Right-o, this modification in my car is highly likely not to happen however I would be interested to hear from anyone who has moved the steering column over.

What I'm looking to do is move it about 2 inches over the the right, and straighten it up too. I realise this will require two universal joints and a frame to be fabricated to support the column strongly and safely.

I'm figuring the modification would mainly be seen amongst engine conversion and racing cars if it does. Probably need an engineers certificate too I'm aware.

So, does anyone know anything or have they seen anything or even done the modification?

Cheers!

I'd like to hear more of this too.

It's what tricky did in his el gato build. when I asked him he said it was more trouble than what it was worth as every weld has to be x rayed to ensure it's not going to pack it in. and there really isn't much room to make the steering wheel more vertical unless you move the seat back.
I'm going to have a chat to an engineer about putting a cv joint high up to get a bit more vertical steering wheel.

I'll find the link for trickys when I get home unless someone beats me to it.

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Simplify and add lightness

Why not adapt a standard steering rack with the desired offset?? They are not all powered and that may be easier than cutting and shutting

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"Show me the Mini!"

Changing the rack wouldn't be clever.
If the arms become different lengths the steering geometry will be different for left to right turning, plus there's not enough room between the gas pedal and the brake for the shaft to go.

Found Tricky's thread:

http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=22654&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=120

Very clever person he is, that's a big help for what I'm thinking of tackling, though
hopefully mine will be marginally simpler given I'm still using the Mini steering column,
and not having any adjustments. Trying to make it a bolt in modification too.

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But he's thriving and striving and hugging the turns.

Meane the black moke with the really wide wheels (13" )
has a steering column out of a Toyota of some sort (Landcruiser maybe)
but it has a couple of uni's in it as well as been fully adjustable.
I may be able to get details and photos.

With fat-ass tyres like these I'll bet the column isn't the only steering upgrade!

I am moving the column in mmy Morris 1100, but the process would be very similar in a mini. There is not a lot of room to do it as you say. I found that the steering joint on an escort and a Rover SD1 that are the same spline as the mini rack. You can split the uni joints and match one half to another (ie starlet stop half with rover bottom half) and re asseble the joint. This is what I'll be doing, altough I also make use of a Mitsubishi nimbus middle section.

If you're not doing an engine conversion, and therefore don't have a suitable column to use. Hunt around for one that will fit the bill. Think small cars with upright seating and it may help.

You would need it engineered, you;d have to talk to one to see how much. If you sell it as a safety upgreade, (ie to a colapseable column) then it may help. You do need welds on steering gear xrayed or cracktested, but since I only have on in mine hopefully it will not be too costly.

Cheers
Madmorrie

That steering column looks pretty neat, except for one small thing.
Hardy Spicer U/Js do not transmit rotation at a constant speed when there is angularity.
If there are 2 joints (as in yours) it is usual to arrange the yokes of the middle section to be in line with each other. This way, one joint cancels the speed variation of the other. Input and output velocities will be even.

Having the yokes 90° out like yours are, accentuates this speed change- the errors add.
I believe the steering will feel funny (ie `notchy') as you turn the wheel under load.

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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.

Oh yeah, thanks Doc. I had noticed that a while back, but it does help to be reminded of these things when its months in between working on them.
This was just the mockup install before I had it welded. I'll fix it before it goes in for good.

Madmorrie