this might sound dumb but could u just use a plastic 1 at botyh ends ? i think it should work

_________________
lookin for another clubby

I get worried when I hear about people playing in this area. I particular, spline and pinch bolt. If you don't know what you are doing it can result in a loss of steering!!

So be careful and make sure you know how things are supposed to go back together by using a manual or a mechanic!

_________________
"Show me the Mini!"

Yes I agree - it isn't a good thing that the lower bush is stuffed, but it *shouldn't* end badly. But you must always make sure the pinch bolt at the bottom is connected correctly. Triple check it for tightness, or as Mick says you could end up with no steering at all. Kinda like understeer, but much harder to recover from as you fall off the edge of the road into a retaining wall or something!

I am currently reading Works Rally Mechanic by Brian Moylan who worked in the BMC/BL Works Rally dept from 1955 to 1979 and in the Alpine Rally (around 1962) he has a heading...

Mechanics Error:

QUOTE

But it was not mechanical failure that put out the Mini Cooper driven by Johnny Sprinzel. He was flat out on a downhill stretch when his steering column became detached from the rack. Terry Mitchell, from the MG design office, was in the service car that arrived at the scene first and he immediately noticed that the clamp-bolt was still in position in the steering column. The splined spigot of the steering rack pinion, to which the column is attached, has a groove cut across it.

The column has a clamp that the clamp-bolt passes through and the column must be pushed down onto the spigot far enough for the clamp-bolt to pass through the groove. It is possible for the bolt to go through the clamp before the column is fully home on the spigot and when it is tightened it will feel secure, but a good jerk upwards will disconnect the column from the steering rack. That is what had happened in this case. The consequent loss of steering caused the car to crash into the mountainside. But it would have been much more serious had it gone the other way – where there was nothing to stop the car from disappearing over the edge. Although the car was a write-off, the crew, Johhny Sprinzel and willy Cave, escaped unscathed.

UNQUOTE

Please be careful out there people!

_________________
"Show me the Mini!"

A friend of mine had a new rack fitted by a `Mini place' recently. Drove it about for a week. One night he turned a corner, the column spun on the pinion shaft, the car went ahead, up the gutter and demolished a fence. Nobody hurt. Could have been MUCH worse. As 9YaTaH knows...

Problem was, the pinch nut had been tightened over the years as the spline had worn, eventually there was no gap in the `split' where the bolt goes. And maybe, the new spline on the rack was smaller too. So, it didn't clamp properly.
If yours looks like this, take it off and check it. If the spline inside looks alright, recut the slit with a hacksaw, use 2 blades together for a wider cut.
If the spline is pretty much gone, go find a better column, and check there is a gap there still, after the bolt is tight..

BTW this 1/4" UNF bolt is under a lot of stress. Use a `Grade 8' one (6 lines on the head) preferably, and a Grade 8 nut. Do it up, tight- no column movement up/down at all. NEVER use a cheapo bolt from the hardware store...

_________________
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.

Well said Doc, you can nut be to careful in this area

(PS checked your PMs lately )

BTW did you call into Waggotts on your way back from Speed on the Tweed?

_________________
"Show me the Mini!"

Hi Mick,
Sorry, but I won't be able to make the Canberra run on Oct weekend. The later one is possible though.

re Waggotts- no. Forgot where it was. And wherever, Virgin Airlines don't stop there enroute...

_________________
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.