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