Series 3 - Angle of steering column as it exits bulkhead

Software-and-Swarfega · Apr 24, 2022

Hi,
I've been refitting my steering box on my 77 Series 3 after nearing 2 years of it being off the vehicle. I've only finger tightened some bolts so far but I have noticed that the steering column and box appear to be at quite an offset/angle - it's noticeable when standing in front of the vehicle looking straight on at the column at where it exits the bulkhead.

Is it meant to be like this or should it be perfectly straight?

Unfortunately, I didn't take any straight-on photos prior to removal and I can't find any reference pictures on the web / in my manuals.

From inside the vehicle, with the steering wheel placed on the spline of the column it seems ok but to be honest it's hard to tell with the state everything is in at the moment.

I've tried to attach a few photos to show what I mean - including some showing how the steering box bracket IS bolted correctly. If someone could let me know if this is "normal" or whether I've made some stupid mistake in refitting then I'd be most grateful.

John

Software-and-Swarfega · Apr 24, 2022

Forgot to say: The bracket holding the steering box is not bent or twisted, and neither is the chassis.

TS2304 · Apr 24, 2022

I’m no expert but I’d say it was meant to be straight. Hard to see well on mine with all the crap in the way but it seems a straight run to me

Software-and-Swarfega · Apr 24, 2022

TS2304 said:
I’m no expert but I’d say it was meant to be straight. Hard to see well on mine with all the crap in the way but it seems a straight run to me
View attachment 263710 View attachment 263711

Thanks for your reply - as you say it's hard to see from your photos will everything in there. Looking closely though (unless it's wishful thinking) I think yours angles as well - at least that's what i'd guess from the angle of the bracket holding the steering box. Hopefully, someone will be able to give a definitive answer.

Beneagles · Apr 24, 2022

3 Pics that might help:

It sometimes helps to have the thing stripped down!
Pic 2 shows the shaft absolutely true to the seam weld on the chassis
Pics 1 and 3 show a slight slew on the column to the right as we see it. There is, however, play in the bracket as it is currently not attached to the bulkhead. I can pull it back to the point of the column being "true" but no further.
I suspect therefore that the column should be straight.

Software-and-Swarfega · Apr 24, 2022

Beneagles said:
3 Pics that might help:

View attachment 263736

View attachment 263737

View attachment 263738

It sometimes helps to have the thing stripped down!
Pic 2 shows the shaft absolutely true to the seam weld on the chassis
Pics 1 and 3 show a slight slew on the column to the right as we see it. There is, however, play in the bracket as it is currently not attached to the bulkhead. I can pull it back to the point of the column being "true" but no further.
I suspect therefore that the column should be straight.

Thank you for the pictures. When I saw your first photo I thought "good", as that is what mine looks like but then I read your comment

If your suspicion is correct then I have no idea what the hell has happened - as I have not changed anything on the chassis, bulkhead, or toe box. Everything went back together smoothly, and all the bolt holes lined up.

marjon · Apr 24, 2022

@border
Maybe able to get a good pic as he is sort of at that stage too

.

J

Turboman · Apr 24, 2022

Software-and-Swarfega said:
Hi,
I've been refitting my steering box on my 77 Series 3 after nearing 2 years of it being off the vehicle. I've only finger tightened some bolts so far but I have noticed that the steering column and box appear to be at quite an offset/angle - it's noticeable when standing in front of the vehicle looking straight on at the column at where it exits the bulkhead.

Is it meant to be like this or should it be perfectly straight?

Unfortunately, I didn't take any straight-on photos prior to removal and I can't find any reference pictures on the web / in my manuals.

From inside the vehicle, with the steering wheel placed on the spline of the column it seems ok but to be honest it's hard to tell with the state everything is in at the moment.

I've tried to attach a few photos to show what I mean - including some showing how the steering box bracket IS bolted correctly. If someone could let me know if this is "normal" or whether I've made some stupid mistake in refitting then I'd be most grateful.

John

Doubt if that is going to give you any problem, the ball joints in the linkage will correct any slight deviation.

But if you are worried about it, undo the bolts on the support bracket on the bulkhead, and try and tap the bracket across a bit with a hammer.
Then retighten the bolts, and see if the shaft looks any straighter.

Software-and-Swarfega · Apr 24, 2022

Turboman said:
Doubt if that is going to give you any problem, the ball joints in the linkage will correct any slight deviation.

But if you are worried about it, undo the bolts on the support bracket on the bulkhead, and try and tap the bracket across a bit with a hammer.
Then retighten the bolts, and see if the shaft looks any straighter.

