P38A Steering column

[tanis8472]

Guys,

Does it matter what position the upper steering column has in relation to the steering wheel and lower column.
As far as i can tell none of the parts are keyed.
I know the middle spline is not keyed and the steering box end isnt either.

I'm trying to re-align the steering wheel with the drag link and steering box to how it would have left the factory. Ive fitted a new lower shaft today. I've also got a drag link on order to fit this week.

Cheers

 

[Fergie46]

The steering box has to be centred, that's essential to be done before anything else.

 

[tanis8472]

Thanks, I know that.
Without stripping steering wheel etc, I just need to know if there are any keyed parts in there. If not it shouldn't matter if lower shaft is out by a spline for example.
I don't know if its been apart before, I'm guessing it has.
At the moment, the wheel doesn't have quite the same angle on full lock.

 

[wammers]

Thanks, I know that.
Without stripping steering wheel etc, I just need to know if there are any keyed parts in there. If not it shouldn't matter if lower shaft is out by a spline for example.
I don't know if its been apart before, I'm guessing it has.
At the moment, the wheel doesn't have quite the same angle on full lock.

Say bye bye to your rotary coupling then. The steering box MUST be centred. The steering wheel MUST be centred. Then the link shaft fitted. If the steering wheel is then slightly out of position steering wheel can be set by adjusting drag link length with wheels pointing dead ahead.

 

[tanis8472]

Rotary coupler is fine. All still working. It's still set as it was before lower shaft was replaced.

Still hasn't answered my question though.
I have a new drag link coming this week as the adjuster is seized solid.

So, I need to center steering box and steering wheel then put on lower column, then get wheels centered.

 

[tanis8472]

Does the upper shaft have any lockstops or other bits in it or is it purely a shaft.

I guess it's best to remove coupler etc the center it. Oh the joys of previous bodgers

 

[Fergie46]

The lock stops are located on the axle itself.

There is a lower shaft which has a uj then a rubber coupling at the upper end of it and a separate uj at the steering box end.

The lower shaft upper uj connects to the bottom of the steering column.

As Wammers says, centre the steering box and the steering wheel to avoid damage to the rotary coupling, then fit the above mentioned lower column shaft and lower uj.

It's unlikely you'll have to adjust the lock stops, amongst other things they prevent the cv joints being over angled and are factory set - there's no real need to touch them normally.

Your new drag link adjusters can be used to fine tune the set up of the steering wheel when all's done.

 

[Fergie46]

Forgot to add....if you remove the offside front roadwheel and the wing liner, you'll find better access to this lower column looking at it from the side instead of only from above.

 

[tanis8472]

So nothing in the upper bit.
Lovely.

I'm "guessing" that the steering wheel has been adjusted, as lock to lock is slightly different each side.
It stops with the corner of the boss about 4in different in relation to the shroud.

Thanks guys