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MG MGB Technical - Steering Column, Collapsible type.

Any one had one of these apart.

I have, two years ago, and I have a virtually complete column, plus a spring, washer and circlip.

I am almost certain these came out of the bottom end, ie the splines which go into the UJ.

Problem is there does not appear to be enough room in the bottom of the column casing to stuff these three items in, and yet there does appear to be provision on the actual splined shaft for the external circlip in my hand.

HELP definitely required especially as these are no longer available new.
Jack

Jack. I think you are describing the parts that are used to secure the shaft in the top column bearing. I have several photos of a column in various stages of disassembly in Yahoo Photos.
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/bc/flash1929/lst?.dir=/MGB+Steering+Column+upper+bearings&.view=t
One circlip goes under the bearing. On top of the bearing there should a spring washer and some spacers as needed. The spring washer and spacers are held in place by another circlip. Clifton
Clifton Gordon

Clifton,

I have tried the link but the pidctures seem to be blank when I get there!
David Witham

David, It works ok for me. Try the following and then click on the MGB steering column upper bearing album
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/flash1929
If that doesn't work you can try to copy and paste the link.
Clifton
Clifton Gordon

The picture of the "Lower end of Column" is the problem area, and I think I can see the spring, unless its my imagination.

There is a circlip in the top of the column as well, however I did not disturb that because it was nice and clean, being in the cabin, whereas the bottom end was rusty-ish, and as it had a circlip, I thought I could get that out and give it a good wire brushing.

The splined shaft seems to be longer than mine, so I wonder if my inner shaft has somehow shrunk into the casing.

Anyone who has stripped one or can confirm these items fit where I think they fit, or better still, if an exploded diagram is anywhere, I would be most obliged.
Jack

Jack. In the lower column photo you are looking at a threaded plastic collar with a plastic nut. On the columns I have dismanteled the bottom end of the shaft has a machined flange with a plastic threaded collar and plastic nut. Under the collar is a spiral spring and in the end of the column is a ball roller bearing similar to the bearings in a bicycle fork. No circlips were in the bottom of the columns I have dismanteled.
The only way I could get the shaft out of the housing was to remove the top bearing circlip and spacers and remove the shaft through the bottom. As I recall the bottom bearing must come out with the shaft.

Does your column have the upper bearing in place? If so there should be a circlip to retain the spring washer, spacers and shaft in position. The circlip under the top bearing keeps the shaft from being pushed into the drivers face in event of an accident. The circlip at the top of the top bearing keeps the column and steering wheel from being pushed toward the engine in event of an accident. Perhaps I'm telling you something you alraedy know.

I have two spare Columns so If this hasn't answered your question I can disassemble one to verify my memory is correct and hopefully solve your problem. I'm also assuming all collapsible columns have identical construction, I know there were some differeces in the early units wheel hub splines but the basic construction was the same.

Good luck, Clifton
Clifton Gordon

Clifton,

The column is intact, except for the spring, washer and circlip.

This is off a 1980, so the latest version.

I can see the circlip at the top of the shaft, everything is fine driver end.

The bottom of the column, below the lattice pattern becomes a round solid metal wall casing, and inside this still, is an eggcup type insert which shields a bearing race.

The grease in this bearing was hard, so we have put some fresh in, and it all performs OK.

However, when we try to stuff the spring, washer and circlip into this eggcup, there is insufficient space.

There can be only three scenarios.

1. These are not part of the column.
2. The splined bottom shaft has somehow moved into the casing causing a false measurement.
3. Immense pressure is required to compress the whole lot in, which I doubt, because I do not think it was difficult to remove in the first place.

Please get stripping, and may I ask you to carefully note how much of the splined shaft protrudes top and bottom.

The spring, washer and circlip all have the right dimension to fit on the OD/ID, the length is the problem.


Jack

Jack, I have not examined a column from a rubber bumper car so perhaps they are different from the columns used from 68-74. I know they do use a different U joint but I assumed they used the same type construction. I did remove the shaft from one of my spare columns and added some more photos of the lower bearing detail and upper retainer parts. However that may not help as based on your description of your parts it appears the lower section is not the same as the columns from chrom bumper cars. The columns I have examined have a machined retainer and the lower bearing is pressed in like a wheel bearing race.

This information may not help in your case but the distance from the lower end of the column housing bearing to the end of the shaft is 2 1/8". From the lower shaft flange to end of shaft is 1 5/8". The distance from the top of the column bearing to the threaded end is 3 1/4". Again this may not mean anything as the later steering wheels were different.

Look at the added photos and see if they help. It sounds like the bottom end of you shaft has collapsed meaning it has moved toward the steering wheel. I assume the slip joint is secured with the nylon bushings as in the earlier columns. If that is the case I would install the u-joint and grip the u-joint with some heavy pliers and try to slide the shaft out by tapping the pliers with a hammer. That happened to me on one and I couldn't get the top circlip in until I figured out the shaft had collapsed a little. It was as easy to pull out a little so the circlip would fit.

Good luck, Clifton





Clifton Gordon

Clifton, Your info coincides with other info someone gave me, although yours is specific and will help me to calculate what has happened.

Many thanks for your kind assistance.
Jack

Problem solved.

The splined shaft, suitably gripped in a vice allowed the outer casing to be wacked with a hammer, and this gradually gave the required amount of exposed splined shaft, to pop the spring, washer and circlip onto the shaft.

During the two years the spring has been off, the spline has clearly crept into the casing, or has been stood on end, and the weight has caused it to "retreat".

A puller device would have been better, however the casing was not damaged beyond a bit of new paint.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
Jack

Jack, It's good to hear it wasn't serious. Regards, Clifton
Clifton Gordon

This thread was discussed between 17/07/2003 and 21/07/2003

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