Thanks for your input. There is no lateral adjustment on the bulkhead bracket - the main part of the bracket screws directly into two holes in the bulkhead - fixed position - and the secondary two-part bracket only has u-shape vertical slots for minor vertical adjustment.

Turboman · Apr 24, 2022

Software-and-Swarfega said:
Thanks for your input. There is no lateral adjustment on the bulkhead bracket - the main part of the bracket screws directly into two holes in the bulkhead - fixed position - and the secondary two-part bracket only has u-shape vertical slots for minor vertical adjustment.

You could always open up the holes a bit with a rat tail file.

Looking at the pics, I am guessing you have done quite a bit of work on that. If you have removed, or done major welding on, the bulkhead, it is highly unlikely it will be sitting in exactly the same place as it was before, which may be what is causing the issue.

I will have a look at one in the morning, see how straight it is.

Software-and-Swarfega · Apr 24, 2022

Turboman said:
You could always open up the holes a bit with a rat tail file.

Looking at the pics, I am guessing you have done quite a bit of work on that. If you have removed, or done major welding on, the bulkhead, it is highly unlikely it will be sitting in exactly the same place as it was before, which may be what is causing the issue.

I will have a look at one in the morning, see how straight it is.

I haven't actually done any major work on the bulkhead - just some cleanup and repair of minor holes in the footwell. Thanks for offering to take a look in the morning - it's appreciated.

Turboman · Apr 24, 2022

Software-and-Swarfega said:
I haven't actually done any major work on the bulkhead - just some cleanup and repair of minor holes in the footwell. Thanks for offering to take a look in the morning - it's appreciated.

Apologies, but on re-examination, I see that the vehicle with the bulkhead off is actually Beneagles' motor.

Bobsticle · Apr 25, 2022

I can’t see my steering bits as they are full of thick oily crap and rotting leaves but I’m sure they’re under there somewhere.

steve2286w · Apr 25, 2022

Here’s mine if it helps, best get all the links connected and see how it looks then

Turboman · Apr 25, 2022

steve2286w said:
Here’s mine if it helps, best get all the links connected and see how it looks then
View attachment 263806 View attachment 263807

Looks about the same angle as ours, which is a bit more visible, as it doesn't have servo brakes.
Steering works fine, although the column isn't absolutely parallel with the brake and clutch pedal boxes.

Software-and-Swarfega · Apr 25, 2022

steve2286w said:
Here’s mine if it helps, best get all the links connected and see how it looks then
View attachment 263806 View attachment 263807

Thanks for the photos but it’s really hard to tell. I think I’m going to have to have a look under someone’s bonnet, as I just can’t tell for sure - but I still cannot work out for the life of me what can have happened. The car hasn’t been moved since removal.

Turboman · Apr 25, 2022

Software-and-Swarfega said:
Thanks for the photos but it’s really hard to tell. I think I’m going to have to have a look under someone’s bonnet, as I just can’t tell for sure - but I still cannot work out for the life of me what can have happened. The car hasn’t been moved since removal.

What makes you think it wasn't always like that?

And what problem do you think it is going to cause in use?

Software-and-Swarfega · Apr 25, 2022

Turboman said:
What makes you think it wasn't always like that?

And what problem do you think it is going to cause in use?

Ha, no I don’t know that it wasn’t like that before but I’d like to be as sure as I can be be. This is my first job of this scale (at the moment the front axle, steering relay etc are also waiting to be reattached ) so I don’t want to make things worse if I can help it

Turboman · Apr 25, 2022

Software-and-Swarfega said:
Ha, no I don’t know that it wasn’t like that before but I’d like to be as sure as I can be be. This is my first job of this scale (at the moment the front axle, steering relay etc are also waiting to be reattached ) so I don’t want to make things worse if I can help it

You won't. Because the ball joints will take out any slight discrepancy in the angle of the drop arm, which is the only possible result of an angled steering column.

In my opinion, you would do better on concentrating on getting ball joints with grease nipples, and cutting a small round hole in the inner wing, immediately forward of the steering box bracket, so you can get a grease gun in to grease the drop arm ball joint without removing the wing.

David Leech · Apr 25, 2022

Software-and-Swarfega said:
Thanks for the photos but it’s really hard to tell. I think I’m going to have to have a look under someone’s bonnet, as I just can’t tell for sure - but I still cannot work out for the life of me what can have happened. The car hasn’t been moved since removal.

Hi S&S, I've a 1979 project and just looked under the bonnet. Mine has the same amount of offset as in your pics so it must be a standard thing. I'll try get a pic of mine tomorrow, I have the pedal boxes removed and the bulkhead is 'holy'!.....

Series 3 - Angle of steering column as it exits bulkhead

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