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MG MGA - Steering hub splines

Does anyone here know the exact measurement and number of splines on the steering column where the steering hub is attached? I don't have access to my car at the moment to be able to measure and count them myself.
SYLVESTER HARVIN

Sylvester,
There are 48 splines for the steering wheel. What measurement are you looking for? Do you want the OD of the shaft or ID of the steering wheel? Have a good day!

John
John Progess

Thanks John. Sorry should have been more specific... looking for the OD of the shaft.
SYLVESTER HARVIN

Sylvester,
The OD of the splines on the shaft is .747". Have a good day!

John
John Progess

John, -- Are you absolutely certain about exactly 48 splines?

One of my web pages says that four years ago I spent a LOT of time meticulously counting splines on the pinion shaft for the steering rack, several times over, including putting a file mark on every 5th spline to be sure. I also measured essentially the same diameter you report (.747"), but I found 49 splines (over and over again). I know the U-joint is reversible, so bottom end of the steering column shaft is same spline. I will go out on a limb a bit and wager that the top spline (for steering wheel) is the same. If splines on both ends of the steering column are the same, then one of us may be wrong about the spline count. (Yeah, I suppose it could be me).

This is the sort of thing that bugs me enough to re-check what I already re-checked. I still have the same spare steering rack, and a couple of spare u-joints, and I could pull the steering wheel off my car in a few minutes if I had to.
Barney Gaylord

As my steering column is under my bed I can count these in civilized warmth!
All three regions top (steering wheel end), bottom and the sliding adjustable portion have 48 splines. The number is, of course, the same whether you count peaks or troughs.......................Mike
m.j. moore

I just went to count again, two different steering racks using white tape and a fine black marker at every 5h spline, and they are indeed 48 splines. I measure .742 and .744 diameter over the spine crests, but I suspect it is all within the the manufacturing tolerance for standard round bar stock with rolled splines. I stand corrected, and so does my web page. Thank you for your patience and quick response.
Barney Gaylord

This is extremely helpful, as I'm looking into having a boss fabricated... thanks so much gents!

SYLVESTER HARVIN

Bosses to fit different steering wheels are available, and are probably more cost effective than having a boss made - cutting the splines, especially internal ones, will not be easy.
I just bought one for a Mountney wheel for Sterling Pounds 16 on ebay. This also fits the Motalita wheel.
Peter.
P. Tilbury

"As my steering column is under my bed....."??????

Mike are you relegated to sleeping in the garage now? Or is this some kind of protection against night time intruders?
Neil McGurk

Well, my steering column is in the closet right now (behave yourselves!!)

George
G Goeppner

"Bosses to fit different steering wheels are available, and are probably more cost effective than having a boss made "

Indeed however that's not the case with the particular wheel I'm trying to fit unfortunately. Thanks nevertheless!
SYLVESTER HARVIN

A good method for counting splines is to use the thumb and index finger on one hand and start at the top of the shaft and then move around the shaft in opposite directions with the thumb and index finger counting in twos until they meet at the bottom.
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

Neil, ‘Under the bed’ is a phrase/euphemism borrowed from my wife which she uses to describe any car part kept indoors or not in its proper place. Its probably 2 on the admonishment scale!....No. 10 you don’t want to hear.......................Mike
m.j. moore

This thread was discussed between 14/12/2010 and 18/12/2010

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