7 replies to this topic

[Mini_Matt]

Hello

I have a 1987 Mini Mayfair with original steering rack and column.

I have been doing some work to the car and ended up taking the column out. But before I put it back in I have noticed there is some splines missing. But I am not sure if it is meant to be like that or not.

Here is a photo its not too clear sorry.

 001.JPG   1.02MB   41 downloads

As you can sort of see it is smooth each side of the clamp.

Before I took the car apart I did have a problem with my steering where I would turn the wheel and the wheels wouldnt turn until I turned it some more. And vice versa when i turned the opposite direction.

Do I need a new column or is it supposed to be like this?

Sorry about the long post.

Cheers... Matt x

[clambert81]

Where the splines are "Missing" is where the pinch bolt goes through. There is a groove on the splined end of the rack, where it comes through the floor. The bolt goes in that groove. This is so you cannot pull off the steering column without fully removing the bolt.

[Mini_Matt]

Ok. Thankyou.

But Above and below the pinch bolt should there not be splines?

It looks as though they have worn down. I dont know whether you can make this out from the photo. Would they effect the steering if they are not there.

[clambert81]

From the photo it looks like there are enough to grip. Just do the pinch bolt up tight. If not there are plenty about at mini autojumbles and not that expensive

[SolarB]

If there were splines for the full 360 degrees the pinch bolt wouldn't be able to pull the sides of the column together.

[Mini_Matt]

If there were splines for the full 360 degrees the pinch bolt wouldn't be able to pull the sides of the column together.

That makes sense....

In that case ill put it back on the car how it is.

Thanks for the comments.

Do you think that steering problem i had could be down to loose U bolts?

[Dan]

Err, right. There is some very dubious advice being given here, please consider the warning at the top every technical page before posting advice. The pinch bolt must not be used to take the steering load.

There should be a machined area in line with the pinch bolt where the splines have been removed as in your column, however the symptoms you describe are exactly what happens when the column is worn. As you no doubt understand this is very dangerous. I can't quite see inside in the photo but the splines should be very sharply cut all the way up, if the splines in the area the pinion sits are soft edged, the column is scrap. The pinion only sits in a very narrow band of the splined section. It's out of focus, but I think I can see the edge of the wear ridge where the top of the pinion sits in the machined section and it seems to continue into the rest of the splines. There should not be a wear ridge, there is no reason for the pinion to wear the column if it's set up right.

Do you have a steering column drop bracket fitted? Badly fitted drop brackets cause this more or less every time, the wrong bolt being used as a pinch bolt is also a cause.. The pinch bolt only closes up the column a tiny amount, and the bolt through the slot in the pinion is nowhere near a good enough fit to keep the steering safe. The spline is what takes the load and keeps everything aligned.

If it actually is in bad condition, replace it. New columns are about £30.00, it's not worth the risk. This really is very dangerous and a car in the condition you describe is not roadworthy and must not be driven. I have seen far more badly worn columns than this, but it doesn't take long for them to go from this state to having no steering control at all. You would be amazed how common this problem is. It's been less than a week since one member experienced the terrible complete loss of control as a result.

If it's not actually badly worn though, you really need to find what is causing the problem. It could be loose U bolts, or the U bolts being tightened un-evenly. They should have about the same amount of thread visible above each nut on the same bolt , if they are pulled to one side or the other they can't clamp properly. Also, the Nylon packing strips that fit behind the U bolts around the rack are important for keeping the rack still and seem to mysteriously disappear frequently.

[Mini_Matt]

Okay. Thanks for that.

All of the spline are good and intact.

I didn't realise that the splines are machined off above and below where the bolt goes through.

I have never fitted a lowering whatsit and this is the first time the column has ever come off the car.

I have put brand new U clamps on with with new nuts and the bits of plastic that go behind the U clamps.

I will find out if its working once the car is back on the road as i am going nowhere without an engine.

Thanks for all your help.