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MG MGB Technical - Steering alignment gauge 18G 1140

Does anyone have the spec's for one of these tools? Saw one on ebay recently (search Item number 8012743561), but it had already been sold. Looking at the pictures - doesn't seem that complicated. Thinking about having one made. Were steering shaft diameters all the same (say '65 on)? Final question, does one really need to use one of these tools in order to get proper steering alignment?
Steve Buchina

Final answer - no.

Search the archives - it has been discussed before.
Chris at Octarine Services

I made my own. There are a couple of pictures here: http://www.asciimation.co.nz/pics/page5.html

None of that is really needed. I just like any excuse to get to use a lathe and mill.
Simon Jansen

Simon,
Did you write down, happen to remember or could you measure for me the distance from the clamping hole to the tip (point)? One of my sons, who's home for Christmas, saw the picture of this tool hanging on my shop wall. He said, "I can make one of those if you need one." All he needs are the measurements. He wants to make it out of brass with a stainless point. I figure - sure. If I never use it - it sure would look pretty in my special tool drawer.
Steve Buchina

I some thread I have read recently...Moss is in the process of having these made for sale...unfortunately I am sure it will be at a premium price.
Frank

Steve, I measured a Steering shaft and column from a chrome bumper car, the column was a collapsible type, 68-74. Measurements at the splines .750" diameter. Center of clamping bolt to end of steering shaft is about .725". The clamping area on the column shaft is a flat section for adjusting, the center of the flat area to the end of shaft is about .750". Allow a few thou for a decent fit. All chrome bumper cars should have the same dimensions, I'm not sure about rubber bumper cars.

The thread Frank mentioned is;
Thread: Aftermarket steering racks vs. OEM
It's near the bottom of this section.

Clifton
Clifton Gordon

Certainly on my RB V8 the UJ is replaced as a complete unit and does not have a replaceable spider and bearings as the CB roadster does, so the dimensions could well be different. But in both cases the centre of the spider is in the centre of the gap, which is where the two points must meet. In the past I've wrapped a bit of stiff copper wire round each shaft with its point the requisite distance from the end of the shaft, then tweaked radially to be in the centre of the shaft as judged by rotating it, then adjusting the column clamps and rack shims so the two meet.
Paul Hunt 2

Thanks everyone,
Took measurement of steering shaft diameter on one of my 66 B's - as Clifton noted, measured 0.75 inch. Distance from center of clamping bolt groove (rounded not flat on mine) to end of steering shaft - measured 0.77 inch. I'm guessing that my son will also need to know how far the gauge point (cone) protrudes past the shaft end (i.e., to mimic distance from shaft end to center of universal joint). Not sure that this distance is that critical, but a quick measurement for the latter suggests a distance of 1 inch. I think I'll have my son make it with a brass set screw and a gauge length and bore depth deep enough to give at least 0.5 inch free-play either way. Does all of this seem correct?
Steve Buchina

Sorry Steve, I didn't see this last night. When I get home tonight I can measure up mine. But basically the angle of the point and the length of the hole inside the tool don't matter at all. Just the distance from the locking bolt to the centre of the spider in the middle of the u-joint. If you have that you can measure it on there. On mine with the locking bolt though there wasn't any real movement of the tool or the u-joint up and down the shaft.

Paul's method really does work just as well though.
Simon Jansen

Probably too late to mean anything:

I took two sharpened pencils and taped them to the top of both shafts -- from the rack and pinion and the steering wheel -- then made alignenment with the shims on the rack to frame.

Lacking a lathe, (just getting too old to begin building a machine shop) the pictures of the tool lead to the pencil idea.

Just passing on some personal experiences -- probably not woth much.

good luck.
glg

This thread was discussed between 21/12/2005 and 28/12/2005

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