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MG MGB Technical - Engine mount nut vs. Steering Column

LHD '79
Changing broken motor mounts and I'm trying to figure out best way to get the steering column out of my way so I can get to the "impossible" lower mount nut. How much of the rack do I have to disassemble? Does column come loose from the Universal joint(40)Refer to Haynes manual "steering gear-exploded view, pg. 209
Thank you-Joe
Joe Walck

By steering column, you probably mean the steering Mast as they call it. The bit that is fixed to the rack. I have mine completely off while attending to the suspension, but it occurs to me that one could take the rack bolts out, disconnect the universal joint, then rotate the mast upwards? Would that give you the space to work with? To put the rack back should be straight reversal of the procedure. You have not moved the subframe and if you mark the splines of the universal joint, alignment should be back to where it was before? Note, you will have to support the rack, as with the bolts out it will simply fall to the ground!. Mike
J.M. Doust

Can be done with rack in situ. I always elect to take the rack out. ends up being more orderly. Loosen the universal joint and undo the rack mounts and tie rod ends, mark tie rod nut locations before loosening tie rod ends. also you can hold the nut and "spin" the mount onto the nut. then you just need to mount to the motor. Spanner cut in half helps as do these new rachet spanners.

Either way not a simple task. I don't think the pinion shaft will come out but i've never tried. good luck and be patient! Its a bugger, Ive spent up to 1 hour just tightening the nut on some occasions.
Allan
A J Ogilvie

The 1979 B has a little "box" built around the lower attachment point of the LH rubber mount, thru which the steering column passes. Inside the box is the nut from the LH mount.
I started to remove the rack and pinion, however it doesn't want to come out...it seems to be pulling the steering column/column outer tube out. The nuts on item 40, the universal joint have been loosened, but the steering rod is not moving out of them. Does the pinion bearing nut (16) have to be removed?
Joe Walck

Joe,

I don't have the picture to see item 40, but I think I might know your problem. You have only loosened the u-joint clamp? You must remove the pinch bolt because it fits in a groove in the shaft.

Charley
C R Huff

I did remove the bolt and nut, but the splined part of the steering rod would not come out...it was rusted solid...it finally did, but before it/I did, it/I pulled a section of the steering column with it. The engine mounts are replaced...now I need to figure out what I have done with the steering column (from the UJ on up)and then replace the rack. Ideas?
Joe Walck

Sounds like you have sheared the nylon pins that go between the inner and outer shafts, that give the column its collapsible function. It's no big deal, it's perfectly safe, the two shafts have flats so they cannot rotate independently i.e. you won't loose your steering.

The inner will automatically take up the correct up and down position once the two shafts have been correctly aligned at the UJ in both vertical and horizontal orientations. This column is a normally a pain as you have to align it in three orientations, you will only have to do yours in two. The only drawback is that the strong spring at the bottom end of the inner will be pushing it towards the UJ all the time, but I found mine like that after about 100k and it hadn't caused a problem.
PaulH Solihull

Thank you,
Here is the part that "followed" the universal joint when the rack was removed.

Joe Walck

Hi joe, Just stick the bottom half column back up into the main column, you might have to rotate and fiddle it but it will go back. i would remove and renovate the uni joint first as a guard against future issues undoing it as well.

Allan
A J Ogilvie

Yep, that's the bit that comes out when the pins are sheared. Just push it back.
PaulH Solihull

This thread was discussed between 14/08/2011 and 18/08/2011

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