9 replies to this topic

[Ledlights]

My daughter wants to move the steering wheel closer on her mini 40.  Has anyone done this using one of the available brackets, and if so, is there anything I need to be aware of?

[Rubbershorts]

My advice would be get something substantial as per the ebay link below.

 

https://www.ebay.co....BiABEgI80PD_BwE

 

Don't bother with these, they flex too much.

 

https://www.minispar...996-models-only

 

 

You'll have to remember to loosen off the steering rack u bolts that are in the footwell prior to dropping the steering. Don't loosen them too much as the rack can slide to the side and put the steering centre out.

 

Also, you may have some fun depending on whether or not your Shear bolt is still there, and intact. Plenty of threads on here as to how you get around this.

 

Daz.

Edited by Rubbershorts, 12 February 2026 - 02:18 PM.

[Ethel]

It might not be a great idea with an airbag. At the very least you should assess the relative position of the driver's face to the wheel. I appreciate that will vary from driver to driver so  you might actually improve things if she's smaller than the average.

 

The MPI column mounting is different, but replacement brackets do exist. You could probably also add some packing (stack of penny washers?) between the bracket and the dash rail, but I doubt you'd get it much lower that way. It's also important to slacken the rack  U bolts to allow it to tilt to the new column angle - and, of course, re-tighten them afterwards!

 

QMU100730

 

 

is the part number of the original bracket for googling

 

 

Beaten to it - good point from Mr Shorts about not letting the rack move sideways, make sure the steering lock is on before you start & avoid turning the steering wheel. If you're really keen, you could stick some tape round the top of the wheel & put something on the dash to keep it aligned with.

[Rubbershorts]

Ah, I missed the MPI in the title. I've no real experience of anything apart from my '93 Rio, so as per Ethel, if you want to live.

[Ledlights]

Thanks for the replies.

The steering wheel and airbag is the same as the MGF, so as long as the angle isn’t changed drastically I don’t imagine that it would be very different from that set up. I’ll also look up the shear bolt issue to prepare myself…

[mab01uk]

Steering Column Drop Bracket

"A heavy duty steering steering column drop bracket available in 3 styles: standard drop, extended drop and an exclusive MPi drop bracket.

Please note on the MPi version you may need to modify the bracket itself to utlise all the available adjustment holes due to the different design of the MPi column and mounting bracket. Instructions are included."

https://jbfab.co.uk/...n-drop-bracket/

 

Classic Mini steering column Drop bracket MPi VERSION

"This is an exclusive design for the MPI models only. Due to the nature of the original design which differs from normal classic Mini's some modification is required if you don't want to use the maximum extension setting. If you decide to use one of the other two settings you will need to trim the bracket to clear the bracket on the column, sadly there is no way around this due to the nature of the design but most customers do use the maximum setting anyway."

https://www.ebay.co....tm/285567728322

Edited by mab01uk, 12 February 2026 - 07:57 PM.

[rennie]

I've recently fitted the JB Fabrications MPI column drop bracket as linked by mab01uk above. It isn't the cheapest, but it is very sturdy, I would recommend it. No shear bolt issues on the MPI. 

[Steve220]

Steering Column Drop Bracket
"A heavy duty steering steering column drop bracket available in 3 styles: standard drop, extended drop and an exclusive MPi drop bracket.
Please note on the MPi version you may need to modify the bracket itself to utlise all the available adjustment holes due to the different design of the MPi column and mounting bracket. Instructions are included."
https://jbfab.co.uk/...n-drop-bracket/

Classic Mini steering column Drop bracket MPi VERSION
"This is an exclusive design for the MPI models only. Due to the nature of the original design which differs from normal classic Mini's some modification is required if you don't want to use the maximum extension setting. If you decide to use one of the other two settings you will need to trim the bracket to clear the bracket on the column, sadly there is no way around this due to the nature of the design but most customers do use the maximum setting anyway."
https://www.ebay.co....tm/285567728322

That's the one I have on felix.

The air bag angle isnt an issue. Modern cars move the steering wheel anyway and are in operating tolerances. Lowering it actually faces you more.

Edited by Steve220, 15 February 2026 - 09:52 AM.

[Steve220]

I've recently fitted the JB Fabrications MPI column drop bracket as linked by mab01uk above. It isn't the cheapest, but it is very sturdy, I would recommend it. No shear bolt issues on the MPI.

If you don't have a sheer bolt on your mpi, its been replaced in the past.

[Ethel]

Interesting - Somerford list an M10 pinch bolt for the MPI bracket  & M8 setscrews to fix the bracket(s) to the shelf.

 

It's a fair point about many cars having tilt adjust columns, perhaps I should read my owner's manual to see if it mentions the airbag when adjusting it.

 

Trimming the drop bracket down would be sensible if it extends below the column, in the direction of your kneecaps