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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - steering rack pinch bolt

I discovered that my bolt wasn't pinching, so set about resolving the issue.....not a difficult task i thought. However the existing bolt was stuck and had to be drilled out, again not to much of a drama. With the right bolt bought i refitted it and hoped that it would tighten up and all would be well.
Not So !
The new bolt has pretty much got stuck most of the way in, and although the steering is fine, with no clearance issues when the rack is turned, i don't like the idea of it not being home properly.
So with it pretty much stuck, do I cut off the excess, or re drill and replace, or take it all apart. I have tried tapping it through, no joy, i have tried undoing it, no joy, so whilst i know it isn't going anywhere easily i want to see if there are any wise words, that would lessen the task into the easiest cure :)


its a Gan 5 mk3 72. . . . and if this makes you go and check your steering rack pinch bolt, then fair enough !
P Bentley

Do you mean the pinch bolt that clamps the end of the steering column to the splined shaft (on the pinion) on the rack? If so, check that the flat machined in the splined shaft is aligned with the pinch bolt because I think the pinch bolt will foul on the splines unless it is aligned with the flat. You may find that aligning everything correctly leaves the steering wheel in an odd position, but you will have to deal with that where the boss attaches to the other end of the column. It could be down to a previous owner incorrectly assembling everything (don't ask me how I know...).
Jonathan Severn

The pinch bolt should slide in/out easily once undone.
The steering column shaft will slide on to the rack input shaft in any orientation, but it only lines up correctly in one angular/rotational position - if it is not aligned, the pinch bolt will not pass through properly/at all.

Would be worth checking that the groove/flat in the rack shaft is lined up with the bolt holes in the steering column? It has to be exactly aligned, one spline out either way and the bolt will not go through.

Richard
Richard Wale

I had this when I first got my midget, a garage had fitted a new rack, but as others have said ,they did not line up the flat. Instead they had just hammered the bolt through. The result was that the bolt, when I got it out, was missing half its diameter.

Dave
Dave Barrow

Agree entirely with the others, and would just add I hope you have been sold the correct bolt, which has a very long smooth shank and just about a 1/4" of thread on the end. If you want another (genuine) one I have several used originals and will happily pop one in the post.
David Smith

By a mix up I have a spare modern made bolt but given the choice I'd always go for a good original.



Nigel Atkins

As Dave and Nigel have pointed out--very important to have the blank shank on the bolt If you use a bolt with thread all the way up, the threads can ride up the splines resulting in a disconnection of the steering shaft, which does not have a happy ending
William Revit

Thanks guys. . . i have had this car since 1988, and rebuilt it all in 2004/5 so its me that's got something wrong not the P/O. that said its taken until now to be an issue.....The Bolt was the right one, i went to Moss-Europe and although i have had some issue with other bits and bobs on occasions, the one fitted has the long plain shaft as a bolt should. Given the angle and access, i think its best to have a good poke around this weekend and be certain as to what's going on. Assuming that at the very worst i have a chewed steering rack, are these still NLA ?
As before, appreciate the advice from all.
P Bentley

I doubt any significant damage has been done to the rack input shaft, and would still think that column is not aligned correctly with the rack shaft.

Can you get the steering column off the shaft? If so, turn the rack shaft so that the groove/flat on the shaft is lying horizontally at the top of the shaft, and slide the steering column on with the bolt hole also horizontal - should all slip into place very nicely (hopefully!)

If there was a previous misalignment, you may find that the indicator switch assembly will need to be rotated slightly to get it aligned correctly with the self-cancelling screw head in the column. Also the steering wheel is likely to be out of 'straight ahead'

Richard

Richard Wale

With regard to the availability of the rack, that would depend on which one it is. The rack changed from Morris Minor to Triumph in 1972.
Dave O'Neill 2

According to my copy of the reprint of the Driver's Handbook the change was from G-AN5-114643, such as useful book.

But this doesn't account for the factory not necessarily having a guillotine point for the change of part used, and of course what previous owners might have used.
Nigel Atkins

Did you get the pinch bolt sorted out?

The first steering racks were Morris Minor, BUT the RHD Sprite/Midget uses a LHD Minor rack (ACG 6010) fitted upside down, and vice-versa for the LHD Sprite/Midgets (ACG 6009).

Richard
Richard Wale

Hi Richard, its on my list, probably to be looked at this weekend.
P Bentley

That pinch bolt is such a safety critical item it should be listed on the 3000 mile service as a routine check item.
GuyW

is it a grade 5 or grade 8 bolt?

Flip
Flip Brühl

Flip,

The original would very likely be a Grade 'R', which is 45 T/in2 tensile strength. A Grade 5 is 49 T/in2, so that would be OK, as would a Grade 8.8, which is 53 T/in2.

Richard
Richard Wale

That has reminded me to check the pinch bolt, and Guy, you'll be glad to know it's still safe in my shed.

It also means I can look at it for markings - the one I have only has the letters L and S and C but I don't know what order they're supposed to be as they're circular, probably the manufacturer rather than grade.
Nigel Atkins

Nigel, I've seen your car and I wouldn't call it a shed. It's a bit better than that!
GuyW

I missed what I was setting that up there, made me smile. :)

I've not checked the good book but I'd guess it'd say to check tightness of various components' fixings.
Nigel Atkins

;-)
GuyW

This thread was discussed between 21/09/2018 and 09/10/2018

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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