Steering Bracket Stand-off

[Bodmin]

Quick question.

Does anyone know why the bracket which attaches the steering wheel clamp to the dashboard has a small stand-off at the top mounting point?

The two lower screws hold the bracket tight to the dash whereas the top one has a 2mm gap. Over-tightening the top screw could potentially crack the dashboard. Is there a reason for this gap? Should it be packed out with washers?

[Foxie]

Hard to exactly tolereance a fibreglass body to a metal component to a timber dashboard.

I think you have answered your own question !

[snowyelan]

I just went out to have a look at mine and it has the same 2mm gap. The dash seems straight so I think I'll add a washer or 2. Speculating but maybe the bracket was sourced from another vehicle that has a 2mm difference?

[Bodmin]

Hard to exactly tolereance a fibreglass body to a metal component to a timber dashboard.

I think you have answered your own question !

Don’t think the GRP body enters the equation somehow.

[RichardHawkins]

Bodmin,

I don’t remember what I did, I forget so much these days, so had to have a look, not difficult as the dash is still not ready to install. To my surprise I find a 2mm thick spacer that I have filed to the profile of the bracket!

Hope this helps,

Richard Hawkins

[pharriso]

Yup, there is a definite kink in the part:

No mention of a spacer in the parts book... but there must be something filling the gap as the back of the dash is flat.

[Bodmin]

I’ve just assembled it on my ‘trial fit’ dash with two washers to fill the gap.

I have a new dash in order so don’t want to crack the veneer as soon as it’s delivered.

Can’t believe this issue hasn’t been raised before.

[Lotusian]

S J Sportscars have the flat version.
Ian

[Bodmin]

S J Sportscars have the flat version.
Ian

Very interesting. Makes it even more strange that there’s both a flat version and a kinked version.

[oldelanman]

Can’t believe this issue hasn’t been raised before.

This issue has cropped up several times in the past. There is an explanation for the stepped bracket in this previous thread...

viewtopic.php?f=42&t=24230

It seems on early cars a fibreglass lug on the scuttle was sandwiched between the dashboard and the bracket, not so on later cars.