ausmini :: View topic - Different lengths of steering columns?

You don't need to worry about losing the column splines at 80km/hr - when you're steering at low speeds more torque from your arms is required to turn the wheels. Therefore if you have weak teeth in the spline of your column, this is when they'll fail - not when you're applying very little torque to the steering wheel at higher speeds.

That's not what I said Morris.

I was suggesting that, once replaced, there's no need to worry about it failing at high speed.

Given the steering column splines are not the sort of thing which people check regularly it is most likely that it will come as a surprise when they fail - thus it's not something you can plan for.

If you'd read the original post you'd see the OP's column was already broken and was being replaced.

I read it the same way M1100 did.

If you mean to say something a particular way, please write it that way and not in a way that contradicts the intent.

thomas_hb wrote:

MMmmm! Sounds good in theory, but there are lots of variables here. The teeth are usually damaged by a loose clamp over time. Sudden movements at 80km/h to dodge a pothole could provoke failure. We also have to remember that the stripped column has now been replaced with a secondhand one too. Perhaps it is just a good reminder to check the tightness of the clamp on our cars and if loose (perhaps consider removing and checking the spline on the rack and column and if building a car, check prior to fitting.

The Duckmeister wrote:

I read it the same way M1100 did.

If you mean to say something a particular way, please write it that way and not in a way that contradicts the intent.

/*head desk*/

Look, from the outset we know his column is already broken and he needs to replace it. Therefore I was not saying he should just bodge it and ignore it; which was M1100's misinterpretation.

Mr Miagi expressed a concern that it could happen at 80km/hr "on the hills".

All I said was that he needn't worry because a high-torque use of an ailing spline was going to break it before a low-torque use. Therefore, there's no need--once the column has been replaced--to drive around worrying about it.

If it wasn't spelt out enough for you to comprehend in the first place, perhaps you should read the original post once or twice before you start running your mouth off.

If you still don't understand the point I'm trying to make, I am happy to spell it out for you in a PM.

Author:	Mr Miagi [ Mon Jul 18, 2011 12:36 pm ]
Post subject:	Different lengths of steering columns?
Hey guys, Long time no post! Havnt driven the little beast out much lately, ive got to work on a few things before hand. One of them being the steering column (im assuming thats its name, but if not, im talking about the column running from the steering wheel to the cars interior floor). The base of the steering column came loose after the teeth wore completely down, thankfully as I was turning into a carpark (and not doing 80km/h through the hills)! I happened to have a replacement sitting at home, so fitted it in the carpark to get the beast home! Win! Anyway, its a good few inches longer (so the steering wheel sits higher) . But god dammit, I liked the old one. It was perfect for cruising. Are there different types of steering columns, or was my original one shortened? I can get photos/measurements later.

Author:	doogie [ Mon Jul 18, 2011 9:38 pm ]
Post subject:
Mk1 coloums, up to late 68ish are longer than mini k,mk2 & clubman coloums Doogie

Author:	gafmo [ Mon Jul 18, 2011 10:01 pm ]
Post subject:
default two diffident length of Columns. Wifes daily drive is easly longer than mine in the van. Its the Clubby that is Longer

Author:	thomas_hb [ Mon Jul 18, 2011 11:26 pm ]
Post subject:
Hrrrm, conflicting info. Is there a third opinion? When I stripped the splines of my Moke's column I just took it to the parts shop and asked for a direct replacement so I ddn't get much info from the guy at the shop. Miagi, You don't need to worry about losing the column splines at 80km/hr - when you're steering at low speeds more torque from your arms is required to turn the wheels. Therefore if you have weak teeth in the spline of your column, this is when they'll fail - not when you're applying very little torque to the steering wheel at higher speeds.

Author:	woodwormm [ Tue Jul 19, 2011 10:43 am ]
Post subject:
hmmm, diff length columns? wish i'd known that when figuring out where to place my seat mounts. anyone got the measures of diff columns? i like my flat wheel but was thinking of a dished to get the wheel a bit closer, maybe there's a longer column i can try??? is an 1100 column any good? we put one in a minor a few years back to get self cancelling indicators.... they may be another length again???

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Different lengths of steering columns? https://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=71915	Page 1 of 2

Author:	Morris 1100 [ Tue Jul 19, 2011 2:21 pm ]
Post subject:
thomas_hb wrote: You don't need to worry about losing the column splines at 80km/hr - when you're steering at low speeds more torque from your arms is required to turn the wheels. Therefore if you have weak teeth in the spline of your column, this is when they'll fail - not when you're applying very little torque to the steering wheel at higher speeds. Just keep driving down the freeway, it will be ok as long as you don't try to park it. Great advice! It will fail eventually. It may end up failing at speed. Don't risk it. There is a member of this forum that has a bad limp as a result of a column failing at speed.

