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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - What is this thick washer's job???

I have been restoring a 79 Californian midget here in Australia, and have just finished converting from LHD to RHD. The easiest way to achieve this was to have a welder swap across the top and face of each footwell and line up all the holes again.

This came out great, and I'm very happy with the result . . . but . . . somehow the large metal "washer" at the front of the driver's footwell (where the steering column goes through) went missing. There is a much thinner "gasket/washer" on the inside of the cockpit which I could use to have another thick one rebuilt if necessary.

My question is, what does this large thick washer do??? I can't see how it connects in any way to the steering column. Is it just there to stop movement when driving???

The Moss diagram shows the actual piece as part of the entire steering structure, but doesn't show it as an individual item.

Wazza


w butler

This is where the washer goes

Wazza


w butler

That bit bolts on with those three bolts in the yellow circle and stop the column flapping about, as well as providing a sealing surface. Not sure just how important it is in the gran scheme of things though.
S Overy

I haven't worked on my 1500 steering column for 25 years but, if I recall correctly, the highlighted circle on your first diagram shows a fibre sealing washer (to stop air/fumes entering the cockpit). The other 'washer' (with the holes) is the integral mounting flange (part of the steering column outer tube). But I could be wrong. After 25 years, it's all a bit of a fog!
Andy Hock

The late MGB uses a similar arrangement, see pic. It has a 3mm rubber layer bonded to a 2mm plate. The centre ID is 1-5/8" and the PCD of the mounting holes is 2-5/8".
Yours if it's any use.


David Smith

Thanks David, what a generous offer. The "gasket/washer" in your image is the one I have on the inside of my cockpit around the steering column. The piece I am missing is the one on the steering column inside the engine bay.

I am leaning towards its purpose being to have something for the "solid" part of the column to bang into and stop, to allow the "collapsible" part of the column to collapse towards the firewall.

Now I know it is not absolutely essential for it to be the "actual" part I'm going to get a 5mm thick piece made.

Thanks again for your offer but I'm OK now.

Wazza
w butler

This thread was discussed between 23/10/2011 and 26/10/2011

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