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MG MGB Technical - Steering alingment

We have mostly covered this on other threads, but I have a problem! So, I have renewed all suspension, and while about it I fitted the Front lines' castor adjustment wedges, between the subframe and chassis rails. All went well. I took the rack right off got new boots or gaiters and new track rod ends. I was prepared for the mis-alingment of the rack with the column as per the Frontline instructions. But what I have got now if the column splined end barely 10mm away from the racks' mast, ie no room for the universal joint? How can that be? There is no way the subframe is back further than it started, with 4 big bolts holding it to the chassis rails. My only thought is; has the steering column dropped forward? I will dismantle it all this week-end but any thoughts? Mike




J.M. Doust

Push it back up into the colun with your fingers. If it moves you know its just the nylon guides on the collapsible column have broken. No drama, mine have been broken for years, just means you push the column back up and re connect the uni joint.
A J Ogilvie

Need strong fingers, there is a pretty hefty spring pushing the lower half of the column outwards. As AJ says if you have the full energy-absorbing column and that is what has happened, it will be perfectly safe just pushed back. You will have to pull the rack forward to fit the UJ anyway, so when you push the rack back into position it will push the column lower part back with it. In one way it actually makes column and rack alignment easier, as you only have to consider up and down and side to side alignment as per the two earlier columns where the inner floats in the outer anyway, instead of having to get the in and out alignment correct as well. However the problem is, that in order to get the correct up and down and side to side alignment of the two shafts, you will need to use the gauges, and that will mean having to hold the lower part of the column inner back against the spring pressure to its correct position while you do so. You may well find it easier to remove the column and fix the two halves together (I just used pop-rivet pins, not bothered how that compromises its collapsibility) before doing the alignment. Alignment will be essential after changing the castor and rack angles.
PaulH Solihull

Thanks Paul and AJ. Actually the column is not a collapsible one, I can see the previuos owner had removed the steering column lock, There is a slot in the outer column, through which I can see the corresponding groove that must have engaged the tongue of the lock. But as you say, there must be a strong spring pushing it the column down. The alignment won't be difficult to get, the ends are so close together I will be able to adjust this by eye? So, aling bolt up, check, shim, check again, then dismatle, place 'UJ' then bolt up? Thanks Mike
J.M. Doust

Mike,

You can either bolt up the uj and use the john twist method of adding a washer to the rack as you discover the streeing hard in spots. The other method is to align the two shafts then bolt up the uj's. I have done both but now I have the proper alignment cones, it prefer to use them. Takes the guess work out. Moss has these in plastic these days for about $10 from memory.
A J Ogilvie

Yes Thanks A J Ogilvie I turned up a couple of wooden cones, I just could not figure How to get them in, with the two ends so close. Right, I will have a go this week-end. Actually Saturday morning ( it is Friday Pm at moment in sunny Queensland.) I am off to do this 'try it for yourself' Hill climb at the Queensland chapter of the MG club, wish me luck! I have even bought a little sports Camera to record he trial. Hope I dont see a close up of a fence arriving fast! Mike
J.M. Doust

The alignment would have to be way out to get stiff steering, and it will only be stiff in spots if one or other of the shafts is actually bent. Just a slight amount of misalignment is enough to cause excessive UJ wear - an MOT failure in the UK - I went through three before getting the gauges, hopefully this one will now last longer.
PaulH Solihull

This thread was discussed between 21/09/2011 and 27/09/2011

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