8 replies to this topic

[PJR74]

Hi

Just brought a 1993 Mini Sprite, and new to the forum.

The steering column moves up and down. I've tightened the pinch bolt at the bottom of the column and the upper column clamp/bolt seems to be tight. Can anyone suggest what might be causing this?

Thanks

[idlethumbs]

Hi.
There are only 2 fixings for the column and by the sounds of it you are happy with both of them.
There are 2 plastic bushes that sit between the inner and outer column, maybe one of both of these are worn or even missing?

[PJR74]

Thanks, I will have a look.

[Spider]

Is the Steering Wheel tight?  Check the Steering Nut (pun intended), they do shake loose.

 

If the Pinch Bolt is Tight and the Splines inside the column are in reasonable order and it's not the steering wheel, the the pinion bearings in the rack have collapsed.

[tiger99]

It depends on what he means by "up and down". I agree totally, rack pinion bearings, a very serious condition, if he means axial movement, pulling and pushing the wheel along the column axis.

But if he means up and down as seen by the driver it could well be the usual column bushes, somewhat less serious.

Such are the limitations of the English language....

[PJR74]

Thanks for the responses.

I can't blame the limitations of the English language, just my limitations in using it...

Anyway, I do mean up and down as the driver looks at it. It looks like a problem with the bushes.

[timmy850]

What happened to my car was the pinch bolt at the bottom was so tight it was touching the two sides together and not providing sufficient clamping onto the rack. I would suggest not driving the car until you fix it what ever the issue is.. 

Mine moved in this direction

Edited by timmy850, 05 October 2016 - 03:27 AM.

[The Principal]

check you have the correct pinch bolt http://www.minispare...|Back to search

[tiger99]

If the clamp has closed up tight it suggests that the splines are worn so the inner column will need urgent replacement. As stated above, don't drive it like that.