Removing steering column to align indicator cancelling clip

[Stocky]

I know there has been a recent thread about this but I want to check something if I may:
My clip is 90 deg out so I want to align it. DJT posted the following advice on the other thread:

Undo and remove the clamp bolt which joins the lower steering shaft to the upper shaft. This is in the engine bay tight against the bulkhead. Undo the clamp bolt at the base of the upper shaft - in the footwell. Undo the three bolts holding the steering column to the dashboard. Withdraw the column from the lower shaft.

At this point, I assume I should be able to pull the entire column up and free from the UJ at the engine bay bulkhead? Mine won't budge at all. I have used lots of PlusGas at the clamp bolt. Any ideas on how to shift it? A lever in the UJ hasn't helped.
Once it is free, does the inner column (with the clip attached) actually slide out of the outer column so I can adjust one relative to the other?
Thanks.
Ross

[Stocky]

To answer my own question and for the benefit of anyone reading this in future: the missing ingredient was an adequate command of Anglo-Saxon profanities, a block of wood and a lump hammer.

[ChrisLD364]

Thanks for posting this - it was me who had the problem.

I had the same issue - the bu***** wouldn't shift. I wrecked a very expensive screwdriver trying to prize it open and achieved nothing.

I'll now try this alternative method - give it some serious welly to push it off the shaft. Another job to do! One day this Stag will be fettled.

Chris

[ChrisLD364]

Of course I must remember the profanities at the same time. That won't help but might make me feel better about bashing it.

[martin]

Don't like hammers ! scary ! try tapping a cold chisel into the slot. Martin.

[Stocky]

I put the wood block behind the steering wheel boss and knocked it upwards. In my car the clamp bolt in the engine bay was vertical so no way of getting anything into the clamp to prise it apart (no access as the split in the clamp is horizontal).
Many lusty blows to the rhythm of "come...on...you...f......b......."

Good luck.

Now I have to get it all back together and I can't get the spline back into the clamp...a two person hammer job I suspect.

[ChrisLD364]

I think I'll wait to hear the result of this before getting out my lump hammer. Or ask the MOT station to do it when next in.

Chris

[GDPR]

Of course you all realise the cancel cam is not fixed, just sprung clipped to the column and can be just moved with a screwdriver to cancel in the right place - ok it wont locate in the column drilling, but it is tight enough that it doesn't move (mine hasnt in 6 years and 26k) and doesnt interfere with normal switchgear working....

Just drop off the cowling and tweak until it cancels in the right place.... Leave the steering alone until you next take it all apart for other work...

Russ

[ChrisLD364]

Hi

I've done that and mine's moved after 100 miles. I could just drill out se dimples as an alternative. Might be easier and not upset the UJ.

[martin]

The problem with all that, is the lock becomes different in each direction. Separating the upper UJ should not be difficult, don't whack it, make sure upper and lower shafts are in line, if you can't get to the slit in the steel, jack up the car and turn the column. Martin.

[ChrisLD364]

Martin - the lock is the same for both sides at the moment. It must have been rebuilt with the column out of alignment. I think I'll drill 2 dimples as I couldn't split open the clamp. A hammer and wedge did no good at all and I even swore at it but it wasn't listening. Chris.

[briancrossy]

My spring clip split in two ,it was so brittle.So I have used a jubilee clip instead.There wasenough clearence so that it did not catch anything and it cancels the indicators perfectly and can be positioned where you want it.Hope this helps. brian

[ChrisLD364]

Ooh I like that. Lateral thinking. I'll try that instead.

[Stocky]

I like the lateral thinking too.
Too late for me though. I've put it all back together with an assistant to guide the column through the bulkhead and engage with the clamp bolt and some gentle tapping on the steering wheel centre to encourage it.
I started out on this as the steering wheel needed centring anyway, as well as the clip position being 90 deg out, so in my mind it made sense to take it all apart to do it properly and once started...