Stripping whole car to bare shell. Engine is out. Now pulling out front sub-frame but steering column is holding me up.
My car is now up on stands with hydro de-pressurized. I have disconnected the hydro lines, undone two sub-frame bolts at front, 4 under floor pan, and two of the four at the top either side of hydro bags (two left in until ready) and jack under sub-frame supporting and ready to lower. I have also undone the four steering rack bolts on fire wall and the steering column support bracket and the lower pinch bolt at the bottom. The manual says to pull steering column out at this point but how hard do you pull it? Do I need to open the pinch bolt bracket at the bottom a bit more where I took the bolt out? Is it easier to disconnect the steering arms and leave it in until later or bring out all out in one lot? No how to on this so just checking. Either way I will need to get the steering column out at some stage. Thanks.

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Flute - 68 MK I Cooper S
Member: VMCI #2474
Member: International Mini Model Collectors Club

as long as you have the pinch bolt out of the column, it WILL pull out. I once wrecked a paddock basher clubman and thought it was OK to just loosen the pinch bolt. Took a front end loader holding the shell down and a crane pulling up on it to separate them...

put the U bolts back through the floor so the rack is straight and secure, but don't do them up tight, you want the column to be able to pull straight on the spline

sit in the drivers seat, hold on to the steering wheel and yank the bastard off

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

OK, thanks, will have another go. I wont sit in seat because there isn't one but I get what you mean. Steering wheel is off but can put back on easy enough, maybe that is the problem. Didn't realise it was going to be that tight. I will have to be careful because car is now up on stands. My questions might sound dumb but as a novice having a go for the first time it pays to ask if in doubt. Cheers.

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Flute - 68 MK I Cooper S
Member: VMCI #2474
Member: International Mini Model Collectors Club

you can lever it off from the bottom, but are likely to bend things - I'd put the seat back in too... sometimes they pop off, sometimes they don't

oh, and yeah, have a go at putting a big screwdriver between the pinch ear thingys and see if you can open it up a bit

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

OK, thanks heaps. (again!!)

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Flute - 68 MK I Cooper S
Member: VMCI #2474
Member: International Mini Model Collectors Club

Got it off by pulling harder and got away without steering wheel or seat going back in! Whole front sub-frame is now out and I am very happy! Now for the back one if I can figure that out. More questions coming up no doubt! Cheers.

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Flute - 68 MK I Cooper S
Member: VMCI #2474
Member: International Mini Model Collectors Club

But please be careful not to damage the splines, spread the clamping split too much or disturb the pinion seating...have you dropped the parcel shelf mount as well?

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"Show me the Mini!"

Yes, dropped parcel shelf mount already and then did as Simon said, gave it a firm but gentle pull and it came out without any damage. Sub-frame out now as well. Thanks.

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Flute - 68 MK I Cooper S
Member: VMCI #2474
Member: International Mini Model Collectors Club

Check the splines in the column, and also check that when the clamp bolt tight, that there is still a gap there. If not, get Mr Anglegrinder and a cutting disc, recut the slot. Make the slot a little longer, then it clamps better.

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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.