MGB Play in steering

[ATE399J]

All,

1978 'BGT. I have about 1/4" - 1/3" play at the rim of the steering wheel. I have changed the UJ in the column and it made no difference. It doesn't appear to be in the rack. Any ideas?

P.

[wildoliver]

Track rod ends, rack ends, kingpins even. A bit of play is normal, to be honest depending on your experience what your feeling may not even be play but a combination of non power steering rack and high profile tyres.

[jimbob82]

wildoliver said:

Track rod ends, rack ends, kingpins even. A bit of play is normal, to be honest depending on your experience what your feeling may not even be play but a combination of non power steering rack and high profile tyres.

+1 I think that's about normal, I can check my BGT in the morning if you wish, it has a new rack and all new suspension...

[ATE399J]

I'm quite used to "old" cars and non-power steering etc. This appears to be between the wheel and the rack - actially in the column somewhere. I can actually move the steering wheel 1/4" without seeing any motion at the "input" side of the rack. It's as if the steering wheel itself is lose (it's not!).

P

[nta16]

only a quick thought that's dropped in my head - clamp on the steering column, is it done up tight

[awooga]

Kingpins are the usual culprits. Despite regular greasing, I still seem to go through a pair every couple of years.

[ATE399J]

nta16 said:

only a quick thought that's dropped in my head - clamp on the steering column, is it done up tight

There's a clamp on the steering column? Assume you don't mean the ones that are a part of the steering col U/J?

Where is it exactly?

[ATE399J]

Mine is like this:-

http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewProducts.asp...

(Thank-you Moss Europe!)

[nta16]

sorry take no notice of me I forgot you'd put a '78 I was look at your name and thought of earlier cars

[v8bloke]

The collapsible part of the column is secured with some sort of plastic/adhesive. sometimes this breaks allowing the column to move slightly in its sleeve. hope this makes sense.

[ATE399J]

Yes, I think it does. Having had another look last night the play is 'above' the U/J in the column and 'below' the steering wheel - i.e. somewhere in the shaft inside the car. Is this repairable or do I need to change the column / shaft?

[nta16]

when the steering has collapsed I've seen some put they used gorilla(?) glue to rest it, I don't know if that would be applicable to your model year or not

[v8bloke]

It seems to me that when the column was made they slide the two parts together then inject some sort of plastic/adhesive which locates in holes and holds it firm, I took mine apart (factory v8) and reassembled using silicone sealant which has worked. Dont know how collapsible the column is now though.

[nta16]

v8bloke said:

It seems to me that when the column was made they slide the two parts together then inject some sort of plastic/adhesive which locates in holes and holds it firm

that's the style I was thinking of

the earlier one had plastic type pins instead

sometimes these pins are broken when brute force attempts are made to remove the steering wheel, like I did once not knowing about these pins or that the column was collapsible, there an early numbered John Twist video that shows an easy method to remove the steering wheel and without collapsing the column (two people, little and big hammers, shock it off)