TVR S1 Steering Column problem

[Spike 280S]

Hi

I wonder if someone could help me with regards to a problem I have.

My steering column on my S1 moves up and down when I turn the steering wheel. Its rises and dips.

On closer inspection, there is a sleeve with a bolt in it, I have not got a photo of it yet but hopefully my diagram will show what I mean below. (sorry its on its side)


On tightening the bolt makes it worse suggesting the sleeve has become oval over time or the two ends inside have worn.

I am sure this is something TVR would not have done or did they? (Why am I thinking this is a bodge job by a previous owner, and more importantly why it was never picked up before by MOT stations... oh well).

My TVR was 469th in the production run and is the 2.8 engined.

Does anyone know what the steering column/rod is from as I will need to replace it as I am not happy its in two parts held together by a sleeve, surely this should be one piece.

On reading some of the previous threads/posts the steering rack is from a Chevette and the rest is Ford assemblies.

Is the breakers the best place to get one? Not had success so far on the Internet as I can not be specific at the moment, hence this post. My mechanic has not taken out the car yet so not got a photo of it yet.

Thanks.

[S2Mick]

Hi Spike, just doing the steering bits on my own restoration of an '89 S2.
Currently refurbishing the bits that sit in the engine bay (ie the bit that starts with the triangular shaped end of a UJ down to the steering rack) and I've encountered nothing that resembles your diagram.
If your diagram represents the column before it leaves the cockpit then I have no knowledge.
On an S2, once through the bulkhead the triangular steering column fits into the corresponding fitting on a UJ, exits via a 9/16 fitting onto a splined shaft that takes the steering motion to a double D 9/16 UJ and onto the drive that goes into the rack.
Hope that makes sense ?

[GreenV8S]

I think you're describing the part of the column between the steering wheel and the bulkhead. It's been a couple of decades since I paid any attention to mine, but as far as I recall this is not solid and contains a collapsible section. That's normal and common. The collapsible section should not be loose. Maybe yours has been damaged and got bent.

[Bercilac]

Mines an August 1988 car - 2.8. I don't know if this helps but mine doesn't have the screw thingy you have drawn on your diagram. It seems to have a flatish section going into a roundish section before exiting the bulkhead and joining the under bonnet components via a triangular section bit. Apologies for the lack of technical terms!

[phillpot]

Could be you need one of these ..... column top bearing ?




Might have a second hand one somewhere if £28 is a bit rich for you

[Spike 280S]

Many thanks for your posts S2 Mick, GreenV8S, Bercilac and Philpott.

S2Mick, sorry I should have explained that the sleeve with the bolt attached is in the driving compartment. The steering column (rod) is fouling the clutch pedal. Does yours from inside the driving compartment resemble Bercilac's?

GreenV8S, thank you, I too is wondering if it maybe damaged, my car does have an S3 bonnet on an S1, mmm more questions than answers I think.

Bercilac, thank you for your photo, the bottom part of the rod ie triangular part is the same with the round thing with the holes in that meets the bulkhead. Imagine the top part being the same and in the middle you got the sleeve with the bolt in. (I will try and get a photo of it).

Philpott, I will certainly look to getting this to eliminate any play further down the line in the future.

Any idea what car the steering column and cowling etc have been sourced from? I believe its Ford but not sure which car.

Thanks

[phillpot]

Early base model Sierra, later or posher ones had adjustable column

[tvrgit]

I think there might be two problems here. The play you are feeling, sounds like the upper column bush, as suggested by Philpott.

With regard to the bolt half-way down, it sounds to me like somebody has tried to bodge a repair to remove play in the steering column itself.

Here's the steering column off the car:



The bottom end is a triangular section that "telescopes" up into the main column in the event of an accident. That collapsible safety feature probably works in a Sierra. Not so sure that it's going to make a difference in a TVR though!

The lower section goes into the upper section through a nylon bush - here's a closer pic:



You can just see the white bush in the end of the column.

That bush can wear, and gives a lot of play at the steering wheel - not up-and-down, but play when you turn it. I don't think you can buy that bush any more. The material is very similar to plastic milk bottles, coincidentally.

[Spike 280S]

Hi

Thank you both Phillpot and tvrgit for your posts. Thank you for confirming its a Ford Sierra steering column assembly and for the photos as it gives me an idea of what to look for as I want it to be safe, the bodged one will go in the bin. I'll be speaking with my mechanic with regards to taking out the bodged one while I source one to replace it.

Thanks

[phillpot]

Your lucky day . . . . . clicky

have you noticed how crappy old Sierra parts are now all Sierra Cosworth parts and ten times as much

[v8s4me]

With an ignition switch & two keys as well. That's a good find.

(& one of those circular contact things if you want a horn button)

[Spike 280S]

Hi Phillpot and V8s4me, thank you for your posts. Missed out on that one but my mechanic has come up trumps this morning and located one, so in it goes. Hopefully be back on the road soon. The butchered steering column will now be consigned to the bin. Thank you all for your posts.