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MG TD TF 1500 - Collapsible steering column for TD/Y types

I own a YB which is mechanically very similar to a TD. I was wondering if any TD owners have ever fitted a modified collapsible steering column e.g. one from a Mk 3 midget which I m told can be modified to fit. The existing s/column is a bit too solid and potentially chest impaling for my liking and given its mounted in front of the chassis its a bit unsafe [in my opinion] and could be hopefully modified? I would have thought this must have been sorted by TD owners by now but maybe not? Any ideas gratefully received.
D MULLEN

From the archives:
Posted 05 June 2012 at 13:17:43 UK time
M C Griffiths, United Kingdom, michael.c.griffiths@gmail.com

The Naylor Tf built by Naylor bros in the 1980's has a collapsible steering column probably from the Morris Ital.
For more info see Naylor car club site and links

Bud
Bud Krueger

Thanks for the information. ..am suprised it's not a common modification for T and Y types given the safety improvement. I had the idea of taking the lower bit out which has the three holes at the end for the bolts and rubber bushes and replacing it with one with a u/j on and using that with a different collapsible column. I'll ask for advice from kit car people maybe.
D MULLEN

I didn't buy a TD because I wanted a safe car, but then, I own 2 Corvairs...
chuck
Safety fast LOL
cj schmit

If you change anything over, make sure you save all the original parts, as the next caretaker of the car will probably want to put them back in place. JMHO. PJ
Paul161

I second that - definitely make it reversible.
ThereŽs only so much you can do to increase safety in the TD. IŽd always start with belts. Without a 3- or 4 point harness, a collapsible steering column is pretty pointless
Rgds, Mike
Mike Fritsch

Don't know how to put it in a gentlemanly way but, driving an antique car is quite like riding a motor cycle, there are risks involved for the enjoyment received. If the risks outweigh the enjoyment, makes sense not to ride one. An antique car is the same, no seat belts, no collapsible steering shaft, no crash proof dash and no air bags and compared to todays cars, because they weren't designed to run on the freeways, their not very safe. But we except the risks involved just for the enjoyment of driving them. Most of us are purists at heart and reject major changes. If it was me and I was afraid of being injured or killed in one of these cars because they were designed 60 years ago without all the safety equipment, I'd buy something more modern, sorry but their not for everyone. I modernized mine, I put lap belts in it. JMHO. PJ

Paul161

I'm with D. Mullen on this emphatically. Anything that can be done to make driving one of these old cars safer should be done. How about all you owners who have converted to disc brakes - this is a much more intrusive modification than a collapsible steering column. As for changing the "driving experience" I hardly think a steering column modification would change this unlike, for example, the much touted 5-speed conversion. I have been driving "T" series cars since the mid 60's and have always been concerned with making the car safer. I always installed seat belts and, on some occasions, a roll bar. In addition the windscreen was set so that it would fold down in the event of a crash.
On my next "T" car I will be installing seat belts, a collapsible steering column and a brake fluid reservoir on the bulkhead where it is easily visible.
JMHO Hugh Pite
H.D. Pite

I think you can enjoy older cars as long as you either dismiss the risks entirely and trust to fate and good luck or make sensible modifications such as have been mentioned...a collapsible steering column from another car would not be at all intrusive and save you from an unnecessary injury...any ideas on the best and simplest way of doing it would be interesting. If you google crash photos involving solid steering columns you may have a bit if trouble sleeping. Of course you cant eliminate risk but sensible modifications may save your life.



D MULLEN

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=car+crash+steering+column&prmd=isvn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjjgrHswpPNAhXHDsAKHenxCP8Q_AUIBygB&biw=360&bih=567&dpr=2#imgrc=7yXtLHztVpUpcM%3A

I think you can enjoy older cars as long as you either dismiss the risks entirely and trustvto fate and good luck or make sensible modifications such as have been mentioned...a collapsible steering column from another car would not be at all intrusive and save you from an unnecessary injury...any ideas on the best and simplest way of doing itcwould be interesting.



D MULLEN

I have no problems with modifications that are
a) reversible
b) useful or practical
c) improve performance and/or safety.

I'm always amused at the people who think nothing of strapping on turbochargers, special cams, modern gearboxes, or anything to increase speed in our unsafe cars but who cry foul when someone talks about a safety modification...

I have 3 point seatbelts mounted to a rollbar, all fully reversible. It gives me considerable peace of mind squealing around corners :)

To each their own.
Geoffrey M Baker

This thread was discussed between 02/06/2016 and 06/06/2016

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