20 replies to this topic

[Gingerjoe]

Model:mini clubman 1275gt
Year:1980


Just wondering if anyone could do me a small " Change a inner steering colum for dummies " for me? haha, last night I was parking & my steering just went CRUNCHHHHH! now the steering wheel goes around but wheels dont, gave andy at ml a quick call & said its my spline, so just ordered it, gonna change it myself, I have the tools ect, Just need a little help in the process, would really appreciate a quick step guide! appreciate it in advance! Thanks

Joe

[Min E]

Is this another case of steering failing due to the fitting of a steering column drop bracket?

Take a look at :

http://www.theminifo...howtopic=139701

and :

http://www.theminifo...howtopic=139570

Edited by MINY, 05 November 2009 - 01:06 PM.

[Gingerjoe]

hmmm. I do have a drop bracket, its been on a good while now though, why would that of caused it?

[Min E]

Apparently it's a common fault, if you do not re-align the spigot of the steering rack then it wears the splines on the inside of the column. Makes sense to me! If youve read through those two threads then I would think it makes sense to you.

There's probably other threads that refer to the same thing.

I think an extra factor which has added to the problem with my lad Danny's is that he has got superlite wide wheels which are much harder to turn when manouvering and so more strain than usual is applied to the splines.

[Gingerjoe]

Ive ordered a new spline, Should this all that needs to be changed? Umm reading all that not really, unfortunatly im not the brightest spark in the world... how long after fitting a steering colum drop bracket would it happen if not done properly, I followed the steps in miniworld too, said nothing about that

[adcyork]

As long as you undid the steering rack U bolts to realign the rack to the changed angle of the steering column when you fitted the drop bracket then it won't be the bracket that caused the problem basically.

[Min E]

Did you fit the drop bracket yourself or was it on the car when you got it?

If you fitted it:
1. Do you remember where you got it from?
2. Do you remember if the instructions that came with it (if there were any) included telling you to adjust the steering rack?
3. Did you adjust the steering rack.?

With regard to how long it takes to fail; there are, as I see it, several governing factors.

But, it will fail quicker if:
1. the column is lowered to its lowest point.
2. there is play between the inner and outer columns due to poor condition of the top and bottom bushes.
3. wide wheels/tyres have been fitted making the steering wheel harder to turn.
4. wheel spacers have been fitted (same effect as 3).
There are probably other reasons and of course a combination of any of them will be worse.

In an effort to explain the problem I've done this quick sketch:



It's very basic and a bit exagerated but I think shows what is meant by missalignment.

When a drop braket is fitted the 2 U bolt clamps must be slackened and the rack must be rotated in them so that the spigot is at the same angle as the new position of the column.

Edited by MINY, 06 November 2009 - 02:00 PM.

[cooperdan]

Good diagram

[Min E]

Joe, as you will be striping the column down I would strongly suggest that you replace the top and bottom bushes whilst you're at it, they're not expencive also you should use a new pinch bolt and nut.

[Gingerjoe]

really appreciate your help man, you dont realise how much the picture helped.. haha, I bough the drop bracket from minispares, I followed the instructions from miniworld, I remember un doing the bolts massanger side & driver side, I dont remember doing anything with the rack, Im working 10 x 5 " wheels, but on 7.5 cooper S, not spacers, Thanks again for your help mate, much appreciated. Just had to cancle my order with minisport, it was cheaper there, so I think I would give them a chance & making a good sale ( first time order because ive hurd there down falls ) email this morning - * this item is currently out of stock * lol, so order cancled, see what happens.

[Min E]

Don't forget to order the bushes and bolt aswell.

[Gingerjoe]

dont suppose you can sort the codes out for me?

[Min E]

Like the column itself, I believe they vary between years and models but if you phone your order through and jusk ask they'll know which ones to supply.

Edited by MINY, 06 November 2009 - 11:55 AM.

[Gingerjoe]

Like the column itself, I believe they vary between years and models but if you phone your order through and jusk ask they'll know which ones to supply.

dude Ive just realised, when I did the drop bracket, I did ajust the rack, undid both bolts either side, passanger & driver side, I did the U bolts up at the bottom nearst the body work & it worked o.k, I only needed to park it close to my house, but I could feel it going, you still recon its the spline?

[Min E]

dude Ive just realised, when I did the drop bracket, I did ajust the rack, undid both bolts either side, passanger & driver side, I did the U bolts up at the bottom nearst the body work & it worked o.k, I only needed to park it close to my house, but I could feel it going, you still recon its the spline?

From that dscription it sounds like you are saying that you slackened all four nuts but only re-tightened the bottom two.

Is that right? Did you think that tightening just the bottom ones would somehow adjust the rack downwards?

Sorry but that is not how they work.

The U bolts are separate from the rack, slackening them allows the rack to rotate within them.

The rack will pretty much self adjust to where you set the column but then you must re-tighten all four nuts eaqually.

If you did only re-tighten the bottom nuts then the tension on the bottom of the rack could actually have rotated slightly it upwards rather than downwards.