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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Alien steering column ?

Does anyone out there have an idea as to which Mk midget steering column I have fitted?

She’s registered as a 1970 Mk111, but shortly after my purchase, I was reliably informed that the body could possibly be an American model, shipped back to Blighty and rebadged with original chassis and number plate. (would explain the 3 wiper blade set up, and sun bleached carpet)

Fast forward 2 years, and along the way of refurbishing her, it would seem that she was rebuilt with any Mk Midget part that was laying around the garage floor, and this is my latest problem.

I have what looks like an old Austin Metro steering wheel fitted, and thought I’d treat her to a wooden wheel. I ordered a wheel for a 1970 model, and now it’s arrived, the supplied boss will not fit the current column...... frustrating!!

I could replace the column, but the rack is also a bit iffy as I have had to fit identical track rod end boots to O/S and N/S, and these are clearly supposed to be different if built to spec.

Thanks in advance.






M.C Hulme

It's difficult to see what you're actually measuring on the boss. Are you measuring the major or minor diameter?

It might be that you have an American column.

Certainly with MGBs, they changed the column in 1968 to one with a smaller diameter spline and moved the horn from the steering wheel to the stalk.

As far as the rack is concerned, if you mean the rack gaiters, they should be identical for a 1970 model. The rack changed to the Triumph type in '72 and that uses different gaiters each side.
Dave O'Neill 2

M C you might need to get yourself the book Original Sprite & Midget The Restorer’s Guide by Terry Horler to see all the variations that might be on your car, the US also had lots of variations not on UK cars.
– http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1906133336

The steering wheel if the plastic 4-spoke with rectangular centre may be correct to the later USA Midget 1500 spec as those had a different steering column.

You may have the later Triumph style steering rack which has different steering rack gaiters and TREs to the earlier Morris style steering rack. Or you might have a different rod if that's possible, easiest way to find out is to borrow a standard 70s Midget steering wheel and see if it goes on the splines. (The full size standard 15.5" steering wheels are better for steering feel.)

Below is a photo of steering rack gaiters to Triumph style steering rack, if that helps any.



Nigel Atkins

Mick, bring it into work one day (If it’s not in bits!) and I’ll have another look. On nights this week 3-12 and days next week 7-2.30.

I should at least be able to confirm which rack it is!
John Payne

Thanks John, she’s nearly ready to go, but need fan belt, a water flush through, and a set of inertia seat belts before I get her in motion, so to speak.

Dave O’Neil,
The measurements are ID of the boss, and OD of the column, as can be seen, there is a .55mm difference..... I’m totally thrown with the curve ball “American column”??
Mike Hulme

your pics are too end-on to see bt what keeps the steering wheel on? Is it a large nut, or a bolt into the centre of the column?
David Smith

The column you have is the early one that had the horn button in the centre of the wheel and the wire went down through the centre of the hollow colmun but your new hub is for the later column that has the horn on a stalk
Your column looks like it has been plugged up so I guess your horn is on the stalk but you still have the early larger dia column
All you need is a wheel hub to suit the early/large spline
MGBs changed to the smaller spline in around 1968 so I'd imagine Midgets were roughly round then as well
I'd send the hub back and get the early larger one
willy
William Revit

Steering wheel splines are tapered, just to add to the confusion.
Dave O'Neill 2

Willy,
My horn most certainly is on the stalk, but I didn’t notice the plug, and now looking at it, I still wouldn’t have guessed it had been plugged. The nut when removed had some kind of plumbers putty built up around it..... for no reason??
Thank you for your assistance, I’ll be sending this boss back, and be happy in the knowledge that my vehicle build, spans across the entire range of MG Midget production..

And thank you Dave, it would make good sense for tapered splines now that you’ve told me... again, I’d never have given it a second thought. Also explains your earlier question as to wether I was measuring the major, or minor with an answer of “I dunno”
🤣🤣
Mike Hulme

Pre 1969 have 3/4" with 48 splines. 1969 onwards have 11/16" with 36 splines.

Maybe you have the earlier type but should have the later type?
Rob
MG Moneypit

This thread was discussed between 18/05/2020 and 19/05/2020

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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