HI again,

More questions .

My steering column vibrates due to the fact that the bottom of the column where the outer column "tube" ends and the inner column starts just before the floor is not a perfect fit and there is about a 2-3mm gap in the diameters. When idling the column vibrates like hell!

Should there be some sort of bearing, bush or rubber seal that goes on the end of the outer steering column "tube" to close up the gap? it's driving me nuts! (sorry for the pun )

[Edit] While I am on this subject is there any way to lengthen the steering column? Like a modern car's telescopic steering feature?

Chong

Yeah sounds like you need new column bushes. I day 'bush' but the bottom one is in fact a piece of felt soaked in oil wrapped around the inner shaft. Yes, it's like that from the factory. I replaced mine recently, and the top bush whilst I was at it (which is a 'normal' plastic bush), but it didn't make a huge difference - but it sounds like yours are well past it.

If you're taking the steering column out anyway, then it is easy to make it longer - find a longer steering column out of another Mini and install that one instead. Job done. I can't think which columns were longer, but there are definately different lengths.

Anto.

Exelent!!! felt dipped in oil, sounds good to me.

I'll check it out as it is driving my absolutely bonkers!

From memory that oil soaked piece of felt was ^&$%@*! expensive if you wanted 'Rover' stamped on it. Which was even more annoying in my case as I had already bought one and misplaced it, and had to buy another!

oh... how was the felt stuck to the column?? glue or what? if it is oiled up then how does oil and glue work?

yea I saw one of those oily felt bushes on ebay a month back. Was new, sold for $10.

I had my column off last weekend and it had a plastic bush on the lower end? Didn't take that much notice at the time because I have no hassles at that end of the column. Might be another option.

Rubber bush.. hrmmm I will go to Padstow Mini Car Clinic and ask them what I need...

thanks guys

I believe later model columns had a plastic bush at the bottom also - but I didn't think the Aussie Minis ever came with such a column (?)
The felt bush isn't glued on or anything, it is wrapped around the outside of the inner shaft, and you slide the outer back over and that holds it in. If you're careful when you pull the column apart you should see how it works from the old bush - if it is still there!

This one driffed about a 1/4" as the column was coming off the spline so had a reasonable look at it. It looked relatively new for the age of the car, so it could well be a replacement part for the original felt bush. No idea of relative costs [felt v's plastic], just offer it as an option for Chong when looking for an ecconomical fix.

Top bushing:
http://www.minidirectaus.com/web/Item/NAM8553/SSaletype/Standard/InvDetail.cfm

Lower Bushing:
http://www.minidirectaus.com/web/AddedFrom/Suggest_invDetail/Item/GSV1127/InvDetail.cfm

Looking at the site, it seems that all Mini's til '85 have the felt lower bushings.

_________________
"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."

Wow PhiloD, that is one kick ass website! time to max out the cc!

You can buy staraight from minispares.com (the same site, same shipping just in GBP instead of Aussie dollars) often you win due to good exchange rates.

But in Australia - top plastic bush is around $5 and the bottom felt one is around 15 (from Karkraft).

If you have that much vibration also make sure that the column is attached properly to the rack and is secured very tightly at the dashboard (chrome steering column bracket).

Thanks mike, yes it's tight, it's just that there is no bush or felt at the bottom the the steering column which leaves a 1-2mm gap and when the car is idling it vibrates like buggery

By the way I checked, the Aus Direct site is cheaper! the brakes in question converted from BP$462 is AU$1,241.86! that's $100 more!