8 replies to this topic

[JonnyAlpha]

Hi;

 

Both stalks on my steering column are quite loose e.g. lots of play.

Is this normal - will it pass an MOT - can they be tightened?

 

Thanks 

[slidehammer]

I had this and the Mini did pass it's MOT but they were all working properly just a bit loose. What you will probably find is the plastic clap has snapped due to age and fatigue I glued mine but added a metal strengthening piece to the outside of the clap to reinforce the glue joint and it is now nice and tight again

[mk1leg]

as above

remove covers and look see there is a pozi screw that needs tightening or clamp is snapped..

[tiger99]

Something of which you should be aware. Some years ago someone repaired his stalk mountings with a self tapper. Nothing wrong with that, except that the hardened point of the screw, unknown to him, was contacting the inner column, which caused a small groove to form. The resulting stress raiser caused a fatigue fracture of the column, which happened at speed, and he was killed.

So depending on what exactly you are doing, it may be necessary to avoid pointed self tappers. There is always another way, or several. If they are not pointing towards the column, but tangential, they are of course ok.

Actually there is a general point there, always watch where the business end of screws are going. We all know of, and many of us (yes, me too) have done it, locking our flywheel ring gear by using the wrong slave cylinder bolts, for instance. Or bottoming a bolt and jacking a huge chunk of metal out of our valuable engine block...

This is all about developing engineering instinct and a sharp pair of eyes, which come with experience. I am by no means suggesting that anyone is stupid, just identifying a potentially fatal trap to avoid. The guy who killed himself was actually fairly accomplished at engine tuning and such like, yet he was caught out, which is why I mention it.

[JonnyAlpha]

Thanks fellas. 

I'll take the steering column cover off and take a looksee. No pointy self tappers :-0

[tiger99]

Good!

[1984mini25]

Thanks fellas. 

I'll take the steering column cover off and take a looksee. No pointy self tappers :-0

 

But you can fix them with 2 self tappers and a hose clip...

 

http://www.theminifo...o-20/?p=3380909

[JonnyAlpha]

 

Thanks fellas. 

I'll take the steering column cover off and take a looksee. No pointy self tappers :-0

 

But you can fix them with 2 self tappers and a hose clip...

 

http://www.theminifo...o-20/?p=3380909

 

Nice repair. 

What length self tappers did you use? I could try this with it still fitted as I don't have a socket large enough for the steering wheel (yet)?

[1984mini25]

 

 

Thanks fellas. 

I'll take the steering column cover off and take a looksee. No pointy self tappers :-0

 

But you can fix them with 2 self tappers and a hose clip...

 

http://www.theminifo...o-20/?p=3380909

 

Nice repair. 

What length self tappers did you use? I could try this with it still fitted as I don't have a socket large enough for the steering wheel (yet)?

 

 

Not too sure to be honest, as I have a jar of mixed screws for odd jobs and just used whatever were suitable. Although I did have to file the points off them, as they poked though just enough to stop it sliding onto the outer column.

 

The steering wheel nut is 1" 5/16 or about 34mm.