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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Steering column play

Hi guys
My midget has play in steering. If you try and move steering wheel back and forth, as though trying to remove it, there is some play. A couple of inches, but you have to really try.

A few months ago I had this problem but it was more noticable, and it was corrected by MGOC who said the steering column had collapsed. They repinned it with alloy studs/bolts(?) which you can see in the engine bay.

The problem is not the same assembly this time as far as they and I can see, there seems to be something else moving behind the steering wheel. They said not to worry about it, and it has just passed an MOT.

Any clues? Should I forget about it as MGOC say?

Thanks
Jamie
Jamie1978

The plastic pins which make it collapsible have broken.


You have to dismantle it and make a repair, from memory I think I fixed mine with some plastic rawlplugs.


This easily happens if someone has been too rough trying to remove the steering wheel.
SR Smith 1

I thought my my steering column had collapsed last year as there was a lot of movement but it turned to be the bolt that clamps the end of the steering column to the steering rack was loose

if someone lifts and drops the steering wheel as you look in the engine bay you soon notice if it's this

if it is either tighten the nut or if in doubt replace nut and if required bolt

the nut is a 1/4" UNF zinc nyloc

the bolt is a special but only a pound or so
Nigel Atkins

The column collapses in two places - one you can see in the engine bay. The other is higher up and inside the outer column, so you can't see it until you take it apart.

Should you forget about it? No.

Should you forget about MGOC? Probably!
Dave O'Neill2

fixing the nylon shear pins with epoxy resin has been covered in previous posts Cheers Rod
R W Bowers

I've had both the nylon pins break/wear - and a loose bolt on the rack.

For the former I personally wouldnt take any chances with a self fix. Exchange column with frsh nylon pins.
Dean Smith ('73 RWA)

I don't consider self-fix is taking a chance, as there's no risk. Broken pins only allow up-down movement of the outer column, there's no rotational movement due to the shape of the column parts.
David Smith

now here's the other sound.
Just put one or 2 tac welds between the 2 sliding pieces and wear your seat belt.
But then again I drive an older midget with a non collapsable column so I think you are all chicken ;P
Onno K

I did just put a couple of tack welds on mine, although I did also shorten it by 3".
Dave O'Neill2

This thread was discussed between 30/04/2014 and 02/05/2014

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