21 replies to this topic

[jmm365]

I just got home to the horrible news that our mini is broken! My partner was parking the mini and tried to turn the wheels in towards the curb. She said the steering wheel turned (with considerably force i suspect) before she heard a click or crack. She then realised that the wheels had not actually turned and the key no longer turns in the ignition. I had a look myself and noticed that the steering column, or at least the plastic shield/surround, has twisted and is no longer straight. Also, there is a bolt at the bottom of the column where it passes through the bulkhead, I noticed that this turns slightly as I tried to turn the steering wheel....Any ideas as to what's broken? And what the fix involves? Thanks

[jmm365]

1981 Leyland

[Gremlin]

The bolt by the bulkhead is called the pinch bolt, it basically clamps the column onto the stub poking out of the rack, they have splines but the bolt is there for double measure, I can understand this failing, I don't really know how the cowling could all twist unless the steering lock accidentally 'activated' and she's twisted the hole lot and broke/bent the bottom dash rail, do you know if the wheel was up agaisnt a kurb or something when she was trying to turn it?

[Stiggytoo]

New steering column and by the sounds of it, steering lock/ignition key assembly.

[Captain Mainwaring]

The bolt by the bulkhead is called the pinch bolt, it basically clamps the column onto the stub poking out of the rack, they have splines but the bolt is there for double measure, I can understand this failing, I don't really know how the cowling could all twist unless the steering lock accidentally 'activated' and she's twisted the hole lot and broke/bent the bottom dash rail, do you know if the wheel was up agaisnt a kurb or something when she was trying to turn it?

 

The pinch bolt is NO double measure....don't kid yourself it is - actually the whole lot is dangerous in it's inadequacy - 

Why on earth and aftermarket supplier hasn't started offering racks with a spline and a slot for a proper tapered cotter pin is beyond me.

 

The plastic bit turned probably because the clamp at the top was loose too.

[jmm365]

It was not up against the curb (theres a good foot between the tyre and curb). We live on a hill so i assume she was just doing it as a precaution, thought it is parked on a near flat section. I did not know that it had a steering lock mechanism. Would this be factory or installed along with the aftermarket alarm system? Excuse my ignorance but could i replace the steering column where the car stands? It is out on the road and not in my garage which is a pain...but is it possible? 

[Captain Mainwaring]

It was not up against the curb (theres a good foot between the tyre and curb). We live on a hill so i assume she was just doing it as a precaution, thought it is parked on a near flat section. I did not know that it had a steering lock mechanism. Would this be factory or installed along with the aftermarket alarm system? Excuse my ignorance but could i replace the steering column where the car stands? It is out on the road and not in my garage which is a pain...but is it possible? 

 

 

You can probably carry out a safe repair right by the side of the road.

[GraemeC]

If you didn't know it has a steering lock, have you tried wiggling the steering whilst trying to turn the key?

[jmm365]

If you didn't know it has a steering lock, have you tried wiggling the steering whilst trying to turn the key?

 

No I haven't. Will pop down shortly after dinner to give it a go. Fingers crossed

[Fossy313]

The steering Column is easy to change burin would make sure the spines on the rack are ok too, just be thankful this has happened at a stand still and not while driving!

[jmm365]

I feel like the boy who cried wolf...only happier! Turns out you're right....my mini does have steering lock haha. My partner is certain she had turned the steering wheel at least one full revolution before hearing the click, why then have the wheels not turned? Is it possible that because she was at a stand still there was slippage in the steering mechanism? Sorry for my lack of technical speak   

[Stiggytoo]

There shouldn't be 'slippage' in the steering mechanism. This could prove fatal... I think that the cause will be the splines at the bottom of the column, however I would just go out and check if the wheels do turn when you turn the wheel. The problem will almost certainly be due to the splines slipping/shearing which will require a new rack if you value your life. 

[tiger99]

Yes, mostly correct, but no, it will almost never require a new rack, as the rack pinion is very hard, and the inner column is plain mild steel. It will however certainly require a new inner column and pinch bolt, and the rack U bolts MUST be loosened to allow the rack to align correctly when fitting the new column. Failing to do this, or using incompetently designed or installed steering column drop brackets, is number 1 killer in the Mini, followed by over-tight ball joints.

 

The steering column assembly is completely safe if properly maintained, i.e. ALWAYS ALIGN THE RACK following any maintenance of the column, ALWAYS check the pinch bolt torque (undo and preferably use a NEW Nylok nut afterwards at EVERY service (6000 miles), and NEVER use a badly designed drop bracket, or one with an adjustment slot which may allow it to move in use.

 

Failures in this area ALWAYS are as a result of mantenance having been carried out by complete incompetents at some stage. The instructions about aligning the column are not rocket science, and anyone who should be allowed to put a spanner near a car should be able to understand clearly why the column and rack pinion need to be exactly in line, and what will self-evidently happen after a while if they are not. There is no excuse whatsoever for any garage getting it wrong, whether they are a Mini specialist or not, and if they allow dangerous incompetents to work on cars, they are liable in law for the consequences. So, not being able to know what previous owners, and some garages, may have already done wrong, on purchasing a Mini I would suggest that one of the first checks should always be to undo the column and check the splines. It may save lives.

 

This one really will need a new inner column, before ever being driven on the road.

[Captain Mainwaring]

Over tight ball joints? Rubbish - the whole front end could be locked solid and it shouldn't be possible to have anything slip with the force a normal individual can apply to the steering wheel from the driving seat - the steering rack does come to a dead stop at both ends of it's travel, you mean the splines could slip if i get a bit energetic?

 

It's poor design, and it could be very easily and cheaply be improved upon.

[GraemeC]

Talk about doom, gloom and scaremongering!!
We're advising this chap to change parts of his car and probably scaring the life out of him based on what??

OP - no doubt the click your wife heard was the steering lock activating. She thinks the wheels didn't turn and she thinks she turned the wheel one revolution, but the steering lock would activate much sooner than that and therefore the wheels wouldn't turn much in reality.

The pinch bolt you could see moving - did it only move/rotate round the column a similar amount to the amount of turning back and forth you did at the wheel? If so that is normal - there will be some play in the steering lock allowing a little back and forth movement of the steering wheel. That bolt passes through the column that the steering wheel is attached to - it's a single piece of solid bar from top to bottom of the column.

The twisted cowling needs investigating - it is possible it has moved or broken off its mounts, or more likely that in trying to turn the steering against the steering lock has forced the outer column (that the steering lock is attached to) to rotate.
Could you post a picture of the clamp that holds the column where it passes under the dash rail? That will allow the others to put to bed their fears of whether you have a lowering bracket or not.