Steering Column Dismantling

[andyelan]

Hi Everyone

Can anyone please tell me how I remove the inner column from the outer on the later Plus 2 when the car is fitted with a steering lock.

Regards
Andy

[peterako]

Hi Andy,

If you haven't already, you'll have to remove either the top or bottom steering bush.

Some brute force and ignorance needed....

There is a 'shoulder' on the steering column shaft that catches on the bushes and stops the shaft coming out of the column.

As I remember it, there are 2 or 3 'nipples' on the bush that protrude through the column. If you push these in with a screwdriver then you should be able to pull (or push?) the column shaft through with the bush.

It was a year of two ago that I had to do this, so there could be something else there. But I think the major obstruction is/are the bushes.

Best of luck,
Peter

[andyelan]

Hi Peter

Thanks very much for the reply, I assumed that's how it has to come apart

Regards
Andy

[AussieJohn]

With this column a few owners found that there was still a bit of movement even with new bushes so we put an extra bush in the top of the column; used a standard bush with the locating lugs shortened, cheers, John.

[andyelan]

Hi John

This is exactly what I had in mind. Apart from shortening the locating lugs, did you leave the rest of the bush as standard?

Regards
Andy

[gerrym]

Andy, it really does make the job a lot easier and less chance off damage to the thin aluminium outer column if you have a special clamp to hold it in the vice.

Brian Buckland has details for one in his book. I have a photo of a wooden one somewhere on this forum. Have a search. It worked a treat.

Regards
Gerry