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MG TD TF 1500 - Steering column location

I have noticed that the nut/bolt at the top of the steering column is just scraping the lower edge of the dashboard (see photo). From the shape of the cut out in the dash it looks as if the wheel should be about 1" or so further to the right, but I can't see any way of adjusting the lateral position of the steering column. Does anyone know whether this is possible?

Matt


Matt Davis

Matt, The clamp just needs to be loosened and turned to the bottom side of streeing column. Cheers Phil
Phil Atrill

Matt.. Try loosening the two bolts that mount the bracket to the firewall. I think you might find enough slack to move the column over a bit.Failing that the bolt holes could be slightly enlarged enough to succeed. The rubber bushings at the lower end will have enough slack to accomodate the slight shift.
Sandy
SANDY SANDERS

I have the same gouge out of the bottom of my dash....
gblawson(gordon- TD27667)

I don't know if the clamp will go to the bottom side, but if it is turned over so the carriage head of the bolt is to the top, and the nut is to the bottom- you may gain some clearance.

Dallas
Dallas Congleton

I might be wrong, but I believe the location of the carriage bolt is fixed by the relief in the column.

You can drop the column slightly at the mount bracket, as Sandy says. You can also rotate the bracket about the two bolts that hold it to the cowl wood and achieve a different position in the opening. Poke your head up underneath and look at the slotted holes in the bracket.

My clamp and carriage bolt is more under the inner dash than the outer dash. The inner dash has a higher relief. My clamp and carriage bolt is also centered (roughly) in the opening. It is a LHD car though, and I just flat out assembled it with the column centered.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Matt,
As Dave Braun said the position of the carriage bolt is fixed, and my clamp is also further inboard.
Since you say the position of the shaft appears to be too far to the left, I'm wondering if the firewall/bulkhead bracket has been fitted to the wrong bulkhead bolts, and should be moved one set to the right?
If you want to come over and take a look at my set-up email me.
Mike.
Mike Christie

mike, you think you have trouble, my steering wheel is 2 feet farther left than yours! LOL! good luck with the adjustment. regards, tom
tom peterson

Thank you for the various pieces of advice. One thing I can't understand is the description of the steering column bracket fixing. Mine is welded to the roll bar (see photo - sorry slightly out of focus) rather than being attached to the fire wall, presumably this is a modification by a previous owner.
There are slotted holes which will allow some vertical adjustment, but no means of lateral adjustment (unless I file away at the bolt holes). I do not want to drop the steering column as there is only just enough room for my legs in its current position!

Matt


Matt Davis

Never seen a bracket like that-but it looks really well fabricated and maybe factory?. Any chance RHD cars are made like that? The LHD cars all have the piece as described above- see picture. The ears facing bolt onto the inner firewall/tub bolds, and the column fits between the ears on the skinny end. George


George Butz

Matt. I have been working with MG's since 1977 (full time) and have never seen a bracket like that. I suggest getting the correct bracket and fitting it to the two bolts on the bulk head. You might have to remove part or all of that bracket you now have.
Sandy
SANDY SANDERS

There is a photo of a TF chassis on this ebay listing: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MG-TF-1500-Roadster-/180553394631?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2a09d229c7 which has a steering column support bracket like mine. Was this the standard way of supporting the column in a TF? As mentioned in a previous thread, I think my car has a TF chassis and engine although the bodywork is all TD!

Matt
Matt Davis

Matt,

Sharp of you to spot the welded bracket on the ebay TF.
I think both cases are of someone trying to 'improve' on the original design. It was common for TD/TF steering wheels to get wobbly if the bracket was allowed to become loose, or the wood in the cowl deteriorated. Since the original design of the car was sans the tub stiffening hoop, I would imagine that the engineers just continued to attach the steering column with a bracket. It was one less change that had to be observed in the chassis in left and right hand drive, and instead applied to the tub.

A TF chassis will have extra mounting points for the tub forward and a couple of inches higher than on a TD chassis. You can see the difference on the technical section of my website if you download the slave chassis pdf. You can also look for the chassis number on the dumbiron.

Of the two modifications, I think the one on your car is more elegant. The only trouble with the welded bracket is that the adjustability of the column, as you have discovered is greatly reduced. I too would be inclined to grind it off.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Definatly a TF fitting on the hoop. Looks like you have a little room to drop the column with the slotted fixture to me.


LED DOWNEY

Hmmmm LaVerne, are you saying I'm wrong, and is that the picture of your car? If so, I guess I am! I gotta stop posting about TFs...

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Not wrong Dave, just saying it's one of the differences on a TF. Perhaps late TD's? Certainly a more secure method of mounting the steering shaft than the TD. Yes this is the only picture of the TF pre restoration that was sort of clear. You like the all red? You can't see it clearly in the photo but there is a bracket welded to the hoop. A second bracket is then bolted to the first. It is slotted so there is some up and down adjustment.

Kind of like no ground wire on a TD gas tank sender but there is one on the TF.
LED DOWNEY

Hmm. Seems i've started a debate here. The diagram of the TD/TF chassis on the Moss website appears to show a bracket welded to the hoop, but its a bit small to be certain.

I think I may widen the holes in the bracket attached to the steering column into slots to give some sideways movement. I think that 1/4" may be sufficient, as the bolt is only just catching on the underside of the dash. I don't want to drop the wheel as I won't be able to fit between it and the seat.

Thanks for all the comments.

Matt
Matt Davis

This thread was discussed between 29/08/2010 and 31/08/2010

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.