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MG MGB Technical - refitting steering column

I had to replace the ignition switch in my US 77 MGB. To do so I had to remove the three bolts that attach the steering column to the facia. The switch is replaced and everything is back together except that I cant get the two left side bolts to line up and engage the captive nuts in the facia. Is there a trick to this? Or did I mess something up? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

(I submitted this question already but forgot to add a title so I wasn't sure the first one posted)
RL Lucus

I have never had to drop the column to replace the various switches attached to it. The cowl is tight, but can be removed and replaced with the column still attached.

Can the column be bolted up with the cowl removed? If so, the cowl is the root cause of your problem and the column should be bolted up and the cowl fitted after the bolts are started. Then, tighten down the bolts.

Did you loosen the three bolts at the bottom of the column where it goes through the firewall? If not, you may want to loosen the bolts slightly, then try to fit the upper bolts, tighten the upper bolts, then the lower bolts.

Unless you bent the steering column, not impossible but still rather hard to do, you have done nothing which should prevent the column from going back up properly. If there is some form of problem, it was quite likely a pre-existing condition which, when you unbolted it, allowed the problem to manifest itself.

A cross-point screw driver can be used to align the holes in the column with the holes under the dash.

It would be of use to know how the holes are not lining up. Are they off to one side? If so, the through holes on the column are slotted and you may simply need to insert the left two bolts loosely, then install the right bolt and tighten all of them. If there is a problem with alignment from front to back, that may be a problem where something is out of alignment due to previous accident damage.

I have never had a problem with reinstalling the column, so do not know exactly where the problem may lie. But, more information would help.

Les
Les Bengtson

Thanks Les. I haven't tried to put it back without the cowl - I'll try that next. I have not loosened the bolts at the bottom I'll try that too if needed. The holes line up alright sideways but not front to back almost as if the steering column needs to go forward more.
Thanks again, I'll let you know if I have any luck without the cowl in place.
RL Lucus

The lower support isn't attached to the column as such, it's just a slide-in fit. Maybe it's slid out. Climb into the footwell (not fun I know) and see if that's the case. If so, just wiggle it about to get it back in and all should be good.
RoadWarrior

Les, taking the cowl off didn't help. I tried using a screwdriver to aligh the holes and no go there either. In the morning I'll try loosening the lower bolts and your other ideas. Thanks again.
Thanks for the input RW I'll try that tomorrow also.
RL Lucus

I'm not exactly sure if this was the fix but I loosened the 3 bolts at the bottom where it goes through the firewall and when I wiggled the column I felt it slide forward about 1/4 inch (give or take). Then everything lined up and I got it all back together.
Thanks again for the help.
Ralph
RL Lucus

If you've had the later full energy-absorbing column off then you must realign it to the rack shaft when refitting, or you can cause excessive wear and even failure of the steering column UJ.

This needs alignment gauges (pukka tool from Moss, or blobs of BluTac or pieces of wire at a pinch) fitted to the ends of the shafts then the column aligned to the rack shaft for up and down, sideways and in and out location. Then you pull the rack shaft forward (making note of the position of any shims on those mounting points) to remove the gauges, then refit the rack. With the shims in the original places that should always go back in the correct place, the column shaft doesn't.
Paul Hunt

Ralph. Check the steering column U joint to make sure that both locking bolts are still in place. Thinking about this last night, I thought the only way the column could move inwards or outwards was if there was some form of problem with the U joint. With you mentioning moving the column "about 1/4" ", I would make sure the U joints were assembled correctly and in good condition.

Paul is correct about the need to align the steering assembly. However, in my experience, this only applies with the complete disassembly of the system--i.e. removing both the steering column and the steering rack/cross member. I have never had to realign the system after simply dropping the steering column without removing/detaching the U joint.

Les
Les Bengtson

It's personal choice, and while the UJ will align the bottom of the column reasonably well, you would have to be sure that when tightening the bolts it didn't shift and put a load on the UJ. This is why finally tightening the column with the gauges in place, then pulling the rack forwards to remove the gauges and refit the UJ is the safest option.
Paul Hunt

I didn't take the column all the way off - but I will check the u-joint as you suggest. Thank-you both for this info. With the places I go in my B I certainly dont need problems with the steering.
RL Lucus

This thread was discussed between 22/05/2013 and 28/05/2013

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