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MG TD TF 1500 - steering column chafing on oilpump

I need your help or suggestion. After installing the Ford 5-speed gearbox I have trouble with chafing the steering column on the Oil pump housing. I use the kit from Hi-Gear-Engineering. Yes, the small silent block in front of the engine is properly installed.

The Conversion runs very well, not any problem, except the chafing of the steering column, which makes me nervous. I grease regularly but this cannot be the answer.

Any suggestion?

Guenter


Guenter

Hello Guenter. My suggestion would be to extend the the control link on the other side of the engine a little bit by unlocking the two lock nuts and rotating the center nut to slightly rotate the engine and oil pump away from the steering column.

Butch Taras
VMG
Glendale, Ca.
R Taras

Is there any vertical adjustment left up at the steering wheel? Every fraction helps.

You might try adjusting the engine over a smidge with the engine stabilizer, as Butch suggests.

Holes in the motor mount could be elongated to shift the engine over.

If all else fails, you may consider shimming the rack & pinion up a touch.

Been there, done all that.

Good luck, Guenter!
Jim Northrup

Hi Guenter,
Have you tried adjusting the rear tranny mount on the Hi-Gear kit. It can be tilted to lower the motor in relation to the steering shaft. If you try to adjust the engine stabilizer too much, you could have the motor off-centre. I would try the rear mount first. Let us know how you make out.
Cheers Phil
Phil Atrill

I have the same issue on my TF. Not really a problem but still a concern in the back of my consciousness.

But rotating the Hi gear gearbox mount downwards will also mean lowering the front floorboard support rail and the exhaust pipe. No problem with that?

Regards,

Jan
Jan Kristoffersen

Jan, As can be seen in the image, I believe that the floorboard support rails are clamped directly to the crossmember, independent of the tranny mount. The exhaust pipe will move in tandem with the gearbox, but can be readjusted at the clamp linkage if required, (see second image). You would only have to slightly tilt the gearbox mount downward to give you clearance between the steering shaft and oil pump. Regards Phil


Phil Atrill

Second image


Phil Atrill

last image


Phil Atrill

Hello Phil,

Thank you for the very informative pictures, which I was so structured that I took photos under way.

You are absolutely right about the floorboard support rails, they attach to the remains of the old gearbox mount.

I have just returned from the garage for a cup of coffee after lowering the gearbox mount. Seems as the steering really freed up with the car on jacks. Will do a test ride within an hour an report back.

Regards,

Jan
Jan Kristoffersen

Test ride report. The steering really freed up, and engine vibrations are no longer relayed to the steering wheel. A slight knock from the front universal joint into the prop shaft tunnel when driving over speed humps is also cured. An easy fix!

Another comment: the old gearbox must have eaten up much power in the indirect gears which is now delivered to the rear wheel, courtesy of Ford Sierra. The car is just so much more lively.

Regards,

Jan
Jan Kristoffersen

This thread was discussed between 03/05/2012 and 07/05/2012

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