Outer steering column tube 'clamp'? | MG TD TF 1500

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MG TD TF 1500 - Outer steering column tube 'clamp'?

I'm trying to determine the correct position of the outer steering column tube. On p. 129 of Horst's book half way down 1st paragraph it says:
"Position the outer tube of the column so that the flared end protrudes through the firewall to allow the lower mounting clamp to be secured to the frame tower..."
Does anybody's TD have such a clamp? Mine never did and I don't see it anywhere in Moss catalog. As you can see below this is where my car has a top radiator support bolted anyway. Horst's picture on p. 130 isn't very clear but I do not see this radiator support.
Can anyone clear this up for me?
Thanks,
Ed

efh Haskell

Ed, here is a good shot of it from Dave Braun's site.

Richard Taylor TD3983

Abingdon Spares items 23-70 and 23-71

Jan Hurd

Jan Hurd

So are we saying it gets mounted inside verses outside the fire wall? Then mine was backwards when I got the car. PJ

P Jennings

That is outside the firewall PJ but Dave's picture is of a TD and I was thinking you had a TF so not sure if there is a difference or not.

Richard Taylor TD3983

Thanks Jan, odd this is not in the Moss catalog. I'll either order one or make one of my own.
Paul, maybe you're referring to the clamp that goes with the wishbone bracket inside? This one must go outside the firewall because that's where there is a hole in the A-tower for it (I guess). My radiator support was using that hole but I moved it last night to match Dave's photo. Of course that required I swap bolts from the right side support because that bolt was longer. Based on Dave's picture it gets clamped directly above the bottom flange on the outer tube. I hope.

efh Haskell

The assembly consists of a nut, bolt and lockwasher; a key hole shaped clamp; a long distance tube; and a short distance spacer. The clamp goes around the outer tube about the area of the gussets built into the OD of the tube (which secure the bolting flange to the column). With the spacer between the ends of the clamp, the clamping force is minimum, so consider it more a hanger than a clamp.

Warmly,
Dave

Dave Braun

My TF does not have that clamp. Can one of you TF experts tell me if the TF originally had that, like the TD's did? If so, I'll add it to my Abdingdon order tomorrow.

Thanks much
Tom
'54 TF

Tom Norby

Thanks Dave! But this is one of those issues that I can't seem to make go away. If I position the outer steering tube where it should be per your photo that tube will be a good 8" further aft than it was prior to restoration. Photo below is where I believe it was at that time (not that it ever was correct of course!). Can someone perhaps give me a measurment from aft end of your outer tube to aft end of the inner tube? As you can see it's about 8" from the end now. I would really appreciate it before I put the new felt in there.
Ed

efh Haskell

Ed, looks like it should be about 8" further aft which is about where the chrome starts; after installing the chromed springy expansion cover thing a ma bob the inner shaft and splined connector shouldn't show at all. I know most folks paint the whole column black but from all that I have read at least some where chromed part of the way down so I plan to have the first 8 or 10" chromed and paint the rest.

Richard Taylor TD3983

Ed, for what it's worth here are a few pictures of mine.
I still have some loose bolts to finish but all seems to work well. Mike
Inside hanger