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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Steering column loose

My steering wheel can be pulled out by about 3 inches and the column comes right off the splines, I have tried totighten the bolt but it looks like it is as tight as it can go, and it still can be pulled off.
Anyone an idea what i can do?
I Hamilton

I posted about this potential problem just last week - it is a "calamity about to happen" that is worth checking for!

The splined end of the pinion shaft in the steering rack should have a notch cut into it that the pinch bolt locates into - a safety design so that unless the bolt drops completely out then the steering column shouldn't be able to be pulled fully clear of the pinion causing total loss of steering. So on re-assembling you need to make sure that the steering shaft is pushed on far enough to allow the bolt to locate into the pinion notch. Then it should just tighten up properly. If it doesn't it suggests wear in the splines or maybe the pinch bolt clamp has stretched?
Guy Weller

Have you any idea what size of bolt should be used for the pinch?
I Hamilton

1/4" UNF IIRC.

Are you sure the column is coming off the splines?

If it's a collapsible column, it could be that it has collapsed!
Dave O'Neill 2

I don't think it is a matter of asking the size of the bolt the first thing to do is confirm whether the pinch bolt is in place or not? that will then help to find the real reason for the problem
Robert (Bob) Midget Turbo

When reassembling, just before putting the bolt in, turn the steering until you can shine a light down the bolt hole and see the groove in the spline. Then you know it's pushed onto the spline far enough.
Ant Allen

Hi guys,
I have got the pinch bolt and it was in there. When i push the steering wheel in the column goes right down against the steering box and when i pull hard enough it comes right off the spline. Will have a look Ant at the groove tonight and see if its there. By the way the bolt seems to be a 10mm going by the spanner that fits. I will have a look for a 1/4" unf.
Thanks for the advice guys
I Hamilton

I presume you mean 10mm AF, IIRC the standard pinch bolt is 1/4 UNF, at least on my Mk1 sprite.
David Billington

I Hamilton, sounds like you've got a metric bolt in there, m6.
Thats just a little bit thinner. 1/4" = 6,35 mm. When your hole is a bit sloppy as well (sorry) then there's play enough to pull it off.
Get a proper 1/4" with a part with no thread.
Alex G Matla

this is a pic of the splines and a smooth section but doesnt seem much to stop it coming off. Note the slot on the shaft not much to pinch?


I Hamilton

Suggest you clean everything off well and examine splines for wear, Coupling should fit with virtually zero wriggle before you fit the bolt. Then go get some new parts. Use a high grade bolt and make it TIGHT!

My wife once had the sobering experience of the steering wheel just turning round and round whilst trying to get the Austin America out of a parking spot. The pinch bolt was tight, but not tight enough, and it neatly wore the splines off the female bit, rack perfectly OK. I had noticed a barely perceptible looseness (less than 1/8" at the steering wheel rim), but had thought it was in the rack. This is a real and not uncommon problem with cars with no u-joint (Spridget/Mini/1100/1300) or a stiff coupler (Spitfire/Herald). The slightest misalignment of the column vs the rack will work it loose eventually if the joint is not dead tight.

FRM
FR Millmore

Many thanks for all your help folks, i have ordered a Bolt and Nut from MOSS Spares so that should be the correct one. I tried MGOC Spares but they only had the Bolt and not the Nut (strange i thought) anyway i will post the results here when it arrives.
I Hamilton

Make sure the bolt is a T grade or equivalent and not an S grade which is too soft. If Moss send an S grade (it has an S on the head) send it back.

You can use an aircraft AN bolt as an alternative to an S grade.
Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

Hi all i got the correct bolt and it fitted fine and stopped the shaft pulling right off however i still could not tighten it enough. The mot man said to take the bolt out and run a hacksaw blade down the gap on the shaft to clean it out and widen it slightly, i did that and it tightened up great with a little space to spare. All ok now and MOT passed.
Thanks for all help guys
I Hamilton

This thread was discussed between 12/07/2009 and 26/07/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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