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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Steering bush

Just had the midget (1974) back from MOT, which it passed I am pleased to say, but with a comment from the garage that there was play at the upper end of the steering column that would require a new upper bush.

I can see this item in the Moss parts catalogue but my question is how is the old one removed and the new fitted? Is it just a case of pulling off the steering wheel and prising it out, or is it a 'column out' out job? the play I can feel is only a few mm at worst

Thanks for any help.

Andy
Andy Davies

i think it is column out so that you can separate the inner and outer - then pull or drift out the origional and push/press fit the new.
Mick - still wiring!!

It is actually possible to prise it out, as you suggest. Give it a go.
Dave O'Neill2

I think it needs soaking in oil first, which is a tad messy, but you can prise it out of the tube.

You might find it quite awkward getting the new one in and it may be longer than the one you take out

Mine was but Uncle Stanley's favourite knife soon sorted that out

And you may need to keep wiping the column later to stop oil dripping down onto your best chinos
Bill1

I think a '74 will have a nylon bush rather than felt.

A lot less messy.
Dave O'Neill2

I think, Dave's right,

at some point, the bushings changed from felt to a rigid (nylon? polyacetel?) piece, and the Moss catalog illustrates how to tell the difference:

http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=1666

items #3 & 4 (felt) became 11 & 12 (resin)


Replacing them is easiest on the bench, but maybe the top one can be done in the car. As I recall, I had to drive my old bushings out from the other end, with a long shaft and a suitably sized drift, I would not have been able to do that without first removing the column from the car. But to just replace the top one, you might get lucky without having to do that extra step.

Norm
Norm Kerr

We learns as we lives :-)

Shame about that though

Nylon?

I rather think my soldering iron would be engaged in melting and moving nylon closer to the column just before the next MOT thus taking out most/all of the sloppiness

That's if you don't enjoy taking the column out, stripping it down and reassembling
Bill1

This thread was discussed between 27/04/2012 and 28/04/2012

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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