Guys, after having the service done on my car, the one big thing the mechanic informed me of, was that the steering column in my clubby was able to move up and down.

If you find this problem, get a couple 7/16 spanners, and tighten the bolt up at the bottom of the steering column. (Inside the cab, right at the floor)

If it's not kept tight, it allows the splines to wear until eventually, it just dont work. I'm sure most of you like your mini coz it goes round corners well. If ya dont watch that, then it wont go round corners at all.

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"He's always been a dickhead, He always is a dickhead, He will always be a dickhead. So stop complaining when he acts like one."

Thanks man! Come up a treat! Tho they gotta be done up HELLUVA TIGHT! Been wondering how to fix it for some time.

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If you do it up real tight and it's still moving, take it off and have a look.

If the slot is closed up tight, put a hacksaw through it again so there's some gap to nip up.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

You don't get a lot of warning when those spines go, as i found out. I was driving home from work and remember thinking that the steering didn't feel quite as responsive as usual. Next morning, reversing out of the driveway, i pulled on the wheel only to find it spin more or less uselessly. Could be dangerous if you're going quick (which is what minis are for).

Seems to be fairly common. The bloke at Morris Mania, Adelaide reckoned he'd replaced about a dozen steering columns on minis for the same reason, and i think he only been in the business for less than a year.

The bolt at the base of my column was very tight, though, so maybe the slot had closed up.

Your idea has a lot of merit Dr Mini, but i would be wary of enlarging the gap considering the splines must be fairly well worn out if its allowing it to close up that much already.

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"He's always been a dickhead, He always is a dickhead, He will always be a dickhead. So stop complaining when he acts like one."

Out of interest (ignorance) is this the same for a roundnose..?

Yep...this is one of the weakest design features in ALL Minis....I know FROM HARD EXPERIENCE

If you have ever had steering failure at an appreciable rate of knots and lived to tell about it....then let me know

Listen to the Doc....the column needs to clamp the splines on the rack firmly....obviously...if the the splines in the column are stuffed then GET a REPLACEMENT COLUMN IMMEDIATELY

Your idea has a lot of merit Dr Mini, but i would be wary of enlarging the gap considering the splines must be fairly well worn out if its allowing it to close up that much already.....SEE ABOVE!!!

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"Show me the Mini!"

Also check this if you ever get a rack changed. Baracade got his rack replaced, less than 24hrs later the car went straight ahead at a turn.. could have been real nasty..
Spline on new rack (UK?) was slightly smaller than his old one.. and the column was that worn it had no gap where it's split, so was loose.

Be careful, people..

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.