MG Sports Cars

Hi - a first timer,

Can anybody help with the sequence of removing the top half of the steering column of a '73 factory original GT V8. I am concerned that I am going to strike some difficulties releasing the top/steering wheel end of the column where it fits into the universal joint which is on the engine side of the fire wall and sits in a cone shaped section that is relieved into the cabin side of the firewall.

Any information/hints would be greatly appreciated.

ZT

I've never looked close at a factory original V8 but if it's the same as a regular MGB, there are 3 or 4 bolts that hold it up to the brace under the dash and 3 bolts that hold it to the cone on the firewall (bolt heads inside the car). Remove those and remove the fasteners on the steering u-joint (don't recall if it's a pinch bolt or set screw of some sort) and the column should slide out. Might take some penetrating oil and or a little persuasion to free the shaft from the steering u-joint but it will separate. If it's a pinch bolt in the u-joint, remove it vs just loosening it. I seem to recall there's a depression on the shaft that the bolt is in to hold it from coming apart as long as the bolt is there.

Thanks Rob,

You have covered what I perceived to be difficult regarding the removal of the uni joint. To start with, I think one would need to nearly "stand on his head" to undo the securing bolt on the steering wheel side of the universal. That being said, you have mentioned using penetrating oil which again was something that I thought would be required. I just hope that I don't need to use too much "extra force" to persuade the splines to part company on the steering shaft.

The bolts in the UJ sit in a groove in the steering shaft and so you need to turn the steering to undo them and then extract the bolts. You may need pleanty of WD40 and then a (tyre) leaver or wood/soft hammer to part the steering rods from the splines in the UJ. You probably have to undo the steering rack to give you manouvering room....and if you undo the rack there will be shims between the rack and the front cross member. These must go back exactly as they came out as they line up the steering shafts and the UJ. Also mark the shaft in the straight ahead position, both sides of the UJ so that you end up with the steering pointing correctly when you bolt it back together.

Disconnect the electrical connections between the loom and the column.

If it is the early steering column there are two bolts under the dashboard holding in the column, which when undone should allow the column to be withdrawn.

For the later rubber bumper types you will need to undo the 3 bolts that hold the base of the column in the footwell and the 3 bolts that hold the column to the underside of the dash. Again there are spacers with these bolts to align the steering shafts.

Once you have parted the UJ the column should come out easily.

I undid the rack bolts and then prised and gently tapped off the UJ then withdrew the the column.

Getting the steering wheel off can be challenge.

Regards Ian



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/14/2013 05:23AM by hirot.

Ian,

Thanks for the clear outline of a job that does not appear to be as straight forward as I had hoped. I thought as much that I might have to use a liberal dose of WD40 and a bit of "force" on the UJ. I was hoping not to have to remove the s/rack, however I can see that this may be the only way to split the UJ.

Regards ID

I struggled to both part mine and get it back together. So when you get the U/J off clean all the splines and check to see how easy it will slide back on.

Enjoy

Thanks Ian,

It's a job I'm not looking forward to.


Regards ID