When is a steering column knackered...?

[GraemeC]

You CANNOT fit a nylon bush from the bottom end because of the through-bolt lugs. And it won't go down from the TOP end because the upper diameter is simply too large)

Or maybe you can…
http://www.minispares.com/product/Class ... o%20search

[1071bob]

Looking at that wear on the splines I reckon someone has fitted a column 'drop bracket' and not slackened the rack U bolts to re-align the pinion splines.

[gs.davies]

Looking at that wear on the splines I reckon someone has fitted a column 'drop bracket' and not slackened the rack U bolts to re-align the pinion splines.

It’s never had one on it. Not as far as I know.

[Fanfaniracing]

In my case i fitted a Quick Rack from my favorite supplier Minispares and i am very pleasant with it since i fitted it.

I put together a awful lot of minis tougher and on a majority of them i had to cut the slice in the column as they were allready 50+ years old and worn out. Replcement MS Rack's didn't were a theme at that time.

You have to keep in mind that our Cars are at least 24+ years old and the majority of them weren't first owners cars. So you don't know the history...

Drop brackets without loosening the U-bolts is one of the things who certainly don't help to prevent play in the Column/ Rack combo...

[minibitz]

(Off at an angle now, same meat, different gravy. Quite how you can get a nylon bush at the bottom end of a steering COLUMN is a mystery to me Kiwi-Minibitz. You CANNOT fit a nylon bush from the bottom end because of the through-bolt lugs. And it won't go down from the TOP end because the upper diameter is simply too large)

I was referring to the Minispares column mentioned by the original poster, not a MK1 column.

Not sure what vintage posters column is but the type Minispares sell now are later MPI style, so a different design and bush configuration. Have a look at your Rover mini and you will see the outer column cover is shorter. The bush is split to enable installation and located further up the shaft.

When used on an earlier setup the outer column tube needs trimming to just above the swage line that retains felt bush, then the inner column can be installed with the nylon bush.

There would be other mods required on early cars such as drilling for horn wire on MK1 and indicator cancelling peg up to MK3. MK4 onwards it's just outer cover trimming required.

steering column.jpg