steering column - removing the end piece - how?

[neil.henderson]

I have the engine out at the moment for a rebuild (again ) and decided to take advantage of the space in the engine bay - well, it did seem like a good idea at the time.

I am am replacing the bushes inside the end of the steering column. I've got the column out of the car, but now I need to extract the end piece without damaging the fine grooves that are cut into it - otherwise I will have problems when I refit it into the car (which I want to avoid). Is there a trick to extracting the end piece (the splined part) out of the column? It seems very reluctant to come out at the moment. Is there a special tool I need?

I'm sure one of you has done this before - so any help gratefully received.

Thanks Neil

Murrumbateman, Australia

[dasadrew]

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Not sure what part you are talking about, but I've stripped my complete column down and there were only twofixings which were hidden under gunge- a circlip and a grub screw which hold the lower bush in place.

[elvimto]

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Neil,
I have overhauled the column in the car that I bought it had not been touched since new. The inner shaft will be caked up with crud you have to soak it with a good penetrating oil and then tap it with a dowel dont try to force it all the way once it starts to move. Just move it in and out and clean out the crud as you go. The parts guys sell these rubber collars part # 153040 for the assembly they run about 8 pounds a piece if you can I would make them from teflon and pin them, There is also a kit you can buy to replace the bottom end thrust washers and a different type lock ring for the top of the column I think T Hart sells it. When I finished mine I put in a piece of teflon packing that we use on pump shafts to keep the dirt and water out other than that it is pretty easy to do.

cheers Stuart

[dasadrew]

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elvimto wrote:

...... The inner shaft will be caked up with crud you have to soak it with a good penetrating oil and then tap it with a dowel dont try to force it all the way once it starts to move. Just move it in and out and clean out the crud as you go......
cheers Stuart

I had to chuckle a bit reading this....

My old inner/outer column just fell apart in my hands after releasing the circlip.

The "new" exchange one from Rimmers was caked absolutely solid as a rock. The internalgrease was solidified like tree sap and the whole affair would only come apart with serious blows from a plastic mallet!

[jbuckl]

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part numbers are:-

DX 10 (about 90p each) -2off

12 DX 08 (about 75p each) -1off

Plus vat and p+p

my 'stockist' was Central Bearings- Leamington Spa- 01926 887600

[iani]

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jbuckl wrote:

part numbers are:-

DX 10 (about 90p each) -2off

12 DX 08 (about 75p each) -1off

Plus vat and p+p

my 'stockist' was Central Bearings- Leamington Spa- 01926 887600

What number goes before "DX 10" ?

Ian

[jleyton]

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On the subject of steering columns, I've got quite a bit ofplay at the top end.You canrock the steering wheel both up and down and side to side.

Is 136936 a one piece top bush ?

Is this likely to be my problem ?

Is it easy to fit ?

Any help/guidance/advice/thoughts would be much appreciated.

Cheers

Julian

[milothedog]

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Hi Julian, I completely refurbished mine, you'll probably find thesprag locking washer at the top has moved. the top bearings are a taper type with balls in which oppose each other. I fitted the new type locking ring and have no play now, it's worth trying first as the bearings are about £35 each! the ring is about £10!

Ian.

[jleyton]

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Thanks Ian.

Where did you get your locking ring from?

Cheers

Julian

[milothedog]

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Hi Julian, I got all the parts from Robsport with the exception of the upgraded lower bush kit which I got from e-bay.

Ian.

[neil.henderson]

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Hi,

If you go to the excellent zip file put together by Julian Buckler (which appears later in this subject) you'll see a picture of what I'm referring on the lower half of page 4 of the word document, and it has text "This is what should come out from the end of the outer case of the column." underneath the picture. I tried 4 time to paste the picture in here but my Internet skills :-( failed me! So I hope you can work out which part I'm referring to.

I've pulled on the splined shaft, it's come out a little bit but there must be at least another 2-3 inches to go and it won't budge any more - is there a tool which I need to get?

Neil

[Andy Rundell]

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neil.henderson wrote:

I've pulled on the splined shaft, it's come out a little bit but there must be at least another 2-3 inches to go and it won't budge any more - is there a tool which I need to get?

When i did mine i held the nose of the splined shaft, left the rest of the column hanging in the air, gave the tube a few gentle taps with a hammer in the area of the shaft and it came apart - no special tools.

.......Andy

[milothedog]

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I think I might understand your problem. When I rebuilt mine the steel spacer that sits inside the bottom bush assembly had worn the splined shaft slightly so when you try to extract it catches the step that the spacer has made. ( if that makes sense) I think it's just a case of gentle persuasion and WD40 until it comes out but be careful I don't think you can get the spacer anymore.



Ian.