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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - US Spec Steering Column moves

Hi,

Following on from my attempts to get my motolita boss to fit correctly, it appears that one of the bodges the PO applied was relating to exactly this :(

The top and bottom of it is there is a lot of movement in the column. The top "inner" part slides in and out nearly 1cm. There is evidence that the column has collapsed at some point (though not completely, so possibly the PO using the hammer method to put on the non-original steering wheel he had on) as the lower "mesh" part had expanded slightly.

This column is not the same as the energy absorbing ones used in UK/Europe it's part number AHA8496 or AHA 9448 according to the parts list on the DVD of original publications.

My question, and probably for the stateside contributors, is there anything I can check or repair on this column, and if not does anyone have a clue where one can be found? They seem to be NLA everywhere I look.

Failing a direct replacement, if one is needed, does anyone know if any of the other columns can be fitted easily?

Thanks again for any help,

OSM.
OrangeSpyderMan

Hi
two thoughts:

The expanded mesh portion can be gradually squeezed back to its original length by careful use of a hose clamp (use it to compress the metal back to its straight cylindrical shape). Be sure to work gradually, and keep moving the hose clamp up and down to the various expended portions to keep the forces even. You don't want the metal to crack.

Regarding the loose fore/aft slipping that you describe, there are two plastic plugs that connect the inner and outer telescoping shafts, they are located on the portion that is visible in the engine room.

Folks have repaired broken plastic plugs by two methods: either drill all of the way through and fit some nylon screws (available at auto part stores for attaching license plates to cars with), or simply try injecting hot melt glue into the existing holes to replace the sheered plastic (pull them apart first, to remove the remnants of resin still in there, to create the void to be filled by your hot melt).


hope this helps,
Norm
Norm Kerr

Hi Norm,

Thanks for the reply - I've done the mesh thing with the hose clamp method, and it hadn't moved that much, to be honest.

I see where you mean for the 2 plastic plugs and I've just checked them and they're intact and that part of the column doesn't budge at all. It seems that it's the top half of the column that has the play in it (i.e. the part that's in the passenger cabin, not the engine bay).

Anything else I can have a look at, though I'm getting pessimistic as it doesn't seem that this bit is serviceable in any way... :(

Thanks again,

OSM
OrangeSpyderMan

Collapsible UK columns had two sliding joints/plastic plugs, one top and one bottom. I guess US were the same.
Dave O'Neill 2

Not sure what you mean Dave. The 2 plastic bits that Norm was referring to look fine on mine, and the column only moves before it goes through the "toe plate". The bit between the toe plate and the rack doesn't move.

Have you got a photo/diagram of the bit you're referring to so I can see if it's anything similar?

Thanks,

OSM
OrangeSpyderMan

OSM

What you can see on the lower end of the column is also repeated on the top end of the column, but can't be seen without removing the inner.

I've got three steering columns in the garage, but it's probably a bit late to go and photograph one now.

If you are still struggling tomorrow, I'll see if I can pull one apart and take a photo.
Dave O'Neill 2

OK - thanks Dave - I get the idea. I'll maybe try and take it off today or this weekend.

Thanks for all the advice, folks,

OSM.
OrangeSpyderMan

OSM

How did you get on?
Dave O'Neill 2

Hi Dave (et al),

I haven't had the time to take it off. I could do it this weekend, but there's a classic day on the Le Mans circuit next weekend and I'm loathed to start it as usually when I start things it all goes pear-shaped and I'll knacker something :(

I think you're probably right though, but I'm unsure on these US columns how to get the inner bit out, as they use bearing at the top (see, that's one of the things I envisage going pear-shaped - knackering the bearing :( )

I have some time off in Sept, after going down to Angouleme for the circuit des remparts, so I'll definitely do it then.

I'll definitely update, if only to have a complete thread in the archives.

OSM

P.S. All the talk about painting on the other threads is giving me ideas too - my boot and bonnet have faded badly, though the rest is smashing... Be reassured though, that I have learnt my lesson (a few years in bits, the car, that is, not me) and I'll tackle all this stuff one thing at a time....
OrangeSpyderMan

This thread was discussed between 17/08/2011 and 27/08/2011

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