12 replies to this topic

[Roxoff]

We've only had our latest mini for a few weeks, and I've got hold of a nice shiny bracket to lower the steering column (available in MiniSport for about 4.25, but I paid a bit less for this one on ebay).

Anyway, I went to fit it tonight, and the bolt holding the column in place is round, and it has a round nut on the other end! I've searched for my Haynes manual, and that seems to have walked, so I need some advice.

How on earth do you unbolt the steering column under the dashboard? There has to be a knack, I just dont know how to do it. I dont want to end up cutting the bolt, as I could damage the column itself.

Please help.

[Bluemini]

File a couple of flats on the round bit so you can get a spanner on it, or cut it off with a hacksaw and replace with a new bolt and locknut.

[Roxoff]

Thanks for that Blumini. I should have known there was no complicated procedure to it, just filing or cutting.

Cheers.

[Bluemini]

I don't think the big hammer works on this one, so you have to revert to the big saw instead lol

[Dog]

Cool I needed to know that as well when i come to lowering the pickup steering colum

[ed4ran]

Its those dam "snap off head" bolt things they use to stop people changing the steering column for a different one to get around steering wheel locks!!
I hate those things, i just cut a slot in the end and use a big flat head screw driver.

[Guess-Works.com]

I use a decent set of mole grips...

[Dan]

Just remember you have to turn the bolt not the nut, it's stepped into the slotted washer behind it so it can't turn.

[Roxoff]

It was worse than I expected. I couldn't get enough on the bolt to file or saw it down, or to cut it off, because of the shape of the support bracket holding the column to the bottom ledge of the dashboard. My final solution? I drilled a hole into the bolt end (on the right of the steering column) and used a broken screw extractor to unscrew the bolt. Then I biined it and replaced it with the same size bolt bought from B&Q, but with proper hexagonal heads.

Anyway, the driving position is now much more like a regular car, and I have the adjuster at the very top of its slide range. Any lower and I wouldn't be able to get my knees under the steering column when I get in and out.

[Dan]

Now replace it with a real nut and bolt. Nothing in B&Q is high tensile steel, it's made of cheese and chocolate. Go to a nut and bolt factors or a good car parts shop and get high tensile stuff to do it with. This is important.

[Roxoff]

Do you have a supplier, maybe an online one, that you'd recommend? I dont want to go get any more cheesy parts for my little baby.

[Dan]

If you still have your original nut I'll send you an original bolt to use. They start off with a normal head which snaps off when you tighten it up. You can do it up to the right torque without snapping off the head though, so you can fit this bolt and it'll be fine. PM or E-mail me your address.

[Roxoff]

PM sent. Thanks for all your help, Dan.