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MG MGB Technical - Mountney steering wheel hub problem Redux

I'm flummoxed. I thought certainly the new hub VB sent would fit, the first being a defective piece of machining.

Received the new set (they will only send the complete set - hub and wheel) and mounted it on the steering column. I made certain it was well seated and really cranked down the securing nut. There was still a bit of wiggle, but not as pronounced as the earlier samples.

I actually thought about wrapping some masking tape around the splines on my column, but decided that would not be a safe option.

Took her out for a 30-minute drive and on the return I noted the wiggle was much more pronounced - much more free play - dangerously loose imo, AND, even though I had secured the hub and ensured it was fully seated on the column, I was actually experiencing play back and forth appx .5 inch and growing - the entire wheel assembly was actually sliding back and forth on the column as well as beginning to slip side-to-side!

I gingerly brought her home, uninstalled the wheel, and was amazed to find that about 1/2 inch of the hub splines had just completely sheared off to smooth metal!

There was absolutely no damage to the splines on my steering column. I reinstalled my 16.5 inch diameter banjo wheel, secured it, and it is as solid as a rock.

I'm at a loss. Obviously the interior diameter of the hub is STILL too large, and the hub spline metal is apparently dangerously inferior as well!

At this point, it appears that I will continue to be a contortionist entering and exiting my Camille with her original banjo wheel.
Gary Kinslow '69B roadster Pale Primrose

Jeez Gary, talk about bad luck. I installed a Mountny leather wheel on my 74.5 MGB and had no trouble what so ever. Everything fit tight and after over a year I haven't had to do anything but clean it. I don't know if the splines on the 69 and 74.5 are different though.
John

Gary, The problem is the 68 and 69 spines are different and are like no other MGB. When I went through that several years ago for a 68 I got the correct hub from Jeff Zorn. I had a Mota Lita though so I'm not sure if Jeff can help on your Mountney, send him an email and ask. I doubt that VB has a clue about what to do. If you contact Jeff be prepared to count the splines and measure the diameter of your column shaft.

FWIW, Clifton
Clifton Gordon

Gary,

If you remember, I responded to your last lament about this Mountney fitting problem, having had the same experience fitting one to my 69 C. Here is the info from the hub box as finally supplied by Mini Mania:

Tailored
Boss Adaptor Kit

029 Triumph (Yes, Triumph!)
Herald.....1976
TR4, TR5, TR6.....1976
Spitfire.....1976
(and some others)

Is this correct? I'm guessing that Mini Mania didn't change boxes, but who knows? All I know is that this one fit. Hope this helps.

Paul Briggs
Paul Briggs

Telescopic steering wheel adjustment - just like a Jag :)

Good luck getting the right boss.
Mike MaGee

I ordered mine from a company in the UK and had a similar problem with my 69. They eventually sent me a hub from a Lotus that fit, go figure.
Adam Birnbaum

Paul, mine came in a box with similar inscriptions...interestingly enough, MGB is not among the marques listed on the box. I questioned the rep and she assured me it would fit the B also, and included in the boss box were hub center decals (about the size of a U.S. penny) for Austin-Healey, Triumph, MG.

Have you a link for Mini Mania?
Gary Kinslow '69B roadster Pale Primrose

Gary,

It's www.minimania.com. I took a quick look before answering, and all they list now appears to be for the real Mini and the New (Fake) MINI. (Editorial comment) I bought my wheel about 8 years ago (on sale, of course)and the first hub they sent me was sloppy loose on the splines; almost didn't touch them! After a phone call the second one worked. Funny, they never sent me another catalog after that!
If 'we' ever figure this out I will want to know where and what, 'cuz I have another 69 and was contemplating another Mountney someday.

Paul Briggs
Paul Briggs

Gary,
Re your flummoxed steering wheel hub.
I bought a Mountney hub from the MGOC. It was for a 1970 MGB and did not fit as the spline was a tad too small. I contacted them and they sent another, same part number, but it fit like a glove.Go figure.
By the way their hubs also fit MOMO steering wheels.
Cheers
Jon Rosenthall

Go figure? There were four different splines over the years and North American ones changed at different times to UK ones.
Paul Hunt 2

This thread was discussed between 16/11/2005 and 26/11/2005

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