What piece is missing in my steering wheel/column assembly?
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So I've been noticing a metal on metal grinding (and shavings) up near the steering column assembly when turning the wheel. I removed the wheel and found this:
There has to be some sort of coupler, bushing, or mounting plate that goes on the back of the steering wheel or behind or over the splines that prevent these two metal pieces from contacting.
What is it? I've looked at the diagrams in the manual but can't locate the piece.
Thank you for all your help. This board has been a treasure trove in getting my car running. I just put 50 miles on a car yesterday that 18 months ago was in sad shape and barely running. This is (as of now) the last piece of a big puzzle I have been assembling.
There has to be some sort of coupler, bushing, or mounting plate that goes on the back of the steering wheel or behind or over the splines that prevent these two metal pieces from contacting.
What is it? I've looked at the diagrams in the manual but can't locate the piece.
Thank you for all your help. This board has been a treasure trove in getting my car running. I just put 50 miles on a car yesterday that 18 months ago was in sad shape and barely running. This is (as of now) the last piece of a big puzzle I have been assembling.
1967 Lotus Elan Coupe - Super Safety
2019 Tesla Model 3 Performance
1973 Ford F100 4x4
2019 Tesla Model 3 Performance
1973 Ford F100 4x4
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MrBonus - Second Gear
- Posts: 180
- Joined: 09 Oct 2017
Hi, There is nothing missing from your column, it has been assembled or pushed too far down.
Release the clamp between the two sections and pull the upper shaft up until you have clearance between the wheel boss and the outer column housing then retighten the clamp correctly.
Cheers, Brian
Release the clamp between the two sections and pull the upper shaft up until you have clearance between the wheel boss and the outer column housing then retighten the clamp correctly.
Cheers, Brian
- ncm
- Third Gear
- Posts: 257
- Joined: 02 Jun 2006
ncm wrote:Hi, There is nothing missing from your column, it has been assembled or pushed too far down.
Release the clamp between the two sections and pull the upper shaft up until you have clearance between the wheel boss and the outer column housing then retighten the clamp correctly.
Cheers, Brian
Thank you, Brian! Simple enough.
1967 Lotus Elan Coupe - Super Safety
2019 Tesla Model 3 Performance
1973 Ford F100 4x4
2019 Tesla Model 3 Performance
1973 Ford F100 4x4
-
MrBonus - Second Gear
- Posts: 180
- Joined: 09 Oct 2017
Isn’t he missing the horn contact ring that’s attached to the steering wheel and has a copper ‘finger’ that stays in contact with the copper ring on the column?
Steve Lyle
1972 Elan Sprint 0248k @ https://www.mgexp.com/registry/1972-Lot ... 48K.30245/
1972 MGB Roadster @ https://www.mgexp.com/registry/1972-MG- ... 842G.4498/
2007 BMW 335i Coupe
1972 Elan Sprint 0248k @ https://www.mgexp.com/registry/1972-Lot ... 48K.30245/
1972 MGB Roadster @ https://www.mgexp.com/registry/1972-MG- ... 842G.4498/
2007 BMW 335i Coupe
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steve lyle - Fourth Gear
- Posts: 510
- Joined: 15 Jun 2015
The problem with the inner column not being far enough up could be that the column is inserted too deeply into the flex or ujoint at the rack. I’ve done that before. The notch at the bottom end of the column is longer than it needs to be, making this possible.
Steve Lyle
1972 Elan Sprint 0248k @ https://www.mgexp.com/registry/1972-Lot ... 48K.30245/
1972 MGB Roadster @ https://www.mgexp.com/registry/1972-MG- ... 842G.4498/
2007 BMW 335i Coupe
1972 Elan Sprint 0248k @ https://www.mgexp.com/registry/1972-Lot ... 48K.30245/
1972 MGB Roadster @ https://www.mgexp.com/registry/1972-MG- ... 842G.4498/
2007 BMW 335i Coupe
-
steve lyle - Fourth Gear
- Posts: 510
- Joined: 15 Jun 2015
I just removed my dash to install a heater core on my 67 S3 and dealt with the steering column removal/replacement. The steering column length is adjustable, and you need to loosen the clamp near the firewall on the steering column and pull the steering column out by maybe 1/4". You might also have to loosen the intermediary clamp and the U clamp that is secured to the dash to do this. Brian Buckland's book has a good explanation of this.
