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What are your thoughts on steering column lowering?
https://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=97830		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Mokesta [ Tue Oct 09, 2018 10:05 pm ]
Post subject:  What are your thoughts on steering column lowering?
My mini has a steering column lowering bracket fitted by the previous owner. I remember I took out the same style bracket on my last mini because the wheel position made it harder to get in and out. Now, with this 850 my knee hits the indicator stalk.

At the All British Day I saw that about 1 in 5 cars had one. Who runs one and why?

Should I keep the bracket and just rotate the column or ditch it?

M
Author:  simon k [ Wed Oct 10, 2018 10:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What are your thoughts on steering column lowering?
I think you should take it out and see whether you prefer it without... if you want it back then put it back
Author:  9YaTaH [ Wed Oct 10, 2018 10:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What are your thoughts on steering column lowering?
simon k wrote:
I think you should take it out and see whether you prefer it without... if you want it back then put it back


I think you should carefully loosen off the rack mtg U Bolts, take out the lowering clamp, rotate the rack to the correct (centred) position, check that the lower pinch bolt is well located and well clamped then see whether you prefer it without... if you want it back then put it back in...
Author:  63lcn [ Wed Oct 10, 2018 10:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What are your thoughts on steering column lowering?
I had one on the car, then removed it for the same reason - damn lanky legs...

I am now used to the car without the lowering link and much prefer the ease of getting in and out with a reasonable driving position. I did however change the wheel to a 14 inch which also helped with the decision to remove the lowering link.
Author:  AWOODY [ Wed Oct 10, 2018 2:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What are your thoughts on steering column lowering?
I have one in my 64 and it brings the wheel a bit closer and a nicer angle to steer with. On my other one (the ute ) you sit further forward and therefore you can't use a lowering bracket.
Author:  Matt I [ Wed Oct 10, 2018 3:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What are your thoughts on steering column lowering?
I have a lowering bracket and a 1" steering wheel spacer, but that's mostly because the seat is mounted fairly low and is pushed back a bit. I couldn't really drive the car comfortably without it.
Author:  Dave I [ Wed Oct 10, 2018 7:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What are your thoughts on steering column lowering?
Does the lowering bracket compromise the collapsible steering column effect in late model Clubmans ?
Author:  Phil 850 [ Wed Oct 10, 2018 8:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What are your thoughts on steering column lowering?
I removed my lowering bracket.
I like the old school (bus) driving position.
Author:  Tim I [ Fri Oct 12, 2018 12:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What are your thoughts on steering column lowering?
Dave I wrote:
Does the lowering bracket compromise the collapsible steering column effect in late model Clubmans ?

Probably.
Author:  mickmini [ Fri Oct 12, 2018 3:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What are your thoughts on steering column lowering?
Tim I wrote:
Dave I wrote:
Does the lowering bracket compromise the collapsible steering column effect in late model Clubmans ?

Probably.

Noting that the rotating column effect is what actually happens in a collision - i.e. the power unit is forced backwards and downwards, pushing the rack backwards and the column rotates around the column mounting bolt until it shears - and that this design feature is present in all early minis. Have a look at crashed minis and where the steering wheel ends up - more or less in the roof space and not your face.

You have to ask yourself if the convenience of the slight angle change to the column is worth the potential risk of that flimsy little lowering bracket (check the gauge of the steel vs the original mount) and the extra bolt that may shear earlier or later than the appropriate bolt. If so, angle away me hearties!

Note that in my car i have a lowered column but the mount is entirely replaced by a robustly made bracket without adjustability. I also use the appropriate shear bolt. But then again i also have a full roll cage and harness :-)

cheers
michael
Author:  timmy201 [ Fri Oct 12, 2018 3:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What are your thoughts on steering column lowering?
There are a couple of places out there selling heavy duty versions
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-Race ... 2661236333
https://swiftune.com/parts-shop/steerin ... et-40.html
Author:  mickmini [ Sat Oct 13, 2018 8:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What are your thoughts on steering column lowering?
timmy201 wrote:
There are a couple of places out there selling heavy duty versions
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-Race ... 2661236333
https://swiftune.com/parts-shop/steerin ... et-40.html

I bought one of the first batch of the heavy duty ones from Tom 10 years ago before he was putting them on ebay, but not made from stainless steel. Powdercoated black.
Author:  Mokesta [ Sun Oct 14, 2018 10:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What are your thoughts on steering column lowering?
Thanks for the feedback guys, I’ll take it out for now. A good job for a rainy Sunday.
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