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Tiger tamer

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:confused:

Not sure whaty is going on here. The steering column is niot fitting into the bracket all the way and can't be lifted any higher as it is hitting the bulkhead.

005_zpseb8c612e.jpg


Also should there be some sort of rubber bush between the column and the braket.

006_zpsc209d0d8.jpg
 
You are missing the cut out in the upper bulkhead. Mine has a cutout on both sides in the upper bulkhead for RT or LFT hand drive.

Not good and very, very strange that you don't.
 
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Mal,

i have to agree with Duke on this.. you seem to be missing the recess in the scuttle for the column, very odd.. You r caris an original RHD car isnt it that was found in germany? RRO tiger?

Not sure if its a change from the round corner early MKI to the later MKIA like mine and duke. but we have the recess on both sides for LHD and RHD.. i nkow early tunnels on LRX cars are different without the provision for the RHD headlight dimmer..

here is a pic of my car.. you can se the 2 recess for the coulmn on LHS and RHS... no sur how you can fix it.. wihtout a bit of bating on the area..

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2264372420054462410xtFFyG

 
You have driven it as I recall you saying. Is there a piece missing between bracket and body? Looks like if the bracket were lowered 3/8" or so, it would come together.
 
Hi Mal, my car doesn't have the cut outs in the bulkhead and is a late MK1.

Was the panel that the bracket attaches to under the dash replaced? The column bracket may need some spacers between it and the panel.

There is a strip of rubber that goes between the column and the bracket in the engine bay.
I'll post some pics in a bit.
 
Column Bracket

I have heard there are two different column brackets. There is a difference in the height. The top section is shorter and lower section longer on one version. I know someone who used the shorter brackets to "raise" their steering wheel. Not sure if the different bracket was sourced from Tiger or an Alpine. Maybe your arrangement is why there are 2 different brackets?
 
While are at it- did you take the column apart and lubricate the bearings ? Usually they have dried out over the years ...
 
Steering brackets

Bernd,

Randie is 100% correct. There ARE two different bracket assemblies for the steering column, one assembly has an upper piece about 1/4" longer than the other, most likely for the very problem you have encountered. The top piece is longer and the bottom piece is shorter, so that the overall length is the same, regardless of which bracket assembly you use. Make sure you get both pieces as they are a matched set.

Even though I have the bulkhead cutouts in my car, I actually installed the longer upper bracket and shorter lower bracket in order to lower my steering wheel to make it more confortable while driving. I can't remember exactly, but I may have slightly bent up the engine compartment support to compensate for the steering wheel drop.

There is no bushing between the steering column and the dash bracket. If you do put in a bushing, make sure it is a very thin slice of hard rubber or your steering will not feel as secure. Paper gasket material may work as well.

Gary
 
Rubber Bushing Applications

Bernd,

Randie is 100% correct. There ARE two different bracket assemblies for the steering column, one assembly has an upper piece about 1/4" longer than the other, most likely for the very problem you have encountered. The top piece is longer and the bottom piece is shorter, so that the overall length is the same, regardless of which bracket assembly you use. Make sure you get both pieces as they are a matched set.

Even though I have the bulkhead cutouts in my car, I actually installed the longer upper bracket and shorter lower bracket in order to lower my steering wheel to make it more confortable while driving. I can't remember exactly, but I may have slightly bent up the engine compartment support to compensate for the steering wheel drop.

There is no bushing between the steering column and the dash bracket. If you do put in a bushing, make sure it is a very thin slice of hard rubber or your steering will not feel as secure. Paper gasket material may work as well.

Gary

Ditto with Gary. I also get a lot of use out of old inner tubes and a pair of scissors for rubber isolation.
 
This is how mine is. Think it's from factory if you want that authentic look.

P1020191Large.jpg

This is factory correct.....at least on the Mark 1 cars. Rick@ SS has these rubber isolators and they come with a molded shoulder on both ends just like the the originals.

Moondoggie
 
Thanks for the pic tiger 260. Thats what I thought was there. If Rick has them, then the NZ Sunbeam club may have them as well as they buy a lot of parts from him.
Nice to know about the two different bracket lengths. There must have been spacers there before, but they weren't in the bag with the brackets :confused:.

How do you get the column apart to lube the bearings ?.

Thanks Mal
 
It has beenquite a while . Anyhow take the lower circlip off then the spring will follow. Some shim as well. Be careful not loose any of the small steel balls. The ball race can be removed by gently drifting a small screwdriver between the outer steering and the outer race flange. Remove the center rod. Top side also has a ball bearing. If the balls are all there and still ok pack them with the heaviest grease you find. A bit fiddly job but absolutely worthwhile...
 
To give you a point of reference, the bracket on my car, when measured at the centre of the bracket from the underside of the dash panel to the inner edge of the circular part that holds the steering column is 108mm.

With the column out I can see that the holes in the bracket, the bulkhead and the bracket in the engine bay all line up, just missing the edge of the scuttle.
 
CAUTION Ditto CAUTION

It has beenquite a while . Anyhow take the lower circlip off then the spring will follow. Some shim as well. Be careful not loose any of the small steel balls. The ball race can be removed by gently drifting a small screwdriver between the outer steering and the outer race flange. Remove the center rod. Top side also has a ball bearing. If the balls are all there and still ok pack them with the heaviest grease you find. A bit fiddly job but absolutely worthwhile...

There are 21 of those little nightmare ball bearings per end. Don't forget the leather seal under the shim. Actually, if it moves without nasty noises, simply soak it in heavy oil as is and leave it in one piece . . . . . .
 
It has beenquite a while . Anyhow take the lower circlip off then the spring will follow. Some shim as well. Be careful not loose any of the small steel balls. The ball race can be removed by gently drifting a small screwdriver between the outer steering and the outer race flange. Remove the center rod. Top side also has a ball bearing. If the balls are all there and still ok pack them with the heaviest grease you find. A bit fiddly job but absolutely worthwhile...

There are 21 of those little nightmare ball bearings per end. Don't forget the leather seal under the shim. Actually, if it moves without nasty noises, simply soak it in heavy oil as is and leave it in one piece . . . . . .


Thanks for the instruction. It was a bit stiff and grumbly so I pulled it apart and greased them up. Runs much smoother now.

Cheers.
 
Mal, I need to revise the info I gave you yesterday.

Having gone for an adventure and good old root around under the dash I've noticed that the edge of the scuttle has been 'massaged' with a mallet to raise the corner by about 8mm.
I assume this was the pre-cutout modification to make the column fit.

Would yours fit with this 'adjustment'?
 
Mal, I need to revise the info I gave you yesterday.

Having gone for an adventure and good old root around under the dash I've noticed that the edge of the scuttle has been 'massaged' with a mallet to raise the corner by about 8mm.
I assume this was the pre-cutout modification to make the column fit.

Would yours fit with this 'adjustment'?

What it apears to be is the dash panel the bracket connects to, is sitting a little higher than before. It all came apart to rid the car of cancer. The top dash screw holes are not lining up as well. That will be why I had no spacers in the bag with the brackets from dissasembly. I will have to work around it. Everything else is fitting fine. Thanks for the help.
Cheers Mal.
 
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