Steering column clamp removal

[MissMoppet]

Am trying to change the ignition switch - usual 5 minute job that's going to take most of Easter. Haynes says "Remove the steering column . . . . while supporting the weight of the steering column take out the clamp bolt complete with the lever."
Well I can't get the clamp bolt out. I've timidly given it a bash with no luck - do I just need more welly?

Dave

steering col clamp.jpg

[DJT]

Dave,

If you look closely, there is a small hole in each half of the clamp. There may be a roll pin in there - there definitely is in the RH half shown in your picture. Knock that out first.

[MissMoppet]

Dave,

If you look closely, there is a small hole in each half of the clamp. There may be a roll pin in there - there definitely is in the RH half shown in your picture. Knock that out first.

I'm most grateful for that: I did spot them and looked on the Rimmer parts page but nowt is shown. I'll have another go. However . . . as you can see from pic below there is a carefully hidden grub screw that is cunningly tight against part of the column support. I can slide the column up a bit - without removing the steering clamp bolt but all this shenanigan comes too: there is simply no room to get a screwdriver in. All I can see is dismantle all the bolts top and bottom and hope that it slides out, though this is not mentioned that I can see. Any advice most welcome.

ignition switch.jpg

Dave

[jakesmig]

Take the bolt behind your red arrow out, that should give you enough room.

[MissMoppet]

Take the bolt behind your red arrow out, that should give you enough room.

Yeh cracked it. Taking out the bolt did not solve the problem: had to take out top and bottom bolts which allowed me to fully pull out steering wheel. Incidentally there were NO roll pins in the clamp securing bolt mentioned above - the holes were empty: so still couldn't pull out steering column - but fortunately didn't have to. So far taken me 3 hours - and still have to solder new terminals to switch wiring. C'est la vie. Thanks for all your advices.
Dave

[DJT]

Yeh cracked it. Taking out the bolt did not solve the problem: had to take out top and bottom bolts which allowed me to fully pull out steering wheel. Incidentally there were NO roll pins in the clamp securing bolt mentioned above - the holes were empty: so still couldn't pull out steering column - but fortunately didn't have to. So far taken me 3 hours - and still have to solder new terminals to switch wiring. C'est la vie. Thanks for all your advices.
Dave

Hi Dave,

Surprised to hear there are no roll pins. Your photo clearly shows the end of one in the RH hole.....

image.jpg

Glad you're getting there though.

[LAMBRETTLAD]

There are three types of time 1 ,Normal Time 2 ,Dr Who time ,and the longest of the lot Stag Repair Time

[Goldstar]

4. SWMBO shoe shopping time

[MissMoppet]

Hi Dave,

Surprised to hear there are no roll pins. Your photo clearly shows the end of one in the RH hole.....

[ATTACH=CONFIG]32775[/ATTACH]


Glad you're getting there though.

Quite right. I poked a wire through and as it went through I assumed they're weren't any. Obviously my wire was too thin! Funny that neither Haynes or Rimmer mention it - and fortunately I wiggled round it anyway. I might do a How To with pics as I found the Haynes and Parts Manual somewhat lacking. Happy Easter anyway to all my helpers.

[first sea dog]

Just in case anyone finds this old thread through a search......
The roll pin is hollow on my Mk11 so not easy to see. I managed to drift it out with a drill bit and an instrument screwdriver but it is not easy. When I removed the clamp bolt, I found that it had a flat for the right hand roll pin but nothing to line up with one on the left.
With hindsight, it would have been easier to change the ignition switch by cutting off the multi-pin connector, feeding the wires through the metal guide and then re-soldering the connector.