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MG MGB Technical - steering column compatability

Hi,

Would a later shock absorbing/collapsible steering column fit a 1972 or a 1973 gt? Not just the fitment in the body-shell but the swapping over of cowl and steering lock etc.

Ta in advance.
Iwan Jones

Anything is possible with enough time, ingenuity and money, but I very much doubt it would go in the body without significant modification of one or the other. The UJ is recessed further into the bulkhead with a different UJ, and the column mounting points are completely different. There is also the question of how the CB rack on the CB crossmember would meet the column at the UJ i.e. whether one or other shaft is too long or too short.

The later column used different switches and a larger cowl, and the instruments were smaller to cope with this.

Paul Hunt

Thanks Paul.

Forget about 72 body etc. Will the collapsible steering wheel take the cowl, indicators and lock of an earlier circa 1972 car.
Iwan Jones

Again, with suitable modification, although I wouldn't want to fit a different locking arrangement in case it wasn't quite right and it engaged while driving. The earlier cowls are split top and bottom and screw into each other, whereas the later are split side to side and screw in to brackets. The indicator switch may fit if the location lug is in the same place and has the same outside diameter. 77 and later columns used a completely different cancelling arrangement involving a rotating fitting as part of the switch that engaged with the back of the steering wheel. Earlier used a cam on the column shaft acting on fingers of the switch.
Paul Hunt

This thread was discussed between 14/11/2014 and 16/11/2014

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