Ausmini
It is currently Fri Mar 29, 2024 4:19 am

All times are UTC + 10 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 13 posts ] 

Steering column lowering bracket?
Keep the lowering bracket! Only original cars don’t have them and they’re awesome and way cool. 57%  57%  [ 8 ]
Ditch the lowering bracket! It’s not a race car and it more authentic to be driving like it’s a bus. Any your knee won’t hit the indicator. 43%  43%  [ 6 ]
Total votes : 14
Author Message
PostPosted: Tue Oct 09, 2018 10:05 pm 
Offline
1275cc
1275cc
User avatar

Joined: Sat Nov 19, 2005 1:37 pm
Posts: 2495
Location: Vegus, Brisvegus
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


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Oct 10, 2018 10:20 am 
Offline
Yay For Hay!
User avatar

Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2004 9:27 pm
Posts: 15861
Location: Wodonga - Vic/NSW border
I think you should take it out and see whether you prefer it without... if you want it back then put it back

_________________
did I tell you that I won a trophy?


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Oct 10, 2018 10:26 am 
Offline
1360cc
1360cc
User avatar

Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2004 11:32 am
Posts: 12390
Location: Sthrn HiLoLands, NSW, Australia
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...

_________________
"Show me the Mini!"


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Oct 10, 2018 10:34 am 
Offline
848cc
848cc

Joined: Sat Jul 30, 2016 9:20 pm
Posts: 77
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.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Oct 10, 2018 2:35 pm 
Offline
998cc
998cc
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 3:48 pm
Posts: 1186
Location: Bundanoon nsw
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.

_________________
That's why it's good to be.............ME


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Oct 10, 2018 3:43 pm 
Offline
848cc
848cc
User avatar

Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2013 10:48 pm
Posts: 177
Location: Adelaide
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.

_________________
*witty signature*

Sapphire Blue Deluxe spread across three parts cars, two sheds and a driveway...


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Oct 10, 2018 7:22 pm 
Offline
848cc
848cc

Joined: Mon Dec 07, 2015 10:40 pm
Posts: 7
Location: Toodyay WA
Does the lowering bracket compromise the collapsible steering column effect in late model Clubmans ?


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Oct 10, 2018 8:37 pm 
Offline
998cc
998cc

Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:59 pm
Posts: 1029
Location: Western Sydney
I removed my lowering bracket.
I like the old school (bus) driving position.

_________________
Find a job you love and you will never have to go to work !


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 12:55 am 
Offline
848cc
848cc
User avatar

Joined: Sat Mar 23, 2013 9:30 pm
Posts: 299
Location: Adelaide
Dave I wrote:
Does the lowering bracket compromise the collapsible steering column effect in late model Clubmans ?

Probably.

_________________
Don't listen to what I am saying... just understand what I mean.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 3:16 pm 
Offline
1275cc
1275cc
User avatar

Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2004 6:31 pm
Posts: 4663
Location: Sydney - strangely, I am glad of the sight of hills!!
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

_________________
the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates ;-)


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 3:31 pm 
Offline
1275cc
1275cc
User avatar

Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2012 1:19 pm
Posts: 4336
Location: Wollongong, NSW
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

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Oct 13, 2018 8:29 pm 
Offline
1275cc
1275cc
User avatar

Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2004 6:31 pm
Posts: 4663
Location: Sydney - strangely, I am glad of the sight of hills!!
timmy201 wrote:

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.

_________________
the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates ;-)


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Oct 14, 2018 10:57 am 
Offline
1275cc
1275cc
User avatar

Joined: Sat Nov 19, 2005 1:37 pm
Posts: 2495
Location: Vegus, Brisvegus
Thanks for the feedback guys, I’ll take it out for now. A good job for a rainy Sunday.


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 13 posts ] 

All times are UTC + 10 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 14 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  

© 2016 Ausmini. All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.