Update: I just put my steering wheel back on after the dash install, and it was rubbing against the plastic cowling. So just loosen the two 7/16" bolts on the clamp near the firewall, and pull the steering wheel back to gain a 1/4" or so of clearance between the cowling and the wheel. No need to loosen the two other hard to deal with clamps. Then tighten responsibly and you should be free of the rubbing.
Update: I just put my steering wheel back on after the dash install, and it was rubbing against the plastic cowling. So just loosen the two 7/16" bolts on the clamp near the firewall, and pull the steering wheel back to gain a 1/4" or so of clearance between the cowling and the wheel. No need to loosen the two other hard to deal with clamps. Then tighten responsibly and you should be free of the rubbing.
1967 Lotus Elan FHC Spyder Chassis
1972 MGB (since 1975)
1972 MGB (since 1975)
- billmoore42
- Second Gear
- Posts: 77
- Joined: 12 Apr 2018
billmoore42 wrote:I just removed my dash to install a heater core on my 67 S3 and dealt with the steering column removal/replacement. The steering column length is adjustable, and you need to loosen the clamp near the firewall on the steering column and pull the steering column out by maybe 1/4". You might also have to loosen the intermediary clamp and the U clamp that is secured to the dash to do this. Brian Buckland's book has a good explanation of this.
Update: I just put my steering wheel back on after the dash install, and it was rubbing against the plastic cowling. So just loosen the two 7/16" bolts on the clamp near the firewall, and pull the steering wheel back to gain a 1/4" or so of clearance between the cowling and the wheel. No need to loosen the two other hard to deal with clamps. Then tighten responsibly and you should be free of the rubbing.
Bill,
I just did this. It took me all of a minute to fix, and 30 seconds of that was figuring out it was an 11mm socket. Thanks for the assistance!
1967 Lotus Elan Coupe - Super Safety
2019 Tesla Model 3 Performance
1973 Ford F100 4x4
2019 Tesla Model 3 Performance
1973 Ford F100 4x4
-
MrBonus - Second Gear
- Posts: 180
- Joined: 09 Oct 2017
MrBonus wrote:billmoore42 wrote:I just removed my dash to install a heater core on my 67 S3 and dealt with the steering column removal/replacement. The steering column length is adjustable, and you need to loosen the clamp near the firewall on the steering column and pull the steering column out by maybe 1/4". You might also have to loosen the intermediary clamp and the U clamp that is secured to the dash to do this. Brian Buckland's book has a good explanation of this.
Update: I just put my steering wheel back on after the dash install, and it was rubbing against the plastic cowling. So just loosen the two 7/16" bolts on the clamp near the firewall, and pull the steering wheel back to gain a 1/4" or so of clearance between the cowling and the wheel. No need to loosen the two other hard to deal with clamps. Then tighten responsibly and you should be free of the rubbing.
Bill,
I just did this. It took me all of a minute to fix, and 30 seconds of that was figuring out it was an 11mm socket. Thanks for the assistance!
Glad you fixed it ok, but if you haven't already, do yourself a favour and get some UN (inch-based) sockets and spanners. 11mm is close to 7/16", just a bit big, but you won't always get away with misfits.
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RogerFrench - Fourth Gear
- Posts: 536
- Joined: 01 Dec 2009
And almost everything is these cars takes a 7/16.
I found loosening this sliding joint to also be useful when changing the joint in the steering shaft, as the new joint fit a little differently length-wise.
I found loosening this sliding joint to also be useful when changing the joint in the steering shaft, as the new joint fit a little differently length-wise.
1970 Elan Plus 2 (not S) 50/2036
2012 BMW R1200GS
"It just wouldn't be a complete day if I didn't forget something!" -Me
2012 BMW R1200GS
"It just wouldn't be a complete day if I didn't forget something!" -Me
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The Veg - Coveted Fifth Gear
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- Joined: 16 Nov 2015
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