Steering Column not Central to Bulkhead Grommet Hole?

[72BLUE]

I have just temporarily fitted a slightly later (1975 I think) steering column, so I can overhaul the original '73 one, and the end of the column is not central as it passes through the bulkhead hole.

It is way out and virtually touching at the bottom of the bulkhead hole with a large gap at the top. I do have the bolt in btw at base of column.

Is this normal? How the hell do I fit a grommet if so?

I did not pay enough attention when I took the original column out, so do not know how central that one was

Cheers
Keith.

[richardthestag]

Iirc the is a bolt that fixes the end of the column outer case to the bulkhead in the footwell. With that in place it should line up nicely unless something is bent

[72BLUE]

Iirc the is a bolt that fixes the end of the column outer case to the bulkhead in the footwell. With that in place it should line up nicely unless something is bent

Yes, I have that bolt done up, I will see if it will tweak upwards a bit tomorrow.........


Cheers
keith.

[richardthestag]

Is the bush in the bottom end of the column intact, or there at all?

[jleyton]

Hi Keith,

I had exactly this problem when I tried fitting an alternative column to my car. I posted on here about it a couple of years ago.

It seemed that the bracket on the bulkhead had been welded in the wrong place, despite it being ok with the original column - like you, I didn't take too much notice as I took the original one out.

Bizzarely, when trying to fit it the following day, it went in ok although it still doesn't sit quite centrally in the grommet -I've packed it with Dum Dum and all seems ok now.

Not much of an explanation, but at least you're not alone !

Cheers

Julian

[martin]

Sadly the words "build quality" leap to mind, mine's the same, got the grommet in but only by "adjusting " it.

[72BLUE]

Here are pics of the original '73 column and secondly the '75 column. There are differences apparent......

73 Col.jpg75 col.jpg

[72BLUE]

Doing this to the bracket does not work!

No Use.jpg

[72BLUE]

However, this does! Sorted! It is quite easy to bend the bracket, only light hammer taps needed, but leave the bolt in if you have a go.

OK.jpg