Author:	thomas_hb [ Tue Jul 19, 2011 2:43 pm ]
Post subject:
That's not what I said Morris. I was suggesting that, once replaced, there's no need to worry about it failing at high speed. Given the steering column splines are not the sort of thing which people check regularly it is most likely that it will come as a surprise when they fail - thus it's not something you can plan for. If you'd read the original post you'd see the OP's column was already broken and was being replaced.

Author:	TheMiniMan [ Tue Jul 19, 2011 2:44 pm ]
Post subject:
from memory there is about 5 differnt length columns -->(if you count the moke ones) & yeah i think mokes are the shortest,,, then MK2/K type,,, then 850/deluxe(early),,, & then Leyland mini ones But that`s just from memory

Author:	Morris 1100 [ Tue Jul 19, 2011 2:57 pm ]
Post subject:
thomas_hb wrote: That's not what I said Morris. I was suggesting that, once replaced, there's no need to worry about it failing at high speed. Given the steering column splines are not the sort of thing which people check regularly it is most likely that it will come as a surprise when they fail - thus it's not something you can plan for. If you'd read the original post you'd see the OP's column was already broken and was being replaced. Funny, I quoted what you said and now you say it is not what you said. You really need to read what you post.

Author:	thomas_hb [ Tue Jul 19, 2011 3:02 pm ]
Post subject:
Yes you quoted me verbatim and still managed not to understand what was being said.

Author:	The Duckmeister [ Tue Jul 19, 2011 8:16 pm ]
Post subject:
I read it the same way M1100 did. If you mean to say something a particular way, please write it that way and not in a way that contradicts the intent.

Author:	Monaco [ Tue Jul 19, 2011 8:22 pm ]
Post subject:
thomas_hb wrote: You don't need to worry about losing the column splines at 80km/hr - when you're steering at low speeds more torque from your arms is required to turn the wheels. Therefore if you have weak teeth in the spline of your column, this is when they'll fail - not when you're applying very little torque to the steering wheel at higher speeds. MMmmm! Sounds good in theory, but there are lots of variables here. The teeth are usually damaged by a loose clamp over time. Sudden movements at 80km/h to dodge a pothole could provoke failure. We also have to remember that the stripped column has now been replaced with a secondhand one too. Perhaps it is just a good reminder to check the tightness of the clamp on our cars and if loose (perhaps consider removing and checking the spline on the rack and column and if building a car, check prior to fitting.

Author:	thomas_hb [ Tue Jul 19, 2011 8:26 pm ]
Post subject:
The Duckmeister wrote: I read it the same way M1100 did. If you mean to say something a particular way, please write it that way and not in a way that contradicts the intent. /head desk/ Look, from the outset we know his column is already broken and he needs to replace it. Therefore I was not saying he should just bodge it and ignore it; which was M1100's misinterpretation. Mr Miagi expressed a concern that it could happen at 80km/hr "on the hills". All I said was that he needn't worry because a high-torque use of an ailing spline was going to break it before a low-torque use. Therefore, there's no need--once the column has been replaced--to drive around worrying about it. If it wasn't spelt out enough for you to comprehend in the first place, perhaps you should read the original post once or twice before you start running your mouth off. If you still don't understand the point I'm trying to make, I am happy to spell it out for you in a PM.

Author:	thomas_hb [ Tue Jul 19, 2011 8:28 pm ]
Post subject:
Monaco wrote: thomas_hb wrote: You don't need to worry about losing the column splines at 80km/hr - when you're steering at low speeds more torque from your arms is required to turn the wheels. Therefore if you have weak teeth in the spline of your column, this is when they'll fail - not when you're applying very little torque to the steering wheel at higher speeds. MMmmm! Sounds good in theory, but there are lots of variables here. The teeth are usually damaged by a loose clamp over time. Sudden movements at 80km/h to dodge a pothole could provoke failure. We also have to remember that the stripped column has now been replaced with a secondhand one too. Perhaps it is just a good reminder to check the tightness of the clamp on our cars and if loose (perhaps consider removing and checking the spline on the rack and column and if building a car, check prior to fitting. Periodic checking of the lower clamp is probably a very good idea, yes.

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