collapsible steering column

[jono]

I have been rebuilding my column, fitting new bushes etc.

I was aware of the issue concerning failure of the inner column and so took to the time to inspect the area where the clamp goes. I can see what appears to be a fine stress circumerfential crack - I am not even going to have it tested and take the view that it is simply not worth taking the risk especially when doing a complete scratch rebuild of the car (not to mention my own life).

I have checked Rimmer Bros but they don't seem to list the part. Does anyone know where a new one can be obtained.

Caterham show one at ?47 and, having rebuilt a Caterham, I am sure the column is exactly the same as the Caterham shares many Triumph derived parts. Does anyone know if this is the case, or where have you bought a new inner column?

Regards.

Jon

[ncm]

Canley Classics list a column as 'available to order' for ?35.55 inc vat.Part no. 140755 http://www.canleyclassics.com/searchfor ... c=STEERING COLUMN UPPER ASSEMBLY
Is the Caterham item the same length as the Triumph fitment?
Cheers,Brian.

[ncm]

I've just measured up both columns and can confirm that the one fitted into my 1990 Caterham is approximately 9 inches shorter than a Spitfire column.

Brian.

[Craig Elliott]

I was just going to say, while the caterham column looks very similar to the +2/GT6 column it does look shorter...

Having had a column break, I got a second hand spare and had it crack tested and it also had problems so we ended up welding and strengthening it with a sleeve. At the time I looked at the Triumph suppliers and they only seemed to be able to supply second hand columns as and when they managed to find them.

I seem to recall someone suggesting that Matty's was looking into re-manufacturing the outer sleeve of the column (the bit that breaks) so it might be worth giving them a call.

At the time we looked into this quite carefully and came to the conclusion that the most likely cause is that, unless they are carefully aligned in a straight line the column mounts can put a bow into the column. This then causes flexing as you turn the steering wheel, generating a crack at the weakest point. This eventually leads to a break, usually when turning at low speed - hopefully not when you're trying to turn across fast moving traffic coming in the opposite direction!

It seems to be a suprisingly common problem and it's well worth checking your column for cracks!

C

[jono]

Guys,

Am I understanding things correctly - is it the outer tube which fails (or is prone to) rather than the solid inner rod part?

It's the inner rod which looks suspect on mine not the tube which looks fine.

Jon

[ncm]

Jon, my understanding of this is that the upper inner column can fail at its lower end where it has been machined to allower the two sections to be clamped together.There is a link to pictures of a failed Caterham item in the first post of the second page here http://www.blatchat.com/t.asp?id=151763&pn=1&ps=15

Brian.

[Craig Elliott]

Yes, you're right its the upper outer that usually breaks (see photo). If you're stuck I may well have a spare inner lurking in the garage somewhere.

C